Thread: Razor Edge Dead after one shave

Wow,

I had a straight razor ready to shave and boom I got one shave or shall say a half and it started to pull like a Tugboat pulling a Barge.Dam that went south fast.
Question is I have a beard that destroys Mach Three Razors in 2 shaves. Am I ever going to get a razor to stay sharp enough to straight shave the whole beard? I am using a Edwin Jagger and have a Double Duck coming in.

Please advise on what to get to keep this going as far as stones and strops.Money is not a problem so what ever the best is I could fly with that. If I am going to do this and make it a daily rituale thats the way I am looking at it.

Thank you
Ed

Ed,

I know that you're be getting replys from some of the real masters. I'm just considering myself an intermediate with the str8.

I strop before and during the shave. It works for me, and I've been told that barbers do this. Certainly, the one barber who gave me a str8 shave did. Anyway, it's one pass down with the grain, strop, and then a pass up on the neck. The sideburn and cheek area I use a cross-grain second pass.

As for a hone, I use a couticle that I bought from PerfectEdge on Lynn's advice. I also have a loom-type strop with green paste for polishing the edge.

It took me a full year to get the feeling of getting a edge more or less right, but now my razors are scarey sharp.

Hope this helps!

Joel

what coticle did you buy uofi1963??


all i have is a norton and so far i am going now where--i am sure my technique sucks a$$ but anything i get i am sure will help

if you really have that coarse of hair for a beard i would hope that you go and try a 1/2 hallow or even a wedge grind razor. the extra weight from the razor will help it mow down those tree trunks you have growing.

any time i go a couple days without shaving i always use my wedges my first shave back. they deal with the heavy stuff like no other.

an yes, some kind of finishing hone would be good for ya. that norton 4/8 is fantastic. but finish it off with a corticule/thuringen/chinese 12k/ finishing barber hone. something for the fine finish.

~J

I would say that you *may* have had an overhoned edge. It is sharp, and starts well - but deteriorates very quickly.

Check the edge under magnification - if you see uneven edge, little dots, etc - you know what was the problem.

Good luck
Ivo

ps I also have tough beard and sometimes need to strop after 1/2 pass (not on all razors, though - some last several passes)

Now on hone - if money is not a problem (lucky you!) - you may get a nice Coticule, Yellow / Green Escher, and maybe even Shapton 15K and Shapton 30K.

Most bang for the buck - Coticule + chromium oxide, in my experience.

Cheers
Ivo

Originally Posted by tseeker1

I had a straight razor ready to shave and boom I got one shave or shall say a half and it started to pull like a Tugboat pulling a Barge.

Hi,

sounds to me as if you had an overhoned edge. If you have a very tough beard, still the edge of the razor should be able to manage that.

One of the keys for your tough beard may be beard prep, perhaps you could outline a bit on how to you prepare for the shave ?

Good luck,
-axel-

Originally Posted by izlat

Now on hone - if money is not a problem (lucky you!) - you may get a nice Coticule, Yellow / Green Escher, and maybe even Shapton 15K and Shapton 30K.

Most bang for the buck - Coticule + chromium oxide, in my experience.

Cheers
Ivo

The Escher and Shaptons are indeed very expensive, but a small coticule is very affordable at www.theperfectedge.com
A 4*1" coticule costs only 30$ or so, and it can make a very nice edge.

Originally Posted by raZor

what coticle did you buy uofi1963??


all i have is a norton and so far i am going now where--i am sure my technique sucks a$$ but anything i get i am sure will help

I bought a combination yellow/blue stone from Howard and the Perfect Edge. It was expensive, but then again, I'm 65 years old and learning to shave all over again.

I'd suggest a razor or two from one of the honemeisters. I knew I was getting close when I received a couple of Lynn honed razors and realized that my edges were nearsly as sharp.

Joel

Unless you have whiskers like steel wire I have to agree thta it was an overhoned edge. I go weeks before I even have to touch up my blade.