Thread: SoCal newbie getting RAD

Just started and got my first straight off of eBay. I have 3 in my paws right now, and at least 3 or 4 more on their way.

I tried my first shave with a (supposedly) shave-ready W.H. Wirth "Blue Steel. I was in a hurry at the time, so I did one wtg pass on my dominate side. I'm going to need alot of practice.

I also just got the following:
Union Razor 5/8
M. Jung 5/8

and these are in the mail:
Diamondine
Robeson ShurEdge

I'm going to hold off trying my hand at honing for awhile.

Welcome to SRP.

Your idea about holding off on honing is a great one. Send those ones out to become shave ready. Check the classified section of SRP for members who offer honing services, you may even find one in your area.

Good luck with the shaves. It's too much fun to ever give up.

Maxi

Originally Posted by Chelicerae

Just started and got my first straight off of eBay. I have 3 in my paws right now, and at least 3 or 4 more on their way.

I tried my first shave with a (supposedly) shave-ready W.H. Wirth "Blue Steel. I was in a hurry at the time, so I did one wtg pass on my dominate side. I'm going to need alot of practice.

I also just got the following:
Union Razor 5/8
M. Jung 5/8

and these are in the mail:
Diamondine
Robeson ShurEdge

I'm going to hold off trying my hand at honing for awhile.

Welcome to SRP...Instead of more eBay buys, I would recommend getting one or two str8s from the classified that are shave ready (not eBay shave ready)...this way you would know what shave ready means. eBay items may not afford this luxury.

As for holding off on honing...As much as I'd like to agree with Maxi, I must disagree. You don't have to hold off honing until your shaving technique comes together. That advice is a fantastic one if you only have one or two straight razors and didn't have a standard/base line to judge their shave readiness by and didn't want to learn honing. But, if you have several str8s in your arsenal (as you seem to have), take one or two of those and use them as practice razors and use them to learn honing...It's' never too early, IMO. It's important to remember to keep the "shave ready" ones for your daily rotation and shaving.

Just my $.02

Welcome to SRP. Post some pix of what you get with the blades exposed and we'll let you know if they are worth the cost of sending out to be honed. Jumping in with both feet I see.

Would have to agree with what has been said. Almost anything off ebay will need work. Since you're diving in with both feet, buy the stones and get to work! Sending out a number of str8 razors can get expensive.

As the saying goes, give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life!

Well, my second shave tonight. I even shaved off my wimpy mustache just so I'd have more area to shave. This time I used a Diamondine 6/8. Not that it was such a great shave, I was happy not to end up in the ER.

Question...do most people use their dominant hand on both sides, or do you switch hands?

Another question...are what's called "barber hones" a certain grit size? How do they compare to, say, a 12,000 grit for blade maintenance? If I started with just one hone, which would be my best bet?

Agreed with the shave ready ebay. I got one that said shave ready I used it and it shaved but I went back over with my Lynn honed razor and it took off even more hair and was more comfortable. So send them out to get honed and see what a real shave ready feels like.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with having multiple str8s, personally I have two Dovos and I love them. Why do you buy mutliple str8s from different makers? Do they each have a different touch to them?

Welcome aboard! Send at least one out to get honed by a professional (see the classifieds). You will be eliminating one variable from the mystery of why you aren't getting the expected results from your shave. Otherwise, you will be trying to figure out what the issue is, shaving technique or bad edge. Also, don't get twisted up in your underwear over HHT and other various tests. They don't tell you the razor is shave ready. Only your face will tell you that. Look at it another way, with your one (or as many as you can afford) professionally honed razor you will have something to compare your honing against. Don't give your razor to your buddy who does a good job of sharpening knives, unless that buddy also uses a straight razor. Different edge required.

One more thing, there is no known cure for AD's...