Thread: Going back to a straight, Trouble laying an edge on my blade

I put the razor down for the evening and got some sleep; I have had the flu all week and am still recovering. With a fresh eyes and the morning light I could clearly see a second bevel on the edge where it was honed long ago. So I sat back down with the whetstone and went back to work. A couple hours later I have a nice keen edge. A little stropping and I took it to the face this morning.

Whiskers be gone! They were long, I had not shaved in 4 days and they were a good 1/16 inch or longer, pretty scraggily. The first couple of strokes were slow as I got the action and balance back in my hand. No cuts no blood, just baby smooth cheeks and neck. I guess that is the nice thing about having a beard, no pesky under nose or rolling chin cuts to make. Two strokes for each cheek and a few under neck and I am finished. It still needs a hair more sharpening. I need to get another strop and run a little hone paste on it to finish off the edge, or get an ultra fine polishing stone.

I still think a new razor is in my future, probably sooner than later, but this get me started. My wife and kids think I am quite insane for using it but a man has to do what a man has to do.

Cheers and good shaving.