Thread: Hello from the new guy

Seems your razor is sharp enough. I am not sure what you mean by shave foam but if it is the goo from a spray can you better not use it. Skin prep is very important for SR shaving. You need proper soap or cream applied with a brush to your face before you let the blade come near it.

Welcome to the forum Flint.

Better late than never, sorry I'm late posting by the way. Some excellent advice has already been handed out I see.

Well see you around the boards and I hope you enjoy your stay here.

Originally Posted by Kees

Welcome Flint.
You first need to establish how sharp she is. Can you shave hairs off your arm with it? If yes, you only need a strop, ...

I have to disagree with Kees here (respectfully, of course). I have found many razors that are sharp enough to remove arm hair that are nowhere near 'shave ready'. YMMV, though. Sending the blade to one of the honemeisters here is probably the best advice. Or purchase a Norton 4K/8K hone and take the plunge.

Originally Posted by joesixpack

I have to disagree with Kees here (respectfully, of course). I have found many razors that are sharp enough to remove arm hair that are nowhere near 'shave ready'. YMMV, though. Sending the blade to one of the honemeisters here is probably the best advice. Or purchase a Norton 4K/8K hone and take the plunge.

You're right of course. I should have said: shave hairs effortlessly off your arm with no pressure at all. OTOH the shave test will eventually decide if it really is sharp enough.

If despite a good arm hair test and a +/- 30 degree angle you still cannot shave comfortably you'll have to have the blade checked by a honemeister to see whether there's a problem with the razor.

Originally Posted by Kees

Welcome Flint.
You first need to establish how sharp she is. Can you shave hairs off your arm with it? If yes, you only need a strop, if not you still need a strop as well as getting her honed. Unless you want to be self sufficient from the start it is recommended you get her honed by one of the honemeisters, there might be one living near you. I would ask in the basic honing forum.

+1 on the advise from Kees. I would almost vote for sending it out to a honemeister just to make sure you have a good edge on it. This may be inappropriate but there is a nice tutorial on all things dealing with straight razors on another forum: The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving - Badger & Blade
There are also many excellent resources here but this reference puts a lot of information in one place.

Cheers,
Steve