Newb checking in

I ran out of shaving cream and cartridges for my Gillette late last week.

I dug out the razor that we inherited from the wife's grandfather. It's in very good shape with bone or ivory scales; very little hollow grinding--I'm thinking it may pass for a wedge razor. I did some very gentle honing using my XF diamond stone to get out two very subtle nicks followed by a glassy Arkansas stone that I have onhand (more appropriate tools are now enroute). Anyhow, it came out pretty good, I think.

I've been stropping with a wide belt I got at goodwill. I've also tinkered around with JB Bore Compound on one side (sort of a lapping/polishing grease for cleaning rifle bores).

The key things I've learned so far:

1. pull skin
2. It's much easier to get the blade moving across/against the grain if it's at a slightly oblique angle (perpendicular requires maximum effort)

So my Sensor Excel is bannished to the drawer and I've been doing the whole job with the big blade since Thursday.

Congratulations!

You seem light years ahead of most newbies! I am most impressed!

You're gonna be all right - But if you have questions or need help, there are a lot of great guys here that are very willing to help.

Welcome to our world of str8 razor shaving - :tu

Steve

Congratulations on getting a great start str8 shaving!
Welcome to SRP!!!

Many thanks to those here. I did a lot of reading before I dove in. I would have stropped the edge into submission if I hadn't.