Thread: First Shave

Well, I've done a few straight razor shaves in the last week or so.

I have a few straigihts that were purchased for me from classicshaving.com that were listed as PRE-SHARPENED, but when shaving, I get the typical feeling of the razor "jumping" over the hairs or just stopping cold on the tougher hairs on the bottom of my chin.

I'm suspecting (although not sure) that the razors are really shave ready in spite of being told by one the honemeisters (the individual in Montreal, via email -sorry, can't remember his name) that classic shaving blades are honed by Lynn himself, even if the honing service is not purchased when the razors are purchased.

I believe I will be having one of them honed by one of the honemeisters, but wanted some opinoin and direction.

Is there someone in Toronto that anyone can recommend? (or in the GTA at least?

Chris

If ypu purchased them pre-sharpened by Lynn, then it's likely one of two things. Either you shave prep was inadequate, or your technique can stand some improvement.

What do you do to prep your face for shaving?

For technique, the ideal razor angle is around 30 degrees. If you are just starting try an angle of less than 30 degrees (flatter to the face). Accept that you are not going to get a BBS. Don't worry, it will come in time. And take your time...

My stepson had the exact same experience. Bought a Dovo honed by Lynn. Turned out to be his technique.

+1 on what Dward said. Another thing I noticed was not pulling the skin taut enough and not using a steady hand. The excitement and lack of technique accounts for most of first time horror shaves.

The razor was purchased for me from classicshaving.com, with no additional honing service purchased wiht the razor.

As per the info on the classicshaving site, it says you can purchase the honing service for a new razor from them or just have one done - leads me to believe that it's not honed fully.

Prep
- shower
- lather
- strop (while lather is still on)
- hot towel
- re-lather
- shave

I want to have a honing done so I * know * have a properly sharped straight for my comparisons for a shave, and for honing, which I also want to work at.

Hmmm.. If it came pre-sharpened I would think it was honed for you. However, I have never purchased one from Classic so I wouldn't know. Kind of confusing. If in doubt you should contact them and ask if it was pre-honed. If it wasn't definitley send it to one of the honemeisters...

I think Classic actually puts a tag on the pre-honed razor boxes, that says "This Razor has been Professionally Honed" IIRC

Originally Posted by dward

Hmmm.. If it came pre-sharpened I would think it was honed for you. However, I have never purchased one from Classic so I wouldn't know. Kind of confusing. If in doubt you should contact them and ask if it was pre-honed. If it wasn't definitley send it to one of the honemeisters...

And the search begins for a honemeister in Toronto.