Thread: My intro to straight edge shaving

Originally Posted by woork

Glad to hear your blade was ok!

me, too. I start reading the instructions and it says, "Never touch the edge, so I was scared to even wipe it down. I was aware it came with oil on it, but I had no idea oil and particles could deceive the naked eye like that. Again I'm sorry.
Just had my first shave with a professional instrument and WOW. Not the least bit of irritation whatsoever. When I got done with the one I'd sharpened, I wasn't cut up, but it burnt like fire to rinse my face. I left the beard a little long on my neck, but it wasn't the razors fault, I just have a healthy fear of it. Kudos for such a great product and service.

This gives me hope. Maybe the only reason my face looks so rough and beaten up is excessive oil needs to be wiped off!
Thanks for posting the pics, there is a valuable lesson here.
And congratulations on ending up with a great razor. I would definitely order from SRD if I wasn't over here in the UK.

Edit>Oops, looks like my joke in the first line could be read as serious comment. I was just joking that it would be great if an ugly face could be smartened up that easily.

your face will be red for the first couple of shaves but it dont last long then the fun begins

Does this now hold the record for quickest restore ever?

I reckon' it does hold a record for fastest restore, it only took about 30 seconds with an old t-shirt and it was brand new! I still can't believe I did that.
I've since purchased a strop, a Zee pk. I know they aren't top of the line, but I figured I'd ruin it by the time I learn to hone properly. The Zee pk strop also came with 2 stainless straight razors for free. I started messing with one of them, wipd the oil off and the edge was about as sharp as the side of a playing card. I set down with my piece of plate glass, a sheet of 600 grit sandpaper and a marker. I marked the edge area and worked it down. It turns out that the razor has a slight bend in it, maybe thats why they're so cheap. I would make one flat pass on the sand paper, and it would show that 2/3rds of the blade was making contact, and the last inch (near the tip) wasn't touching the paper a all. I just kept at it until I got a shiny line on he edge on both sides.
The strop I was wondering about. One part is fine grain smooth leather. The second one is thinner black leather and has a texture to it. There is linen on the back of this one. When do you use these 3 types?

I think this thread exemplifies why it is so hard to buy razors on Ebay... Usually, it works the other way around though....

Al raz.