Thread: Novice needs help

My first "straight" was the Parker Shavette, followed by a Feather AC. Then I had a friend who owns a knife shop who took a TI straight on trade, and since he knew I enjoyed traditional DE shaving, he called me up and I excitedly bought it. It's a beautiful TI with Rams Horn scales and stamped with the Art of Shaving logo and I thought it was an awesome deal for $100. Unfortunately, I didn't know enough about what I was looking at and didn't realize the bevel was set/honed horribly. I almost wonder if a knife guy tried to sharpen it on a wheel.

After using it a few times, I took it to a local guy and he did an OK job honing it for me, but it lost it's edge pretty quickly. So then I sent it to someone very well known to hone it for me, and it was great for a few shaves, but again lost it's edge after only a few shaves and it tugs pretty bad. Both guys who honed it mentioned that someone messed up the edge but that it should eventually get back to even after enough hones.

Sadly, I don't really enjoy the razor because it's just not comfortable. When I first got the razor, I realize I made some mistakes stropping and like many newbies, I did cut the strop a couple of times, but I'm pretty comfortable with my stropping now. I also have a pasted balsa strop and I can use that to help bring some edge back from time to time. I'm looking for another razor, but am leery about buying a used one after my first experience. Is there someone that can reset the bevel so that' it's even? Should I just buy a new razor from someone who hones? I appreciate any suggestions.

Your razor appears to be in decent shape. Based on what you have said, you might be putting pressure on the strop and lifting up at the end of your stropping strokes. This can dull an edge pretty quickly. See if you can find a local mentor to help you with both stropping and honing.

Good luck.

Uneven bevels by themselves have not much bearing on how sharp or long lasting the edge is. For the most part they a just not as pleasing to look at as a nice uniform set of bevels. So I don't think they are the source of your concerns. I have razors with wonky looking bevels that shave just fine.

I would really follow up on Lynn's suggestion to find a local mentor for some one on one stropping and honing instruction.

Bob

Thanks for the advice. I'll see what I can find as far as a mentor in Arizona.

Nice looking razor. It takes some time but you will get it down & when you do, you will be so happy. To me, it was like switching from dial up internet to high speed..................no going back! Don't give up. You will be okay, especially if you have the determination & willpower to do so.
Good luck my friend.

I'm not a Mentor, but I do live up in here Prescott and would be glad to give you my 2 cents worth. People here have helped me, now maybe I can help you. Freddie

Originally Posted by MisterClean

I'm not a Mentor, but I do live up in here Prescott and would be glad to give you my 2 cents worth. People here have helped me, now maybe I can help you. Freddie

Pay it forward at it's finest! Thanks MisterClean.

Originally Posted by MisterClean

I'm not a Mentor, but I do live up in here Prescott and would be glad to give you my 2 cents worth. People here have helped me, now maybe I can help you. Freddie

Thank you for your kind offer. Another member who works about 5 minutes from me (Chandler/Gilbert) PMd the same offer.

I did visit Prescott at Christmas time last year. Beautiful area.


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