Help and Tips please

Hello everyone,

I don't get to do much on this site since just reading the threads gives me answers before I even had a question. But I could use some help now. First I am 40+ shaves in. I have 2 razors, One used a Sheffield that I bought here with about 25 shaves in and one new Dovo that I bought at a reputable source with about 15 shaves in.

1st - both razors feel different, is that a thing? I dont know how the Sheffield was sharped, I'm pretty sure it was done top notch, I bought it from one of the moderators on this site, and the Dovo was sharped on a cuticle.

2nd - I'm tempted to say, actually I am saying the Sheffield feels better. is that a thing, different stones, different results?

3rd - I am having trouble with my stopping technique. I use a SRD paddle strop. I have no problem going up the strop, but when I come down(back), I cannot keep my thumb in place, to lay it flat coming down my thumb rolls to side of the spine. its seems from all the videos and articles your hand needs to be able to do a 180?

4th - Diamond sprays I just used the sprayed strop on the Dovo 1 or 2 shaves ago and can't tell difference

thanks Guys,

Mafuzul

1) yes different grinds, metals and size razors feel different.

2) the edge left by different stones does vary between different synthetic stones any greatly between natural stones.

3) check out the sticky by afdavis in the stropping forum. The flip is all done with 2 fingers the thumb and index finger.

4) more information would help. How was it applied and to what. How many laps?

#1&2 Different grinds will feel different when in use due to heft, the grind difference and also the finishing hone used. But when the edges are done properly you should be getting great shaves.
#3. Flipping is done with two fingers as stated above. You can practice with a butter knife for example.
#4. Diamond sprays will be effective when the edge is not degraded to the point where it needs to see a hone.

thanks guys,

I've seen that video before, I'll watch it again a hundred times over if I have to and continue practicing:) its funny I never paid attention to the 2 fingers. So, I think I'm doing right, just not as good.

the Diamond spray I did just like Lynn Abrams video explaines. I sprayed the felt pad up and down 2 times let it dry over night and 5 to 10 light strokes with the razor. I did 10 strokes after about 15 shaves. the razor wasn't necessarily pulling but just trying to do what all videos and threads suggest.

Mafuzul

1 as noted different grinds etc all add to different feels
2 The good old Sheffield vs Solingen steel comes into debate again
3 I think 90% of my flipping motion is done with the thumb alone rolling on the bottom of the tang and the rest is a slight wrist roll to get all the way
A definate must practice and try perfect as you could have rolled your edge or just not stropping the edge enough
4 if your stropping technique is out it will reflect with the spray or paste etc also as you will only be polishing the spine not the edge if you are not rotating enough

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Substance

The good old Sheffield vs Solingen steel comes into debate again

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Don't wanna start another debate, just wanted to mention that they both feel very differnet favoring the Sheffield:)

I don't think I rolled the edge yet (hopefully) on the Dovo since I do get what I think is good shaves from it, but its only been 15+ shaves so far. I think I read here somewhere to skip a stropping session and shave with that to feel the difference between a shave ready and not shave ready razor, good Idea? do you think that could also help me gauge where my stropping is at?

thanks,

Mafuzul

Shave ready is more about edge refinement than stropping and letting an edge degrade due to not stropping is never a good idea. If you have done 10 laps on the diamond try 10 more. If this doesn't try 10 more and if that doesn't help it probably needs a refreshing on the stones. The longer you leave refreshing an edge the more it takes to bring it back so regular use is better than waiting and doing more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eddy79

Shave ready is more about edge refinement than stropping and letting an edge degrade due to not stropping is never a good idea. If you have done 10 laps on the diamond try 10 more. If this doesn't try 10 more and if that doesn't help it probably needs a refreshing on the stones. The longer you leave refreshing an edge the more it takes to bring it back so regular use is better than waiting and doing more.

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is there any chance the dovo didn't need to be refreshened and taking it to the diamond didnt do anything because it didnt need it. let me clarify where I'm at. I bought it brand new shave ready of a cuticle. I shaved let say 17 times with it - only with the grain. The razor is not pulling from what I can feel. I do a lot of reading on this site because I have a cake job, and just wanna stay ahead and not fall behind. have any of you rolled an edge and shaved with it? would I be able to tell as a newbie? how often do you guys refresh an edge with diamond sprays?

thanks Guys

I started my S.R. Shaving journey using a paddle strop. I became a convert to a regular leather barber strop quickly. I like being about to adjust the tension on the strop and watch the edge of the blade stick to the leather.

To me, Sheffields feels more mellow than Solingens regardless of honing technique. Both shave fine if sharp and I like them both, but they do "feel" different to me.

I find the Dovo blades to be too harsh using just the diamond pastes. So after I use diamond on them, I run them over a CrOx strop to ease the harshness.

If you have rolled an edge you will hear it scraping on the strop. You may also see it if you look at the bevel under a bright light. If you shave with it, you will definitely feel a rolled edge and quickly grab a styptic pencil (been there, done that).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mafuzul1

is there any chance the dovo didn't need to be refreshened and taking it to the diamond didnt do anything because it didnt need it. let me clarify where I'm at. I bought it brand new shave ready of a cuticle. I shaved let say 17 times with it - only with the grain. The razor is not pulling from what I can feel. I do a lot of reading on this site because I have a cake job, and just wanna stay ahead and not fall behind. have any of you rolled an edge and shaved with it? would I be able to tell as a newbie? how often do you guys refresh an edge with diamond sprays?

thanks Guys

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I agree with cw10 - to me, the Sheffields feel much softer than say a Filarmonica, not necessarily better, just different - I wouldn't trade a shave with a Filarmonica any day...they are both superior razors IMO.

Now the new production Dovo's, in my opinion, just aren't up to par. I have a new Dovo Bismarck, had it honed twice by two different pro honers, and it has *never* delivered a nice shave, never got a close shave from it yet. Now the Dovo Best Quality 1/2 hollow was far better, still not a stellar razor IMO.

So from my perspective, I think the problem may be in the razor itself, I have new TI's that have never had this problem, yet I've read a few that aren't satisfied with the production razors from Dovo....again, just my opinion.

From your original post, if it is shaving fine, no pulling or tugging, maybe your looking for a problem where there isn't one. I'd wait until I noticed a [slight] drop off in shave quality before worrying about stropping on diamond spray. If it ain't broke,....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mafuzul1

3rd - I am having trouble with my stopping technique. I use a SRD paddle strop. I have no problem going up the strop, but when I come down(back), I cannot keep my thumb in place, to lay it flat coming down my thumb rolls to side of the spine. its seems from all the videos and articles your hand needs to be able to do a 180?

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The razor does a 180 but not the hand.
What you may not realise is the action of the remaining fingers that cradle the blade. It's a bit like rolling a pencil in your fingertips, in fact a pencil would be perfect to practice the movement.

Watch AFDavis11's video again & see how all 4 fingers are rolling the razor.

I think taipaijake and criswilson10 might be on to something. maybe the Dovo doesnt need a touch up, and I would definitly feel it if I rolled the edge on the Dovo. maybe my stopping technique is not that bad, just need more practice flipping the razor over...tonight I continue my journey:)

what stropping problem:rock:

Hello again, back to my original post I noticed different steels feel different. the consensus was well they do for various reasons (read previous posts). I now have 3 razors, 1 made in Sheffield, a joseph, smith and son and 2 made in Solingen, a dovo and a new revisor. as I mentioned earlier I preferred the Sheffield to the dovo. now I shaved with the revisor a couple of times and I can honestly say the revisor just blew the other 2 away. so my questions is? Is there an end to this (awesomeness)? :rock:

I can't afford to keep buying razor after razor. My dovo is up for sale. can someone recommend a steel, a brand and what grit to have them sharpened to, etc, etc. To recap the Sheffield was sharpend up approx. 12,000 grit, the dovo on a cuticle and the revisor on a Belgium chunk followed my something else I cant remember. I would like to keep just 2 razors my first the Sheffield for sentimental reasons, and then 1 more.

I know people are gonna reply with something like there all kinds different combinations and its a matter of preference and stuff like that which I understand, but if a veteran could reply with there experience and an opinion which I understand is still an opinion, but it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks guys,

this is probably clear as mud to newbies like myself:shrug: