Thread: Practice Straight Razor - Blunt

I am new to using a SR when I wanted to start practicing I just bought a new one this helped my confidence plus I bought my SR from SRD when Lynn Abrams does the honing, and it shaved great, also I practiced stropping with butter knife before received my SR, and while I was waiting for my new SR, I did purchase a blunt SR a Gold Dollar, but I did that because I want to use that for honing when I'm ready that way I won't mess up a good SR if I don't do it correctly, well that's my take, hope it helps

You can get this cheap. Install the blade, then tape the edge. It will be an adequate analog for practice...



Diane Shaper Stainless Steel * With 3 Guards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UN3CW..._J4TOwbXYCQS4D

Originally Posted by leftyonly

You can get this cheap. Install the blade, then tape the edge. It will be an adequate analog for practice...



Diane Shaper Stainless Steel * With 3 Guards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UN3CW..._J4TOwbXYCQS4D

Thank you, Leftyonly, but I already purchased the Gold Dollar Practice SR - Blunt.

If you find it not blunt enough, then run the edge vertically over a glass bottle. Essentially, try to use the razor as a knife to cut the bottle open. Just use light pressure, the weight of the blade is usually enough to flatten any edge out. It's called bread knifing the blade.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

If you find it not blunt enough, then run the edge vertically over a glass bottle. Essentially, try to use the razor as a knife to cut the bottle open. Just use light pressure, the weight of the blade is usually enough to flatten any edge out. It's called bread knifing the blade.

Thank you, Criswilson10, for your very helpful tip! When my Practice Gold Dollar Blunt SR arrives, I will remember your tip and I "bread knife" the blade if it isn't blunt enough. FYI, I did my SECOND shave this morning with my Ralf Aust 3/8" Rosewood SR. Actually used it on my whole face, including my left side with my left hand! Didn't really do too bad (IMHO), had a couple of nicks around the chin area. I was very cautious and kept the blade angle pretty close to my face which resulted in a "not too smooth" shave. I did 2 passes with the straight and then did a "clean up" pass with my DE Muhle R89 Twist. End results very smooth shave!! Also as I was stropping my Ralf Aust (very cautiously, and slowly), and I put a couple of very small nicks on my leather strop near the ends. I have a SRD 3" "Natural" strop with the premium linen backing. I will be practicing my stropping with my Gold Dollar Practice SR - Blunt when it arrives. I will use your "bread knifing" tip to make sure that I do not cut my strop. Thanks again for your help!

To make sure you don't cut the strop, don't strop too slow & practice on a single sheet of news paper suspended from a clamp.
Also don't touchdown on the flip until you have reversed direction.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

To make sure you don't cut the strop, don't strop too slow & practice on a single sheet of news paper suspended from a clamp.
Also don't touchdown on the flip until you have reversed direction.

Thanks for the tips!!

It seems I am late to the party, I was going to suggest that if you really want to to go down the blunt razor path buying a gold dollar or other razor for about $6 from eBay and running the edge over something to really blunt it.
I wouldn't suggest taping the edge as I imagine the tape will provide a fair bit of resistance when shaving.

Hi edhewitt, You are not too late to join the "party" (just bring a liter of single malt scotch with you)! I agree with you and I wasn't planning on taping the edge for exactly the reason you gave! Thank you for posting!

Originally Posted by ironmaned1987

Hi edhewitt, You are not too late to join the "party" (just bring a liter of single malt scotch with you)! I agree with you and I wasn't planning on taping the edge for exactly the reason you gave! Thank you for posting!

I taped the edge when I did it and it doesnt increase the resistance at all. It does negate any possibilities of slicing an ear off however.
Ps. can I havce a dram?