Will my razor shave?

First, let me provide some background. I have always had a difficult time with shaving. I have really sensitive skin that breaks out, I also get ingrown hairs easily when I shave. I have tried everything from the normal bic, fussion and even expensive electric razors, nothing seems to help.

After reading about it for some time I decided that straight razor shaving might be the answer to my problem. My wife bought me a straight razor for my birthday. I asked for anything, but a stainless steel razor. Needless to say she bought me a stainless steel razor (A Kriegar from Amazon.com). At least she tried, right?

I have tried it for a month and have not had a single great shave out of it. Thinking that maybe it would work better if sharpened, I bought a Norton 4000/8000 combo waterstone. I have honed and stroped it quite a bit and have not been able to get a super sharp edge. I am prety sure that I am doing it correctly, I have read alot on it and watched many great videos on it.

Now to my question, should I abandon this blade? Is it possible to get a decent edgo on a stainless blade? Has anyone used this razor? I would like to get it usable until I can afford to get a nicer blade. I thought about buying an antique one of ebay, but it is hard to tell the condition of the blade by a single photo.

Any suggestions?

from what i understand those Kriegar are pretty much junk see the wiki
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Brands_of_Straight_Razors_to_avoid
now for sharpness you shoud invest in a finshing stone to use after the 8000
I belive there are some very good stainless blades out there and its the quality of the steel not carbon vs stainless. I would look to the classifieds for a new razor

Sorry mate, but abandon the blade. As G23VFR said, it's on the list of useless razors. It's harsh, but attempting to shave with it will just put you off for life!
I love stainless blades. They give a slightly different shave, but they're more than capable. A stainless Dovo, or Friodur is an amazing tool. If you want stainless get it, just research a better brand.
Shaving with a straight will help prevent irritation & ingrowns when you've had a bit of practise. I suffer & actually don't shave as close as i'm capable because i'll just get ingrowns.
I wouldn't get one from ebuy at this stage. You need something ready to go, as there's enough to learn without getting it shave ready too. Look in the classifieds here. Just ask the seller if the razor is already shave ready if it's not stated.
Good luck!

Use that Kreigar (sp?) for a letter opener, that's all it's good for.

Buy a shave ready from the classifieds if you want a razor that will actually take a decent edge. There are some that are VERY reasonably priced, and you won't regret it.

What do you all think about this for a replacement for my Kriegar?
Carl Ernst Kirsch CONDOR 11/16 - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Keep in mind that I am a newbie. I am looking for something that will be easy for me to maintain.

I also like this one. Price Drop: 5 /8 Original Pipe Razor with Matching Scales - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

They'll both be fine. I have no personal experience of the fella's abilities to get a blade shave ready, so you'll have to trust them. Nobody wants to harm their own reputation by claiming a razor is shave ready when it's not.

You might want to consider a round point for your first shaver, those squarepoints can be rather unforgiving.

yes, both of these razors should shave well. at least they shave well their current owners.

The reason i started with a st8 was to stop the ingrown hairs and razor burn and it has done exactly that. Keep up with it. get yourself a good razor and you will not regret it. buy something shave ready from here or another online vender that has it listed as pre honed or shave ready. no matter how good you think you are at honing until you have a razor that is truly shave ready there is no way to no what shave ready is. As for stainless lie some of the other guys said there are some great razors out there made from it. i have an extremely old erusta boehlersteel stainless razor that is a great shaver. Its a little harder to get it to take an edge but once its sharp it stays that way for quite some time. Stick with it your skin will love you for it.

PS read the wiki:gl: