Thread: The Art of Shaving

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That is absolutely positively the worst thing you could possibly do....

DO NOT let anyone that does not shave with a straight razor daily TOUCH your razor...
Most all knife guys have no idea how to sharpen a razor..

The fact that you even posted that advice, is a sign that you haven't read the Beginners Tips and the Wiki on this Forum, that are designed specifically to protect you New Guys from BS advice just like that...

I was not posting this as advice. This is the advice that the man at AOS gave me. I figured that he just worked there but did not shave with a st8.

Thanks though. I was frustrated in that I thought I had purchased a shave ready to learn with and now I will have to take the time to it hone first. Was hoping to get a bit of mentoring if I found someone in the area. No luck yet, still trying.

Originally Posted by okiwen

I was frustrated in that I thought I had purchased a shave ready to learn with and now I will have to take the time to it hone first. Was hoping to get a bit of mentoring if I found someone in the area. No luck yet, still trying.

Your plan to get a shave ready razor is the right way to go. Think of this as just a little set back. I suggest that you find a top Honemeister and send your razor out. It shouldn't take too long to get it back and it's relatively inexpensive. Only then will you know with some certainty that your razor is sharp enough, which will free you to concentrate on shaving.

At some point you may decide to take on honing your own razors but now is not the time IMO. Now you want to minimize the variables and overcome the learning curve.

I bought a new TI at TAOS also. I also did not get a great shave from it, but I was (am) also a NOOB. I also had a vintage razor I got on eBay that I honed on a Spyderco knife sharpening kit (advice I received from a knife sharpener who does the razors for local Barbers. Bad advice again) Although that vintage actually shaved better than the TI! I sent the TI to Lynn to have it honed, and bought a Dovo from Lynn also. I also bought some Norton stones and a vintage Swaty and rehoned the vintage razor. I am getting great shaves from all of them now.
So I recommend you send your TI to SRD for a pro honing. Only takes about a week.
I do not recommend buying anything off eBay, because then you will be another guy outbidding me!