Thread: 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.