Thread: MY SR journey so far.....

So I got my first straight razor for Christmas. It was a professionally restored & shave ready vintage Wostenholm & Sons. I am guessing it had a quarter hollow grind. In hindsight I am not sure that it was the best choice for a straight razor green horn. I had some OK shaves and some that felt like I my face had been swiped by a pissed of tiger. I had the expected nick here and there. I wasn't making any progress and I couldn't figure out if I had damaged the blade or not.

So I did the irrational thing and I picked up another straight razor. It was Ralf Aust with a full hollow grind from SRP. When I shave with it and it was a totally different experience. I was like the shaving heavens opened and I have had my best straight razor shaves with it. The shaves aren't yet on par with with best safety razor shaves but I have renewed hope that I am back on the road to a fantastic shaves with a straight razor.

I also found that I really like how this new razor performs. There is something magical a full hollow razor when you use light pressure as you shave. You can barely feel the razor and yet you can hear the razor mercilessly cutting stubble.

My best guess is that I damaged the edge on Wostenholm with poor stropping technique. To test that theory, I have sent it off to be honed by a well respected honemeister. I am anxious to get it back and shave with it again.

Originally Posted by jcall1975

My best guess is that I damaged the edge on Wostenholm with poor stropping technique. To test that theory, I have sent it off to be honed by a well respected honemeister. I am anxious to get it back and shave with it again.

Glad to hear you're doing well. Ask your honemeister for feedback, thr Wostenholm should be a great shaver. Post some pics, we like pics.

congratulations on the success! it will get better with practice. My Wostenholm is one of my favorite razors as is a quarter hollow ground, give it another chance once you get it back. of course everybody has their favorite blade so YMMV.

I will definitely give it another shot. Since the Wostenholm is in the mail this crappy cell phone picture will have to do.

I like the contrast of an old blade with translucent acrylic scales.

I think that after being in the hands of a honemeister you will find the Wosty will be a fantastic shaver. Pretty sharp looking to boot.

Pete <:-}

jcall1975-- can you tell us about your strop? Maybe we can help you there.

I started with a 2.5" hanging strop and it never clicked for me. My edges deteriorated rapidly due to poor stropping. A couple months ago I bought a 3" hanging strop and it made all the difference in the world.

I started with a 2.5" and I found it difficult to strop correctly. I upgraded to the SRD Modular Paddle Strop before buying the second razor, but I am pretty sure the damage had been done to the Wostenholm by that time.

Originally Posted by jcall1975

I started with a 2.5" and I found it difficult to strop correctly. I upgraded to the SRD Modular Paddle Strop before buying the second razor, but I am pretty sure the damage had been done to the Wostenholm by that time.

Be sure to keep the 2.5 strop. When you have the technique down with the modular you may wish to return to the 2.5. Some find the 2.5 better than 3. As in a recent thread in the stropping forum, it's very much a YMMV typr thing.

I do think you have found the problem with your first razor. Incorrect stropping technique. A very common problem with new straight razor newbies. Good catch! Smooth shaves to you and welcome to SRP.


Mike

Well, I heard back from my honemeister. He had some challenges honing the edge. He had two use two layers of tape. He suggested that when I shave the lowest angle possible. Apparently this blade will be challenging to most users. I am a little bummed. Hopefully I am not the only guy to be seduced by a good looking set of scales.