Thread: Getting Warmer

I've always thought that temperature played a part in the tree's seasonal color change. Looks like that isn't true. It's been as warm this fall as it was all summer. Strange to be raking leaves wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

Randy

Congratulations, Bayman.
So what did you do differently? Stropping technique? Honing technique? Shaving technique? All of the above?

Please share what you've learned so the rest of us can avoid those pitfalls!

Thanks,

Mark

All of the above I guess. The stropping is getting better the more I practice. The honing is getting better too. I was afraid of overhoning so I would only do about 10 laps on the stone. Once I realized how dull the razors were, I tried 40 on the 1000 grit side and that did the trick. Now I'm shaving and then doing a couple more laps until I see how sharp I can get. I think that much of the honing battle is just training your arm to repeat the same motion smoothly. It's tricky to keep the blade flat and the pressure even, but with some practice it's not difficult.

I think the shaving technique is improving as well. It takes time to make all the mistakes so you can learn what not to do. Using light pressure really helps, but you need a good edge before that is possible. I'm still having trouble with watching the edge. My eyes are poor, and my depth perception must be bad because once or twice a shave I tap my face with the edge thinking that it isn't close. I'm still working on skin stretching and the facial contortions necessary to get a good shave on my neck. I'm sure it's just a matter of more practice though.

I think that there isn't a secret or magic trick to straight shaving. It's just a matter of practice, practice, practice. It is very satisfying to end up with a smooth face knowing that most people would be afraid to even try a straight.

Randy