Thread: Wow, Pre-sharpened(Not!)

I just shaved with my brand new pre-sharpened blade. Wow, it was agony! I don't think it is sharp at all. It was from classic shave so I thought it would be fine. I maintain 30 degree and had to apply alot of pressure. My face is still burning. Should I send out to be honed by pro?

Yes. Definitely.

I'm just a newbie here, but I've been picking up a lot of information. If I'm correct, all razors are presharpened at the factory, but they are not shave ready. Some dealers do hone, test and sterilize their razors before selling them. I don't think Classic Shaving is one of them.

They do have a sharpening service. Maybe you can work out a deal.

Was this your first shave? If so it might have been more you than you think. A lot of burn comes from using to much pressure when you shave. Did you order your razor as shave ready from Classic? On a second note I think all of classics razors are presharpened.

Originally Posted by Rordan

I just shaved with my brand new pre-sharpened blade. Wow, it was agony! I don't think it is sharp at all. It was from classic shave so I thought it would be fine. I maintain 30 degree and had to apply alot of pressure. My face is still burning. Should I send out to be honed by pro?

that is the reason for the poor shave as people on here have said before straight razor shaving is not hair removal but hair reduction. try shaving agian but this time with little to no pressure and do multiple passes till you have a smooth finish. no one no matter there skill or how sharp the razor is will get a smooth shave with one pass.

if i recall correct all classic shaving razors are sharpend by Lynn himself so there is no question on if it is shave ready or not. but if you stroped it before your first time using it you might have rolled the edge and dulled the blade without knowing it.

You can order a presharpend razor or hand honed razor, from classic shaving. If you got the hand honed blade you should be good to go. Use very little pressure, expirement with angles, and do a good beard prep. Did you strop it first? Bad stroping can easily kill an edge.
Most new people have the same issue you are having. No offence but I am assuming you are new to this because people with even a weeks worth of experience can tell the difference between a dull and sharp razor.
If you recieved a presharpend razor contact classic shaving, I'm sure they would be able to help you out, and hand hone it for you.
welcome and enjoy.

nate

A properly honed and stropped razor to shave-ready state, should enable you to have a shave with no pressure at all, other than what it takes to hold the blade up to your face. If you cant do that, the common mistake to make (as you did, and as I did when I started), is to apply more pressure. This doesnt usually result in much greater hair removal, instead it will give you really painful razor burn, as you have experienced.

Did you strop the blade before use? If so, you may have dulled the blade. A good test that usually tells me whether a blade is about shave ready, is to run the blade over some air hairs about 2mm above the skin - it should have no problem removing the top of the hairs. If it doesnt do that, there is a good chance the razor is not shave ready.

Also as others suggested, your angle may be wrong.

Assuming you can cut arm hair and your burn is really bad, suggest you wait a couple days for it to heal, and then try the angle first.

Rordan,

What sort of prep did you use, what was your lather, and did you strop the razor before using it? Is it safe to assume that this was your first experience with straight razor shaving? We may be able to help a bit if you provide a bit more information.

Hi, and Welcome to the Forum....I think they offer a pre honing service, but you have to request it. The razors are shipped as is, unless you request otherwise. I would recommend sending it to one of our members who hone.....Check the Classifieds under member services....

I was going to stay away from this one, but I too have received a "shave ready" new razor from one of the main vendors & it pulled WTG. I stopped there, changed razors, & gave the razor a good workout one the Japanese stones. Not defending anybody, just stating the facts. I agree with most of the comments above & noted: "had to apply a lot of pressure".

Rordan: How long have you been straight razor shaving?