Second razor?

So I bought a stainless steel half-hollow (I think) off BST, and so far, I'm just not having much luck. I'm spending a lot of time adjusting my angles and pressure, but things just aren't happening for me. But, then someone suggested that it might just be the razor. Either due to it being stainless steel (I'm not 100% sure what that meant, but I felt like I should have, so I just nodded along.) or... maybe the design of the razor just doesn't work for my beard. I'll stick to this one for a bit longer, but it's something to think about. I've got a pretty thick, coarse beard.

I was suggested a wedge works better, but I also read something about full-hollow razors being better for hard beards. This is a point I'm none too clear on. I'd like for my next razor to be factory new, but I'm worried about investing in a piece that's not going to work for my face. At the same time, I don't want to put money into a bunch of secondhand razors that I'm going to keep passing on. I'm 22, a student and poor. Money's an issue.

So, the jist of it is this: I'm planning for the second razor, I don't want to spend a lot, and want a factory-new blade. I've got a coarse, thick beard, a good strop, but not a lot of skill (yet. Hopefully will by the time I order.)

Recomendations?

Well, I'm not sure that being stainless steel would be the culprit. From what I understand, they are harder to hone but typically hold an edge longer than carbon steel (could be wrong). I would sooner go with the other...that the design of the blade just doesn't work for your beard or the contours of your face.

I'm not an expert on the grinds, so maybe the others can chime in here. BUT, if you're unsure which razor to go with, I've heard of some members sending razors to others to "try out". You might check with some of the guys w/ RAD. Like Lynn LOL! I've heard of his intense collection of razors.

Just some thoughts.

Stainless can be troublesome for some folks. It can be a little harder to hone. Carbon steel is by far the favorite steel.


A number of guys with heavy beards do use 1/2 or 1/4 hollow wedges. Wedges also can be difficult to hone. I do have some heavy wedges on my bench waiting for a restore that I can sell. I could do one up for you. I just might make you a deal. Shoot a PM if you're interested.

Weeeell. I'm down to two options. One, a yet-to-be-named wedge, and two, the DOVO "Pearlex" off of Classic Shaving.com. As I've yet to really do much research into the wedge-world, the Pearlex is the de facto leader in the race.

But, here's the question. Do I lean towards the carbon steel or the stainless steel model? They say stainless holds that edge longer, but carbon sharpens easier. Does one get sharper than the other? And since my other cheap razor is stainless as well, maybe I should go for carbon just to have a different piece?

Decisions, decisions. God damn decisions.

I think you should go for the carbon, since the stainless very well may be the factor that your face doesn't like.

I also agree with the Dovo.

I have the carbon "perlex" and love it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheDoctor

So I bought a stainless steel half-hollow (I think) off BST, and so far, I'm just not having much luck. I'm spending a lot of time adjusting my angles and pressure, but things just aren't happening for me. But, then someone suggested that it might just be the razor. Either due to it being stainless steel (I'm not 100% sure what that meant, but I felt like I should have, so I just nodded along.) or... maybe the design of the razor just doesn't work for my beard. I'll stick to this one for a bit longer, but it's something to think about. I've got a pretty thick, coarse beard.

I was suggested a wedge works better, but I also read something about full-hollow razors being better for hard beards. This is a point I'm none too clear on. I'd like for my next razor to be factory new, but I'm worried about investing in a piece that's not going to work for my face. At the same time, I don't want to put money into a bunch of secondhand razors that I'm going to keep passing on. I'm 22, a student and poor. Money's an issue.

So, the jist of it is this: I'm planning for the second razor, I don't want to spend a lot, and want a factory-new blade. I've got a coarse, thick beard, a good strop, but not a lot of skill (yet. Hopefully will by the time I order.)

Recomendations?

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Perhaps you may want to try and hone it up a bit more? Try some pasted strops maybe to put a finer edge on, etc.? Just something to consider.

Not that I'd be one to try and talk anybody out of buying another razor, mind you!:w

What razor did you get to start with?

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Perhaps you may want to try and hone it up a bit more? Try some pasted strops maybe to put a finer edge on, etc.? Just something to consider.

Not that I'd be one to try and talk anybody out of buying another razor, mind you!:w

What razor did you get to start with?

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It's... uh... Hang on.

Um, this'n ----> http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...hlight=peacock

The peacock one. Not sure of the measurements, forgot to ask. But it's stainless steel. Blackstangal honed it up and had it shave ready when he sold it. But, I just can't seem to get anything near to either close or comfortable, which brings out the questions of just how likely it is that it's just me (probably very) , and whether or not a brand new, Lynn-honed DOVO razor would do me much better for that fact.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheDoctor

It's... uh... Hang on.

Um, this'n ----> http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...hlight=peacock

The peacock one. Not sure of the measurements, forgot to ask. But it's stainless steel. Blackstangal honed it up and had it shave ready when he sold it. But, I just can't seem to get anything near to either close or comfortable, which brings out the questions of just how likely it is that it's just me (probably very) , and whether or not a brand new, Lynn-honed DOVO razor would do me much better for that fact.

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ok... i did not see any mention of that being a stainless or "inox" razor just that it was polished and honed.

you may want to contact the seller and see if he will rehone for you, there is a chance that in stropping you may have rolled the edge... that would be my first choice. gentlemen who sell on the b/s/t generally have excellent after sale care.

thats true most of the sellers who sell shave ready razors will rehone the razor for free if anything happens in the first 3 months. So I would contact the seller and ask his policys.

I really would not worry about grinds and sizes much. Just buy what you like the most. Any razor properly honed will shave you just fine. personally this razor to fit a beard thing is alot of poppycock. The proof of that statememnt is that if you went into the typical barber shop say 60 years ago when all barbers were highly experienced shavers what you would find would be mainly 5/8s or 6/8s hollow grind razors. A few old timers preferred wedges because that what they learned with. You may prefer a heavier razor for one of many reasons but if someone can't get a good shave with a 5/8s hollow grind I think they need to review their honing techniques or shaving techniques. IMHO of course.

As far as stainless goes I think one of the honemeisters here once said they actually do not get quite as sharp as a carbon but they last longer and are a little more difficult to hone. So its a trade-off. I have several and they all shave fine but if they aren't up to snuff they can give you a miserable shave. More so than a not quite up to snuff carbon.

+1 thebigspendur!

I'd pm the seller and see if he could rehone.

Did you strop prior to shaving ? Is your stropping technique up to snuff ?

If seller rehones, don't strop when you get it back and just shave with it. This way you can maybe rule out your stroping technique.

Yup, I'm going to buy a second carbon-steel razor, just to have two to spread the load across, and when it gets here I'll send it back for a re-hone. My stropping technique is... well. It's my first razor, first strop. I'm purdy damn sure that errors were made.

Btw, thanks thebigspendur, awesome advice. I hadn't quite found the answer to which actually gets sharper, or if one does.

Thanks for all the help guys. :D

Very good advice from everyone. I wouldn't be surprised if you rolled the edge....my first brand-new Lynn-honed Dovo I did the same thing to. What a disaster that was! My personal preference with Carbon and Stainless is....Yes. To me there isn't much difference.

Blackstangal is a great guy - I've bought quite a few razors from him here and on B&B and never had any troubles. I'm sure if you explain your situation he'll do what he can. Best of luck and don't give up!