Hey y'all,

I switched to the straight this summer, and I thought I would share my story and seek some help.

I started using a diamond edge with replaceable razors and although my face was chopped to bits I loved it. It wasn't long until I got the feel for it and decided to go for the real deal.

I went to a store run by a friend of the family and bought what he suggested I buy (a col. conk starter kit with razor, hone, and strop). I went home excited about my first real straight shave, and I prepared meticulously. I inhaled deep and pressed the steel to my lathered face. The first stroke felt ok, but when I looked in the mirror there was still beard on my face. I decided that was because I wasn't pressing hard enough, so I finished my first run with lots of pressure. My face burned and was still hairy, so I decided to go against the grain to clean up. By the end my face felt like a hot tamale and there weren't any cuts (which was weird because there were many strokes that should have slices right in)

I came here and read that my blade probably wasn't sharp enough, so I took it in to get sharpened from the guy who sold it to me. I picked it up the next day and it seemed even less sharp than before? Since that time I have been trying to hone it on the skinny little hone in the package but have always reverted back to the Diamond Edge blades.

My experience has not been the best, but that only means brighter days ahead. I do have a few questions and I knew this forum to be extremely helpful.

Does anyone know of anyone in either Dallas or Houston who sharpens razors?

Does anyone know anything about col. conk blades?

If I have to send it off to a honemeister, how much does it cost and would it be smarter to just invest in new gear?

Thanks for the help and all the great info on the site!