Are these the symptoms of a rolled edge?

A few shaves ago, i noticed after a 'stropping experiment' that my razor seemed to not shave both sides of my face equally well.

My left, non-dominant, hand started giving me all sorts of problems. The shave wasn't quite as close as the right and the razor seemed more dull on that side. I used the CrOx side of my philly and it seemed to resolve the issue, but only stayed that way for 1-2 shaves. Last night, my shave wasn't great on the right or left side, but it was definitely harsher on the left side. After my shave, i took the razor to my arm hair and it didn't really do a very good job cutting my upper arm hair.

My razor is dull. There is no question about it. I got my razor from SRD, so i think i will send it to get re-honed. Because the razor shaved pretty well from shave 1-12 and equally on both sides before the 'experiment', i suspect that i rolled the edge when i was messing around. Does this seem reasonable?

How many shaves are reasonable between touch ups on CrOx? How many between honings?

I am pretty bummed out because now i have to take an unscheduled break from straight razor shaving. Plus, i am frustrated because my last couple shaves have sucked and now i have to wait before i can redeem myself.

Picking up another razor will help out alot. It is posable that the edge wore out on one side, or got less polish, eroded, there are alot of reasons this can happen.

Another reason to have at least 2 razors ready is that the learning curve can be harsh on the equipment. Two razors spreads out the chances that one will fail quickly.

Really, there is no way of determining the amount of shaves between honing/re-freshes, there are just way to many variables...

BUT if you got 12 shaves the first time through then you can expect 24 or even more the second time and most likely can double that again for the third time... That seems to be pretty close to real life for beginners, of course YMMV does apply but it is pretty close...

As you learn you get better at everything, from the prep, to the stropping, to the shave, so the time between honing/re-freshes extends :)

The problem is that many people give up too early and don't get to that stage...

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Originally Posted by thecornerbooth

I am pretty bummed out because now i have to take an unscheduled break from straight razor shaving. Plus, i am frustrated because my last couple shaves have sucked and now i have to wait before i can redeem myself.

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I've been there.

"Dear wife of mine, I'm going to buy another razor so that when I send this one out I can still shave."

Of course now I keep it much shorter: "I'm going to buy another razor!"

:)

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Originally Posted by commiecat

I've been there.

"Dear wife of mine, I'm going to buy another razor so that when I send this one out I can still shave."

Of course now I keep it much shorter: "I'm going to buy another razor!"

:)

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:roflmao THAT is too funny. I have moved on from the justification stage to the informative stage myself.

Back when I was married I always preferred explanation after the fact to asking permission. :) +1 on getting a backup razor.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Back when I was married I always preferred explanation after the fact to asking permission. :) +1 on getting a backup razor.

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Maybe I missed a thread, but what was this stropping experiment you mentioned?

As to buying more razors, I just make sure I get to the mail before she does. yesterday I got one and she was home. when she asked how many razors I have now, I have the nebulous, "a few," reply. The fact that I spend every evening honing razors is starting to show.

Goog

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Back when I was married I always preferred explanation after the fact to asking permission.

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That's my routine, too. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the razors I buy aren't so expensive (yet). :D

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Originally Posted by thecornerbooth

My razor is dull. There is no question about it. I got my razor from SRD, so i think i will send it to get re-honed. Because the razor shaved pretty well from shave 1-12 and equally on both sides before the 'experiment', i suspect that i rolled the edge when i was messing around. Does this seem reasonable?

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Dear Past Self,

I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to build a time machine to go back to in time to contact you so i will just write a reply here in hopes you will read it.

Your razor is not dull. The problem, Past Self, is that you are not stropping your razor enough or correctly. Do you seriously think you can strop your razor like 10 times and think that is enough? Au Contraire, Mon Frère. Try stropping your razor like 60 times and see what happens. I think you will be pleased with the result. Also, try to feel the 'velvet suede' draw of the razor. If you hold the razor at the proper angle with the right amount of pressure, it will feel almost like suction.

Your edge is not rolled, so don't be such a whiny baby, just shut up and shave.

Regards,
Your Future Self

PS: That Alt-Insbruck splash is going to burn like a mother when you shave on May 4th, 2010.

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Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Maybe I missed a thread, but what was this stropping experiment you mentioned?Goog

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Not sure which thread it was mentioned in but thebigspendur did "the grand experiment". Here and the conclusion here. Good stuff to go with AFAIC.

My dearest Past and Future Mr. Cornerbooth

That Sir, was a great read, thank you...

g