HELP!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by WineGuyD

OK, Just tried fourth shave this morning and really tried to take into consideration all the valuable advice received on this thread. I think I can say with certainty that I've got the angle and pressure right yet the blade sticks, catches and drags like on 25 grit sandpaper. I did all the prep...hot washcloth wrap, Institute Karite shave soap, silvertip brush yet after each pass there was noticeable stubble as if the blade had different degrees of keenness at different points.

I know from all the accolades that Lynn is the grand honemeister but I have to wonder if it's possible he accidentally missed honing my blade(I know he receives so many daily) and sent it back thinking he worked on it.

I'm going to take the razor to the "Art of Shaving" shop near by and see if they can at least confirm the blade is shave ready.

Can anyone think of any glaring mistake i might be making, because I'm about to throw the towel in and just stick with my Mack 3!

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I would be truly shocked if Lynn pumped out a razor not that wasn't shave ready. Very shocked.

Since your razor was honed by a professional, I would say focus on a few things. It sounds like your prep is good which leads me to believe there is something in the technique.

Check the angle. Apply just enough pressure it doesn't skip but not too much that you man handle the razor.

Stretch the skin.

Make sure your stropping technique is correct. Often this is the one most of the new guys have a problem with. Incorrect stropping leads to a rolled edge.

Above all, this is something that takes time to learn. If it really was that easy to do with minimal learning curve then it would just be the way. When I was first learning I got frustrated many times and even cut myself. Stick with it. Much like martial arts or golf, if you can practice the form and understand the basics then you are poised to for better results.

Just my 2 cents.

I hope it helps but never give up. Take your time. This isn't a race... just a hobby, a daily must for us and chance for Zen with each shave. :)

It looks like coachmike beat me to it..... in any event I'd take up his generous offer. Having the guidance of an experienced member is a luxury most of us did not have

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Originally Posted by Logistics

I would be truly shocked if Lynn pumped out a razor not that wasn't shave ready. Very shocked.

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Why is this such a shocking concept? Lynn is the grand honemeister and all, but he is human and liable to err like the rest of us. Razors do slip through the cracks from time to time with everyone who hones for others.

That being said I still think it's the operator and not the equipment 97% of the time when a newb posts ''it's my 2nd shave, it didn't go well... is it the razors fault?''. If it happens to an experienced guy he would probably be more likey just to rehone it himself and not post about it.

I would check for blade sharpness after stropping with either the H.H.T. or some other method. You might be doing something when stropping that affects the blade. I also would get a shavette to use to get your angle technique down because you don't have to worry about stropping effecting your blade. Just my opinion.

Mark:soapbox:

Ok, I'm a 100% newbie and so far have no experience (my first razor hasn't arrived yet) but I didn't see anyone mention this so I thought I should ask. When you roll the blade at the end of your stroke on a strop are you rolling over on the spine or the edge? It sounds like the most likely way for it to have dulled like that is to have rolled the edge on your strop.

If you're rolling on the spine like you're supposed to then go ahead and ignore me and keep getting advice from those with experience, and best of luck to you!

There is a lot of mistakes that can be made when stropping besides rolling the edge. Good point Stylus.

Mark

Massive pulling sounds like dry lather to me. The HHT is generally useless to establish the shave readiness of a razor unless you are honing it. The respective Wiki article is rather unambigous about this. And unless you use force, even bad stropping will not dull an edge that quickly.

Bets are on a layer 8 problem.

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Originally Posted by coachmike

Where in NJ are you? I will be leaving on vacation next week , but would love to see your razor. If Lynn sent it back to you, IT IS SHAVE READY. The man is anal about his honing and there is no way that one slipped by him. That being said, maybe I can help you out if time allows. there are so many variables that go into the quality of a straight shave , it is nerve racking till you actually do it for some time and get a feel for it.

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Thanks Mike, I live in northern Bergen county in Closter and my business in in lower Rockland in Orangeburg. If you are some what local I would be happy to meet you at any place convenient to you and show you the razor. I'm 99% sure Lynn honed it, and obviously if he did then it would be as keen as it can get, but life has taught me never to assume(ala Felix Unger).

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Many things could be going wrong here. Is it possible Lynn missed one? It does happen from time to time. But if you're only 4 shaves in it's more likely you rolled your edge. .

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I'm not sure what you mean by rolled "the edge", does that imply not stropping correctly? If yes, I think I did it properly, I have a 3" wide Latigo/cotton canvas strop, did 50 complete cycles on each one making sure to keep the strop taught and gently pulling the blade across it and then rolling it over on the spine.

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Originally Posted by MARKHOLLADAY

I would check for blade sharpness after stropping with either the H.H.T. or some other method. You might be doing something when stropping that affects the blade. I also would get a shavette to use to get your angle technique down because you don't have to worry about stropping effecting your blade. Just my opinion.

Mark:soapbox:

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A shavette is not a bad idea, at least I would know for sure if it's my technique or not. Thanks