I did it...

[Rusty Shackleford]

I finally did it and it was awesome, but I still need help. I finally gathered enough of the materials to bring a razor back from the dead and then shave with it. I purchased an old razor called a "Superior Razor Company" from Germany. I honed out all of the nicks and created a good edge with my grandfathers old hone (I don't know what it is). I purchased an old barbers hone called a "Honwell" and used that along with/in combination with my new strop (that I made) and my own flat bed hone system with pastes. I purchased the leather from Hand American along with the green and black diamond paste that they sell. I made a hanging strop and two flat hones out of the other piece of leather. I sharpened the blade up and was popping hairs with the HHT and shaving my arm like crazy. I finally shaved with it and it was awesome. Don't get me wrong, the shave itself sucked but the act of doing it was awesome. Right up there with all of the other great highs in life.

Problem is I had a days growth on my face and the dang thing just did not cut as I expected it would. I have a tough beard and as I made my strokes I felt that the razor was actually being almost stopped by the whiskers. Oh, for the prep...I showered and then put on my pants. There was no way I was going to a la nude on my first go around. I then lathered and hot toweled. Lather again and then 30 rounds on my new strop. Touch up the lather and went to work on it. I went downward on the first pass and up on the second. I skipped a large portion of my chin area and then cleaned up with a DE. No cuts or nicks and actually very little irration (at least less than usual). I guess my main question about all of this is the basic newbie question of "is it sharp enough"? I don't know the actual blade that I used is not very big, I'm not sure of the size, but it is smaller. Should I try shaving everyday with it instead of skipping a day so there is not as much whiskers? Send it out for honing, buy a shave ready, or what? I don't know for sure. So here I am needing some advice...

Thanks in advance,
Pary

[xman]

Welcome to the straight shaving fraternity.

It sounds to me like you have some decent tools, but I'm not familiar with them specifically. Seems like you should get a good edge from them. If you're getting caught up in the whisjers on the with the grain pass then you might be able to get it sharper. Getting it honemeister honed will set the bar for you so I'd recommend it sooner rather than later. I find that the shave is actually easier witha couple of days growth on and in any case it shouldn't change how teh keeness of the edge reacts with the whiskers. I fyou decided to try and shave later tonight with a less than adequate blade it just wouldn't cut anything wheras if you waited till Monday morning, you'd likely get some benefit from te same edge.

X

[Flanny]

A number of things could be affecting the shave also. When I'm in the steamy shower I sometimes slip and angle the blade too much. I'll end up at a 45 degree angle if I'm not careful, I have to close the angle and pay attention. The 45 degree angle gives me a bad shave while a 20 degree or so seems to work wonders.

Your hones may not be giving you the grind that you need for a good cut. First time I shaved with a dull blade I was able to do it but I had to pull my skin really tight and the irritation wasn't worth it.

Have you read the files and watched the videos on the shaving in the file section here? Those are a really good place to start.

I'm really limited in my knowledge but following the advise of the veterans I was able to learn to hone really well. I also live driving distance from Lynn (the forum founder) and got a shave ready cattaraugus from him and that helped tremendously.

Glen F

[Rusty Shackleford]

Xman and FUD, thanks for all of the advice. I think what I'm probably going to do is pick up something that is shave-ready so that way I have a benchmark for the sharpness. That way I can play around on my current razor and see if I can get it to where I want it to be and still have something to use that works also.

FUD thanks for the advice on the angle of the blade. To tell the truth I didn't even think of that. I was so worked up about using it, I know I wasn't paying that great of attention to the angle. After reading your advice about the angle though I changed it on the second go around and it did make some difference.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm not messing up the edge on the hanging strop. Oh well, practice makes perfect and this is not something that I'm going to give up on so I'm sure that I'll get it sooner or later. Anyways, pretty soon here I'm going to be in the market for something that is shave-ready and I would like to get it from someone who is a member of this form. Another stupid question; do I just post that I'm looking for one in the Buy/Sell/Trade area when I'm ready?

Thanks again for all of the advice given here. Even though I'm probably not getting the best shave with what I got, it has still been a great experience for me and everyone here has helped make that possible.

Thanks - Pary

[xman]

... do I just post that I'm looking for one in the Buy/Sell/Trade area when I'm ready? ...

That'll work just fine.

We're happy to help how we can. We've all experienced chalenges of our own and know how a few ideas can go a long way toward getting you the shaves you're looking for.

X

[RichZ]

Rusty,

I usually have to shave every day for work but I find I get a more satisfying shave if I have 2 days growth. I try and use a smaller razor on everyday and a bigger one after a few days of growth.
If its not cutting or its pulling its probably not sharp enough.

I also note that shaving sans pants is the only way to go!!

[TMike]

I also note that shaving sans pants is the only way to go!!

Man, you kill me with that. Its the thought of shaving sans parts that I worry about.

[FiReSTaRT]

As we pointed out several times over, it's a VERY disturbing image We're all hoping that Rich will go senile and forget to undress for a shave, thus sparing his family another trauma

[Dale]

Rusty,

I usually have to shave every day for work but I find I get a more satisfying shave if I have 2 days growth. I try and use a smaller razor on everyday and a bigger one after a few days of growth.

I've had the same experiences with getting a better shave with a couple days growth... can't for the life of me figure out why though...

If its not cutting or its pulling its probably not sharp enough.

must agree whole heartedly on this matter... more like skinning then shaving... I have a 7 razor rotation that I work with and when one can't be brought around with the strop, it gets set aside for honing... when I have 3 that need honed I break out the stones and have at it... shaving should be a pleasure not a chore and it definately shouldn't hurt...

I also note that shaving sans pants is the only way to go!!

for sure... keeps you humble, and your mind on the matters at hand...

[gfoster]

Uhm, if you've got the matter well in hand you probably shouldn't be shaving...

-- Gary F.