Thread: is the razor sharp enough

I just got my first razor it is a Dovo Ebony silver steel , 5/8 carbon steel , it came honed from Vintage Blades. When i shave it does not take off all the hair and pulls the hair just a little bit , it look like i have a 5 o'clock shadow. Is that what it is supposed to look like or is the razor just not sharp enough

Originally Posted by jason240

I just got my first razor it is a Dovo Ebony silver steel , 5/8 carbon steel , it came honed from Vintage Blades. When i shave it does not take off all the hair and pulls the hair just a little bit , it look like i have a 5 o'clock shadow. Is that what it is supposed to look like or is the razor just not sharp enough<TABLE cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=DialogTitle> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=DialogBorder></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=PListImgBox></TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

There is a big learning curve- as your stropping and technique improve you will find that your razor seems to keep getting sharper.

Are you shaving WTG and ATG? One pass will not do it. I'm assuming you've read the wikis and/or watched the videos but since you didn't mention it, I thought I'd ask. As BKratchmer said, there is a learning curve. You can't expect a perfect shave on the first try. And to answer your question, no it's not supposed to look like you need a shave when you're done.

It also sounds to me like you may not be stretching the skin as you shave. That is really important... Watch a few videos and notice how they stretch the skin on different areas of the face. Also consider the two previous responses. Stick with it.....

As the others have said, it'll be a technique issue! Dont worry about the ATG and XTG passes until you are happy handling the razor. With the WTG pass you should be able to get a pretty smooth shave, you'll only feel stubble when you run your finger ATG.

Practice, practice and you'll get there..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

thanks guy for the info. i took my razor and honed it on my norton 2times on the 4000 and 8 on the 8000 and the stroped it 45/55 it is shaving a lot better and get closer evry shave

I also had continuing concerns that my first razor wasn't sharp enough. After about 2 months of working on stropping and shaving techniques, just like BKratchmer said, my razor keeps seeming sharper.

I am new myself, but as others have said, as you master the angle and pressure of the blade, improve your stropping, and learn to strecth properly, you will get closer and closer shaves. Never hurts to send your razor off to Lynn (you can find his honing services in the Classifieds section) if you want to be sure you have a shave ready razor. But most likely it is sharp enough.

It took me six months to figure this stuff out, take your time. Stropping wrong can dull a well hone blade in minutes and I think this causes most new guys' problems with sharpness and pulling. Then there's stretching, which you reall need to learn for your face, angles, etc.

Its a tough learning curve, keep at it!! If you need help, pm me if you feel ok with it.

Though i cannot say 100% that it was shave ready, because there is that variable that it might not be( i dont know maybe lynn missed it haha) i can say 99.9 percent that your razor was shave ready and honed by the godfather himself. That said, technique is the key, i remember when i first got my razor, (from vinatge blades too) it pulled and pulled , but, it was me who was doing it not the razor. Just keep at it, Hope everything works out