Thread: Getting an edge on my cheap razor

My razor is a cheap one at the moment I can't afford anything better.

I tried a shave with it and it was painful. The hairs weren't so much been cut as pulled out. After what amounted to about 300 strokes on each side of the strop, the blade was still pulling the hairs. My question is, do I need to strop more, do I need strop paste or should I get a stone to put an edge of there?

What brand of razor is it? If it's new and cheap, it's probably from Pakistan, and it's unlikely that it can be made shave ready.

If it is good quality steel, it probably needs to be honed.

I don't know what the budget is. But getting a 30 dollar shave ready razor from the classifieds or Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales will be cheaper than trying to get tor current razor shave ready with a pasted strop. You will need a new strop and the pastes, that'll cost about the amount of a shave ready vintage.

Also, welcome to srp

Don't strop more. The edge needs to be sharpened. That can be done with another strop and some kind of abrasive paste, or a stone.

I'd suggest getting a stone, and sending the blade out to be honed. Once returned shave with the blade, do some sharpness tests, and strop, and shave some more. Then, with the purchased high grit hone, simply update the razor as needed.

Pretty simple plan.

We need to know the make in order to advise you.

What razor do you have and what equipment have you got?
and where is Devon http://straightrazorpalace.com/vbgooglemapme.php (who are you close to)?

My razor is an Imperial one, and the strop and brush are of a similar price range. I've been eyeing up other razors as something to look forward to should I ever get.... employed. As far as needlessly indulgent treats go, how do the more experienced members rate the value of this package?

Thiers-Issard Starter Kit

If the steel is from Pakistan, it will be tought to get a good edge. I would suggest to send it out to be professionally honed. Perhaps you could invest in some hones down the road. A good strop and some strop paste will suffice for a while once the razor has been honed.

It will be very difficult to get a shaving experience from the one you have. Honing will probably be a waste of money if you send it out. If you want to play with it your self go ahead.Check out our classifieds. You should be able to get a good shaving vintage piece for maybe $30 or so.

Originally Posted by NotMuchOfAChin

My razor is an Imperial one, and the strop and brush are of a similar price range. I've been eyeing up other razors as something to look forward to should I ever get.... employed. As far as needlessly indulgent treats go, how do the more experienced members rate the value of this package?

Thiers-Issard Starter Kit

I've seen those Imperial brand ones on Ebay and if it's one of them you've got I'm sorry to be the one to tell you you've bought yourself a paperweight. I did something very similar a few months ago so I know exactly how irritating it is (the situation and the 'shave'). Sorry mate.

I'd suggest going to either www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk or www.strop-shop.co.uk to have a look and get some advice.

Good luck!