How sharp is "Shave-ready" ?

Hi every body,

I am new on str8 razor, and I end up in STR and BBS forums as a result of my search for a better and closer shaving as I was not happy at all with the way the match-3 would leave my face after shaving.

In this search I have bought my self a few str8 razors, including a TI I bought yesterday. I have also bought a DE FB and a Slim, and some blades (a trial pack with: Feather, Derby, Personna, Super +) but they are still in the post.

I have honed the str8 razor by myself (as I had some experience grinding / honing cutting tools for watchmakers lathe , and knifes), the get very sharp and testing how sharp the blades are I have ended up with not hair in my left arm. :(

I have manage to honed them as to cut the hair of my left arm by just "flying" the razor above my skin without touching it.

So far so good, but!

When I use the str8 for shaving they don't cut so nicely the hair of my chin as it does with the one of my arm.

I even have bought myself a very nice and beautiful "Revisor" (made in germany @ solingen) "shave-ready"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=003

But not this one, neither the TI, nor another one from solingen give me the smooth shave and easy cut I was expecting. Shaving the sides of the face is more or less fine, but when I reach the chin, as the hair is much tough, the hair is not so easily cut by the str8.

The question is:

how sharp is "shave-ready"?

is any objective test I could carry out to find out if the str8 are really sharp enough?, should I perhaps forget about the str8, sell them and go back to the match-3 until the DE arrive?

Did I set my expectation on str8 shaving too high ?

I am really confuse. Hopefully Lenn's DVD and the book "Standardized Textbook of Barbering" will bring some light when they arrive in the Post.

When should I understand I have a str8 sharp and good enough?

After spending well over $ 300 on badger, str8s, soaps, DE and a lots of shipping I am starting to wonder if it was a good idea.

regards,
Ro

While I can't speak for the straight razor part of it, since I'm a newbie myself... the improvement in my skin and increased comfort since I started shaving "classically" have been worth every penny!

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Originally Posted by isshou

how sharp is "shave-ready"?

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I think the only way you be sure to see the potential of a straight is to send one to one of the acknowledged "honemeisters" on this forum. If you aren't happy with the way your straights perform after that, I'll be surprised, but (assuming your stropping is decent) you'll know what straights are capable of.

Also, your shaving technique might be sub-par. When I started, I experienced a lot of pulling and mediocre shaves, but, as my technique improved, I got better shaves from the same razors.

I suggest you send a razor out for professional honing, then use it for at least a few weeks before you give up.

First, welcome to SRP!

The problem you're having is likely due to the difference between sharpening tools (I've always sharpened all my tools myself) and honing razors. Arm hairs are thinner and typically finer than facial hair and cut quite a bit easier. What did you use to hone your razor with?

As far as your e-bay razor, unless you get it from someone that actually uses razors, it's highly unlikely that it is truly shave ready. One way to tell if the razor is sharp enough is to do the thumb pad test (TPT). You moisten your thumb then lightly set it on the edge of the razor. If there is a sticky feeling, which is the blade cutting through the topmost layer of skin, then it's good to go.

Since the TI is an expensive razor, I would suggest sending it to one of our honemeisters here: JoshEarl, Joe Chandler, Heavydutysg, or Lynn (adjustme69) (I know I left a few of you out- sorry :fim:). I've only had experience with Josh and Joe, but they both do impeccable work. Just shoot them a message and they'll get you hooked up.

If you take a razor honed by one of the above gentlemen and compare it with something you've sharpened like a knife, I guarantee you'll almost be frightened at how sharp the razor is in comparison. This in no way is meant to degrade your tool sharpening abilities, there's just a huge difference between knife/tool sharp and razor sharp.

I'll put it this way- I was using a recently honed razor and went back a little far while doing my burns. I wasn't paying attention and ended up just lightly touching the blade down right on my outer ear. It made a clean, gushing slice and I didn't even feel it.

welcome to SRP... Fellow newbie here.... When I first dove in... Whatever str8 I've purchased went straight to Lynn for honing... Do not pass GO... off it went...

I know it's shave ready when I wipe off the oil, start shaving and get a excellent shave. No stropping done on the first run.

Give it some practice and I'm sure you will do just fine....

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Originally Posted by Quick Orange

I wasn't paying attention and ended up just lightly touching the blade down right on my outer ear. It made a clean, gushing slice and I didn't even feel it.

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ouch....:eek:

After the styptic was applied, all I had was a weird cut mark. People kept giving me these crazy looks. Except for the styptic though, it didn't hurt at all (thanks Joe!:D)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by isshou

I have manage to honed them as to cut the hair of my left arm by just "flying" the razor above my skin without touching it.

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That is how I test my razors , of course the shave is the final test . I think your razor is sharp enough . Chin wiskers are tough , and because of it's shape the chin is difficult to shave , it will take time to master your technique . I've been using straight razors for over 6 months , and I still have to work my way slowly through my chin wiskers . I keep my razor angle very low , and go slow on the first pass . Shaving with a straight razor is not something you will learn overnight , it will take time . But in a month or less , you will begin to understand why we shave with straights :tu .

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Originally Posted by dave5225

That is how I test my razors , of course the shave is the final test . I think your razor is sharp enough . Chin wiskers are tough , and because of it's shape the chin is difficult to shave , it will take time to master your technique . I've been using straight razors for over 6 months , and I still have to work my way slowly through my chin wiskers . I keep my razor angle very low , and go slow on the first pass . Shaving with a straight razor is not something you will learn overnight , it will take time . But in a month or less , you will begin to understand why we shave with straights :tu .

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I'd agree with this. It is most likely your technique more so than your razor. If it does turn out to be the razor though, there are a couple of honemeisters there in Europe to send it out to rather than pay the cost to get it over here. Look up Bruno in Belgum our LX in Holland either is an experienced shaver who could give you some tips.

Thank you very much indeed for cheering me up, you all are such a great community! :tu

Honestly, knowing about so many personal success stories on traditional shaving, makes me think I can also achieve it.

I think I will PM Lynn letting him know about all the str8 I have bought so far to see which one is it worth sending over to him to have it professionally honed.

I any case the "revisor" one from Solingen, I got it from eBay ID manyware who is a recommended eBay seller according to the "Critical Info for new members: read this before buying/using a str8 razor", and in the description he said "shave ready".

Any way, I'll PM Lynn to see what I do, as I am on the other side of the pond! :hmmm:

also, selling the straights so soon looks to me fairly premature, looks like these are good ones and you shouldn't have problem to get back most of what you put in, regardless if you sell them now or in few months.

and the brush+soaps should be significantly improving your shave regardless of whether you use m3, DE or straight.

give straights a bit longer, and by all means try DE and see what you think. most of us here never use DE's but there are few who do occasionally. You can still come play with us :)

Edit: since we were writing at the same time - you should be able to get feedback from other members who have bought from manyware about his edges. the sharpness is a personal thing anyways, but my speculation would be that on average a mediteranean beard is harder than a german. it never hurts to try improving the prep.

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

I'd agree with this. It is most likely your technique more so than your razor. If it does turn out to be the razor though, there are a couple of honemeisters there in Europe to send it out to rather than pay the cost to get it over here. Look up Bruno in Belgum our LX in Holland either is an experienced shaver who could give you some tips.

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Wildtim,

Wow, You read my mind !

I'm agree with you, it is most likely my technique what is wrong, but it it is a pity I can't shave only once a day in order to practice and improve my technique. :)

Thank you for letting me know about members in Europe.

best regards.
Ro

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Originally Posted by gugi

....
..... the brush+soaps should be significantly improving your shave regardless of whether you use m3, DE or straight.

give straights a bit longer, and by all means try DE and see what you think. most of us here never use DE's but there are few who do occasionally. You can still come play with us :)
...

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gugi,

I will very much take you advice and the others member. I will give me some more time.

My dream is to be able to improve my technique up to a perfect close and smooth shaving and buy my self a top TI to enjoy shaving every morning.

But today I felt frustrate as I had to finish my chin with the m3 as I had already three nicks and cut a bit my lip. :gth

This evening I had another go with the Solingen "Revisor" and the strop, lets see how it goes tomorow. ;)

best regards,
Ro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by isshou

But today I felt frustrate as I had to finish my chin with the m3 as I had already three nicks and cut a bit my lip.

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That's nothing to be ashamed of . I had to finish my first few shaves with a disposeable razor . You may not think so now , but your shaving will improve soon enough .

Like Dave said, don't feel discouraged. It takes a few shaves, but once you get the hang of it, you'll feel like you've been doing it your whole life.

You mentioned an expensive razor being the top- that's not always how it works with these. You'll find that a lot of people here have cheaper razors and like them just as well as expensive ones. What it ultimately comes down to is what YOU like to shave with. Happy shaving!

Something else to remember is that what is "shave ready" for one person may not be "shave ready" for you - beard growth and the toughness of the whiskers play a lot into the situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

Edit: since we were writing at the same time - you should be able to get feedback from other members who have bought from manyware about his edges. the sharpness is a personal thing anyways, but my speculation would be that on average a mediteranean beard is harder than a german. it never hurts to try improving the prep.

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I bought 2 razors from manyware a few weeks ago but I have only tried one of them on my cheek and the first impression was that that it shaved quite smooth and I'm usually able to tell how much honing a razor need after that stroke. However, doing a full shave will probably tell me more about how shave ready is is.

I'll try the second razor from him soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by isshou

gugi,

I will very much take you advice and the others member. I will give me some more time.

My dream is to be able to improve my technique up to a perfect close and smooth shaving and buy my self a top TI to enjoy shaving every morning.

But today I felt frustrate as I had to finish my chin with the m3 as I had already three nicks and cut a bit my lip. :gth

This evening I had another go with the Solingen "Revisor" and the strop, lets see how it goes tomorow. ;)

best regards,
Ro

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Revisors are top shavers! you do not need a TI to enjoy shaving.
You only need time to improve your techniques.

Shave Ready is a term that has different meanings to many here. Like i can get an amazingly smooth shave off a Chinese 12k but others like diamond paste's as high as .25 micron. So shave ready sharpness is really a razor that is honed to the point where it cuts through the hair smoothly without irritation.

If your razor has been honed as shown in the Standardized Textbook Of Barbering, then use the Cutting Stroke shown in that book, and it will get your chin hairs.

Shorter strokes work better, but you need that slight forward movement, even in the wierd places like chin and mustache.

To me shave ready is really a personal opinion. Different for every person. The key for me though is a shave that leaves my face smooth without irritation.