Well i tried out my new Iwasaki razor yesterday. I know I should of sent it out to be honed, but I figured i'd give it a try. I Stropped it about 20 times, 7 or 8 on the flat side (shallower hollow) and two on the hollow side. I put little pressure when I stropped, and what I did put I put on the spine and let the edge just kind of follow along. I didn't want to strop to much because I'm still not sure of what I'm doing, and I didn't want to ruin what edge the razor came with. So now to the shave. The worse shave I have ever had. Now that I said that let me explain. It was my first shave with any straight razor. I had no idea what I was doing, and I was lucky to not cut myself. I made it through the whole shave, I got a few nicks, but no bleeders. The chin was the hardest part. I'm still trying to figure out how to hold it, the razor, not the chin. I tried it using only the hollow ground side, but gave in and ended up using both sides. I didn't do anything fancy. no XTG, just wanted to get through a whole shave. So I still have a few hairs showing, and a rough feeling face that stings, but I didn't cut myself, really. Now for the soap. I tried Godrej, because I read somewhere that it lathers well. I have hard water and couldn't get a good lather. I need to watch more video's. I have a sandlewood soap that came with my brush and mug set, and some MWF and some cream coming in the mail. I think I'll practice making lather and use my mach 3 while I'm getting my Iwasaki honed. I'm not giving up, it's a challenge now.
What is a fairly inexpensive, but good, western style straight I can get to try that style? And from someone that will make sure its shave ready. Thanks for listening.
Tony G:gwh:
