Thread: Just getting started

Originally Posted by ursus

There's seems to be some uneven honewear and looks like somebody took sandpaper to it to make it look shinier. There might also be some frown on that as well. I hope you get a good blade out of it.

Using straight on a boat on the ocean is not without its dangers, so I would advice against it. You're surprisingly far away from help if anything serious happens.
You might want to make clear to yourself what are you proving, why and to whom. If you're adamant to do it on your own risk, at least get very proficient before trying (say, a year of experience).

Scales are ivory-imitation celluloid.

Cutting paper is different that cutting hairs, and since paper is abrasive it can damage the edge. Don't use that test on truly shaveready razors. Your best bet in getting that to shave is to send it off to a professional razor honer (not a knife shop, whatever they say). Read about shavereadiness from the beginner's guide and the ever-useful FAQ Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Be safe

Since reading this, I've looked over my razor to get a better idea of what you are talking about and looked through the wiki to learn more. I haven't, however, been able to quite figure out what frown and smile are. I would assume that frown, when looking at the front of the razor would be a concave curve along the edge relative to the spine? and smile would be the opposite?

I'm well aware of the dangers of shaving on a boat...I suppose I exaggerated a little bit. The ship is an aircraft carrier and is pretty much stable in the water. Medical care is less that 1000 feet away at any given time. These factors embolden me to practice the art of the str8 while out on deployment. This way, I don't have to go back to my crappy electric.