First Week

I got tired of paying the price of my Mack 3 blades and decided to try a straight. I dug out my Grandfathers Henkel Straight which was in excellent condition just not used in many years. It was dull and I honed it using the optic film method. I got it sharp enough to slice arm hair at mid point. It would tug a little but cut it at mid length with no problem I started on my right dominate side. The first time I held my head so straight I had a stiff neck all day. After a week I have managed to do my whole right side. Although I have managed to nick myself just ahead of my right ear on my cheek and on my neck below my ear. Nothing serious just a couple of tiny nicks. I did strop with less than good success. I think my technique needs a little work. I think I lifted off the strop when I changed direction resulting in dulling the razor. At this point I think I will give it a couple of days with my Mack 3 and let the nicks heal up. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

unusual - getting a shaveable edge w/ little or no experience honing.

Bravo for guts & choosing quality.

You would likely find the experience a bit different - likely alot more pleasant w/ a pro-quality honing on that Henckel. A second blade for backup (needn't be expensive) is a good idea also - especially if you wish to continue w/ your own edges. The pro edge would serve as a standard against which to evaluate your work.

Minor nicks? Sheesh. I was a bloody mess. 'Hope you keep up w/ it. It really would be worth the effort to have the pro edge. It sounds like you will learn very quickly. The vids on stropping & Glen's (gssixgun) thread on strops would be time well spent.

'Hope you get to enjoy it very soon. Keep in touch.

A couple of things in your post made me raise a brow.
I love my heirloom razors. Not only is it a little piece of history, but it is my family history. It would be a wise choice to pick up an inexpensive razor out of the classifieds, to protect that great Henckels from new user errors.
The second thing is that when first learning to shave it is good to limit the variables, so when you hit bumps in the road how to get to glorious shaves, the path is much more clear. You may want to consider a professional honing or if you are going to buy an alternate to your heirloom razor, get one that is shave ready from someone you trust knows a shave ready edge.
I think you path of learning is on track. Go slow and start with the easy stuff until you have the comfort to expand your shave and skills. The basic learning really does go quick. I doubt that any of us ever finish learning though. As we age our skin and faces change making the shave change little by little.
I hope you find the love of shaving that I have

Yep a good pro honed in a or will make your learning easier, and lots of practice with stropping, a butter knife and a belt will do to get your stropping fine tuned as to pressure and keeping the blade flat ,, watch some videos the stropping is the most important aspect to learn, this is a daily maintenance routine that will keep your blade shaving well. Tc

I forgot to mention that my wife is giving me a Boker for Christmas. I thought it best to get a new razor so I could get the feeling of a new sharp razor as opposed to a questionable edge. I can see that this is going to be a learning process. I already enjoy the new experience but want to go slow. I can't wait to take a shower in the morning lather up and go at it. Like I said I think I need to take a break for a day or two just to heal up those little nicks.

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Originally Posted by dmacy

I forgot to mention that my wife is giving me a Boker for Christmas. I thought it best to get a new razor so I could get the feeling of a new sharp razor as opposed to a questionable edge. I can see that this is going to be a learning process. I already enjoy the new experience but want to go slow. I can't wait to take a shower in the morning lather up and go at it. Like I said I think I need to take a break for a day or two just to heal up those little nicks.

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I've read your original post in this thread and the input from others and I will tell you straight out that unless you have an Actual Shave Ready Edge then you won't be able to have a decent shave.

As far as doing your own honing right out of the gate? Please Don't. I worked as a meat cutter for several years and I thought that honing a straight razor would be no problem. Guess what? PROBLEM!!!

Please do yourself and those blades a favor and send them out for a professional honing! Then as pinklather said you will have a standard to judge your own honing by LATER DOWN THE ROAD!

Right now you have more on your plate than you can chew! You need to learn proper stropping, lathering let alone proper Shaving Techniques.

Please go slow! This age old art takes patience. but with patients, you will find an older but better way of shaving. :tu

It's a long strange road but well worth the journey! :y

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

Who is the dealer your getting your new razor from? New does not mean honed. If from the right guys they will hone it before sending it to you. Tc

I don't know where she is getting it I will have to ask. She gets kind of protective about saying too much about Christmas stuff. If it isn't honed I will have it honed even before I look at it. As a matter of fact I might have it checked out any way. There is a local guy who is outstanding.

Thanks for all the input.

One day away from shaving with a straight and I miss it all ready. I have a meeting to go to tonight and I wanted my little nicks heeled up and did't want any new ones when I go.

Tomorrow it is game on again. Can't wait

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

I worked as a meat cutter for several years and I thought that honing a straight razor would be no problem. Guess what? PROBLEM!!!

It's a long strange road but well worth the journey! :y

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

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I'll second that. I've been sharpening knives of all variations since I was 8. I could put a wicked edge on a knife. I thought once I had a good finishing stone and a few intermediate steps I'd breeze right through honing a straight. A year later I'm starting to get edges that would be considered shave ready. It's a simple process that's tough to master. It only takes one little thing wrong in the process to ruin an edge.