My experience with a new guy...can anyone help?
I was recently PMed by a new member who doesn't live far from me. He said he was having trouble sharpening his razors He just couldn't get his razors to shave comfortably. I said I could help and gave him my number. He called and we arranged a place to meet. I brought a couple of razors and a few hones and he brought two of his three razors, one being a 5/8's Mehaz and the other a no name Solingen! I expected to find these razors poorly honed, maybe a double bevel or some such problem. What I found surprised me, as they were both shaving sharp! The Mehaz had a barely distinguishable frown to it, but still damned sharp! The no name Solingen was waved about a quarter of an inch over my fore arm hairs which gave my arm an instant crew cut!
I find that I am a poor teacher as I have trouble translating what I know into words adequate enough to describe to someone how to go about doing what I already do, But this didn't stop me from trying! I talked to him about prep, stretching the skin, proper stropping, anything I could think of that might get him a better shave! after a bit we parted ways! I took the no name Solingen home with me to see how she shaves and boy did she ever shave! Very nice indeed!
I called him later to let him know about the shave and offered to help him with his technique and his stropping, but my impression is that I only succeeded in discouraging him. I hope this is not the case, but I thought I would throw this experience out there to anyone who may be able to word things better than I can and maybe help this guy out!
I see that he still peaks in daily so I doubt that he is too discouraged but I am certain that any words of advice will be helpful to this man!
Oh, by the way, he has only been using straights for one month and he uses a feather for practice and to get the idea of what sharp should be! He says he has no issues with the feather!