Thread: Newbie Questions

Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003

All is good.
First taking the time to do the sharpie test and pictures makes us feel like we taught something good.
I was just like you and off to the races as well.
You get a great shave and off to help another for us.
If you dont get a great shave, we all go back to start.
Wife and 2 kids, leaves little free time for sharpie tests and pictures.
I wish you the best. We want to know that you were successful.

Yeah, I felt bad after that post that after you guys went through the effort to teach me the test I didn't bother to do it. It bit me in the rear too, b/c I'm still not shave ready. Back to the drawing board. Gotta go find me a sharpie...

Originally Posted by Mohawkshaver1

Yeah, I felt bad after that post that after you guys went through the effort to teach me the test I didn't bother to do it. It bit me in the rear too, b/c I'm still not shave ready. Back to the drawing board. Gotta go find me a sharpie...

If you find a way to take a picture it is worth 1000 words.
There is no ME, there is WE the guys of SRP.
We will enlarge your picture and go over it in detail.
Before any of us speak, we cross reference all of our restores. When one speaks we all agree ...or there is a flurry of responses.

If you tap lightly with a ball peen hammer. On the to pin, backside(non show side) of your razor it will get rid of the sloppiness.
Dont hit the pin any harder than your thumbnail. Tap the ABCs not just the center of the pin.,tap the pin at a slight angle around it. thats 26 taps if your counting and lightly is an understatement.

Good luck. Any magic marker will do in a pinch. Get a green one from the kids.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Very informative, yet slightly philosophical...

Nah, just shooting from the hip. Most of my restores of vintage blades are like the smile from the Carnival ticket taker. They smile, they frown, and most have chips in their teeth. Nothing that a little dentistry cant fix.

OK so did the Sharpie test, seemed to pass easily - a little too easily? Do you guys put several coats of marker on & let them dry, cause mine cleared off on the first pass easily.
In other news, had my first (what I would call) successful shave this morning! First time I was able to cut without pulling, and even go ATG in certain areas. My chin is super thick and was just way too tough to go against, but as the ATG pass gave a closer shave than my DE, I may not have to go ATG in my chin & mustache areas. Going ATG with my slant blade in these areas, even well lubed + w fresh blade is just brutal.
So I attribute my success to proper stropping - thanks to the guy who advised me to slow down -and going slow & steady with the Swaty hone after each shave I wasn't satisfied with. Probably still requires a little more honing.
So thanks again to you guys, I'm sure I'll have more questions. One question is about the blade looseness: ultrasoundguy2003 recommended tapping with a ball peen hammer - which I dutifully did - but it's not a rivet, it's a sort of pin, so it doesn't work. Any other recommendations for tightening it up? I will try to submit pictures when I get a chance.

Originally Posted by Mohawkshaver1

One question is about the blade looseness: ultrasoundguy2003 recommended tapping with a ball peen hammer - which I dutifully did - but it's not a rivet, it's a sort of pin, so it doesn't work. Any other recommendations for tightening it up? I will try to submit pictures when I get a chance.

From the pictures here;

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ml#post1617572

Those are classic 'pins' and they should tighten when GENTLY TAPPED with the ball end of a SMALL Ball Peen Hammer/4 oz head would be best.

Remember to try tapping on your thumbnail and if it hurts, then your using too much force. All you need is to end up with a razor with broken scales.

Also... Don't strike that center of the pin. Only strike the outside edges of the pin.
Or google, how to pin a straight razor. And watch the videos. It should only take a few light taps on each side. Again... Go slow, take your time

How about I send you a PM and I give it a try. You have given this a great first go. All is free, this is how we the guys treat each other.
Down the road you help another.

Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003

How about I send you a PM and I give it a try. You have given this a great first go. All is free, this is how we the guys treat each other.
Down the road you help another.

I Highly Suggest that you take ultrasoundguy up on his offer! He's a a great guy and this is a legit offer, take advantage of it

Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003

How about I send you a PM and I give it a try. You have given this a great first go. All is free, this is how we the guys treat each other.
Down the road you help another.

Got your PM, thanks, I really appreciate the offer. Being the stubborn individualist that I suspect most of us are, I would like to give it one or two more weeks to see what I can do with it, given the modest success I've recently had. I do recognize that I need to know what a truly shave sharp razor feels like, so I'll probably end up letting you have a crack at it. Plus I haven't solved the spots or pin problem yet (someone recommended looking at a pin- setting vid on YouTube, haven't gotten to it yet). Thx again.

Originally Posted by Mohawkshaver1

Got your PM, thanks, I really appreciate the offer. Being the stubborn individualist that I suspect most of us are, I would like to give it one or two more weeks to see what I can do with it, given the modest success I've recently had. I do recognize that I need to know what a truly shave sharp razor feels like, so I'll probably end up letting you have a crack at it. Plus I haven't solved the spots or pin problem yet (someone recommended looking at a pin- setting vid on YouTube, haven't gotten to it yet). Thx again.

I do understand. No man ever became a master on his first attempt. Outback is correct about the videos. Videos dont convey touch and pressure. We all say the same thing but differently hoping that one of US will connect with your learning style. Peening was very hard for me to grasp. My mentor sent my his peening block. That gave me the confidence to overcome. It was a job that only a mother could love in retrospect. I have redone much of my work as the quality of my work improves. I look forward to helping.