How are you coming along?
So, I'm hoping that this thread will become a bit of a place for us newbies to come together. To let one another know how we're coming along, discuss problems we have in common and so on. Hopefully (and knowing the ultra-helpful folks here, certainly) get a bit of helpful comments from those who have been where we are now.
Not to sound lame, but I'm hoping to build a bit of a sense of comraderie amongst us new folk. Admit it, learning a new hobby is always more fun when you feel like you're part of a group, like you have friends with whom you can discuss everything pertaining to your new passion. I'm sure it's half the reason we're all here! :P
Anyways, on to the actual meat of my post...
So, since my razor arrived from Ken on Tuesday, I've been shaving with it every day. I haven't even touched my DE. Though it does take me ages to get a complete shave, I'm down to about twenty minutes but I was taking around a half hour. I'm getting a little less irritation now, but my first few shaves especially left me with a real burning sensation (it's a good thing my face is already like leather, due to years of working out in the open elements :P) but it's getting a little better each time. :)
Still though, I can only get under my nose by bringing the blade in on a ninety degree angle to my skin, snagging the hair and improving the angle on the way down. Which leads to a TON of tugging. I also have to do about six passes over the tip of my chin, changing the angle and moving in slightly different directions, pulling the skin this way and that to get it done.
I'm still hooked, though, near to the point of obsession. ;)
So, hows about you other new guys?
I've just about had it!!!!!
Well, I tried to shave last night and stropped it about 50 times. I started to shave and my pocket knife cut better than my DOVO!!!! I've just about had it! Last night I took my razor to the classifieds!
..... and stropped it about 150 times...... :tu
that was after I did the 5, 3, 1, 3, 1, 5 honing process on my 4K/8K Norton Stone...... after that I took it to the classifieds, and then I took it to the strop and hit it for about 30 times using my new hand position. WOW What a difference!!!!
Well 1/2 of the blade (Heel end) will pass the HHT test and the other 1/2 (obviously the toe) won't pass the HHT..... I still have to smack the hair with the toe edge to cut the hair.....
I found that I get much better results if adjust my hand while holding the razor.....
My index finger is placed extremely lightly on the midle of the blade itself, only to keep it flat..... my thumb on the spine of the shank and my middle finger opposite of the thumb on the "balance point", using my thumb and middle finger to push the blade, depending on the direction....and the ring, and pinky fingers under the handle only for support......
It worked for me last night.... We'll see if it keeps working!......