Thread: 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?

Oh, I'm obsessed no doubt about it. The only problem for me right now...not enough money! My wife and I are too caught up in paying off bills and such. Perhaps one day soon, I'll be able to afford a new strop, barber's hone/coticule, norton 4k/8k, badger hair brush, and a few more razors. One day...

Other than that, the shaves are going very well. I'm getting BBS smooth almost every shave. AND I'm almost finished with the first razor box (for another member). Should have it done next week, as the wife and daughter will be out of state for 2 weeks.

That's about it..
~Chris

Did my 3rd straight razor shave ever today. The 1st & 2nd time I had zero nicks or cuts but today I cut myself for the first time, 2nd time and 3rd time!

Here are my issues:

1. Now, I recieved my 5/8" Dovo Bergischer Lowe razor on Thursday and noticed today that I have som sort of tarnish on the back side of the blade.
2. Also, It seems as if the blade is loose. All 3 times I used it, when I went to close the razor, the blade edge would have hit the inside edge of the handle if I wasn't paying attention.
3. Stropping - I have the Illinois Russian Leather #827. It seems that when I strop my razor when my strop is hanging, it sucks! I get much better results when I lay it flat on my table. either way I can't pass the HHT unless I "smack" or "chop" the hair with the edge of the razor. When it does cut the hair, there is an audible pop.
4. my 4K/8K water stone should arrive tomorrow. I'm presuming/hoping that once I get a good hone on the edge, it should make a huge difference. My next purchase will be a good polishing stone......Any recomendations?

Good post Cobo!

Well, it sounds like you're both doing awfully well. I'm still running in to a bit of trouble with razor burn myself, and the area under my lip and the curve of my chin is giving me fits, but I'm still having a blast. :P

My shaves are turning out better with a bit of pratice ..

The last shave I had wasnt too bad; closer than the previous shaves .. thats for sure but more cuts this time. Completed 2 passes trying to refine my technique. Hardly recieved any burn this time around, so I think I am catching on.

Just waiting for some cuts to heal up before I give it another run... lol.

Glutton for punishment, I guess.

Also, still having trouble getting a good lather.


All in all ... I have yet to beat the shave I get from my daily disposable.

Third shave went better that the first 2. I stropped the blade much more and didn't try to go cross the grain and against the grain. I finished with my DE and got a quite satisfactory shave.

However, I am embarrased to say that I hacked up my strop quite severely and wonder if I have ruined it. I figure I will continue to use it now until I feel more comfortable. I am trying the "x" stroke, but can see I am really going to want a wider strop.

1. I've lost the whole head of hair from one of my two brushes Who wants a great brush that needs to be reglued? It stays in place as long as I don't flick it vigorously.
2. I nicked my strop once on each end
3. Somehow I allowed a rust spot to appear on my blade by the pivot pin
4. I have been polishing my blade to attempt to restore it to its original sharp state when I received it, but am not yet there
5. I haven't yet had a close shave over my entire face & neck with my blade

However, even though I've spent ~$250 to arrive at those 5 setbacks listed above, I now get closer shaves without irritation than I used to with twin blade cartridges. Most importantly, I enjoy my morning shave.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Most importantly, I enjoy my morning shave.

Amen, brother!

I recieved my 4K/8K hone on Monday and did my 4th shave last night...... WOW What a difference! Still can't pass the HHT unless I hit the hair with the edge really close to my fingers...... I did have an ingrown hair... I said DID.... shaved that sucker right off and didn't even know it! it didn't take very long for the water to turn pink!

I'm using the "Classic Brand" - sandlewood soap puck, but it's starting to burn my face.....before I even lay a razor to it..... I'm going to have to find another type of soap really soon!

Still looking for a place in the Detroit Metro area to buy supplies (good aftershaves, lotions, soaps/creams, new/different razors, strops, hones, etc). I even called the local Barber School and the said "Are you crazy?" Why would you even try that?.... you know they have been making disposable razors for quite a few years now, that are quite a bit safer!..... LOL - I just told 'em that "I'm just trying to bring Manliness back to society."
Any recomendations that are better and more soothing than Old Spice aftershave?


For now it's about every other day that I get to shave..... I could shave everyday, but I sorta use the stubble as a training platform.....

Originally Posted by STOGIE

.....Still can't pass the HHT unless I hit the hair with the edge really close to my fingers.....

This is very familiar..my impression is your stropping is not yet quite up to par.

Maybe just a little more pressure while stropping on the leather pulled out firmly. And, if you feel comfortable with it, try speeding up the stroke a bit. Some alternating with the linen side would help as well (best to end with stropping on the leather side if you do this). Just make sure you keep that razor flat and slightly angled (point moving ahead of the heel).

The #827 is a good strop and should do the trick. Hairs should be falling off instead of popping off. Keep at it, you're almost there.



Scott