Thread: Shave Ready question

Is there some kind of protocol if sending a straight out to be honed, that you should tell the honemeister if you have a rough wiry beard? I haven't had my first shave yet, and got my first shave ready in the mail yesterday, but when trying to do a few strokes, it didn't cut a thing. The reason I'm thinking it might be my rough tough beard and it not being not shave ready, is because I bought it from what I can tell from posts and from the way he treated communication, packaging, and shipping, that he is a very reputable person. So I don't think it's not shave ready. Am I dead wrong, or does shave ready vary an entire lot? Could a razor practically be supersharp on one beard, and not cut at all on someone else? Any help greatly appreciated.

Mark

Its true that one beard is different than the other, course vs fine, and it will cause the problems that you have mentioned, whats shaving sharp to one will be pulling, tugging and painful to the next. If I were an adequate honer and had enough experience honing for others, I would think an asessment of the individuals whiskers would be highly valuable and appreciated. Contact several guys here on the forum and create a dialogue just as if you were taking bids from any other contractor and choose accordingly. GSSIXGUN may ask for a beard sample, something about his new whiskometer.

If the razor is professionally sharpened and I am new to straight razor shaving, it's best for me to assume the blade is sharp and practice my beard prep and my shaving technique, not forgetting to strap my razor between shaves.

On the other hand, if it is so dull that it can't shave arm hair, it definitely needs to be resharpened.

Ill start with "im a noob, but i can change, if I have to, i guess"....oops, went a little Red Green there on ya.

Anyway, I had the same experience when I first started all of a month ago. I bought a razor from a respected honer, so I know it was not the razor. Tried several different angles, before shower, after shower, stood on one leg, etc. I finally bought the magic cream (at least it is for me) Poraso pre-shave cream. You can find it here as well as other places. Cant speak for everyone, but this did the trick for me.....or maybe it was the stroping all night....hmm......

Are you pointing the razor in the right direction? No offense, but there was one fellow here not long ago who, instead of making a V with the blade against his face and pushing with the edge forward, made an A and dragged the blade afterwards in a scraping motion. That won't cut hair.

Sharp is sharp and that's the end of the story. If you razor won't cut anything do the usual tests and if it passes assume the problem lies with you.

If you stropped before shaving and your stropping technique is off you may have dulled the blade. This of course will necessitate honing the blade. How much will depend on the blade...if this is the case.

Raf

Thanks for the replies, I didn't strop before using, I really just wanted to try one cheek just to see how it cut, I wasn't yet trying to do a full shave with it. For what it's worth, I've been shaving with a DE for over 4 months and know about the angle and all that. I'm just going to try and hone it myself.

For the record though since I've probably never had a shave ready razor in my hand, should I be able to put significant pressure to my thumb without feeling like it will cut through? I tested cutting hairs on my arm and it took effort to do so.

Originally Posted by WoodyHayes

For the record though since I've probably never had a shave ready razor in my hand, should I be able to put significant pressure to my thumb without feeling like it will cut through? I tested cutting hairs on my arm and it took effort to do so.

You can try the TPT on a new DE blade to get a feeling of how it should feel, and the razor should cut arm hairs really easy.

bjorn's suggestion is a good one - but strop your razor. stropping does make big difference - when i've tried it stropped and unstropped edges both cut hanging hairs but differently.

before you start honing yourself you should probably contact the person who honed your razor - i'm sure they wouldn't mind taking a look at it and rehoning if necessary.