Hello all.

I'm a longtime, and I mean longtime lurker on the SRP forums. I've been following Lynn Abrams since I got my first shaving brush and safety razor about six years ago. I need a little help.

I've been shaving with straight razors for about four years, but I've always had someone else hone for me. I recently bought a Norton 4K/8K to rehabilitate some nicer vintage razors I've picked up here and there. I've been practicing on a Robeson ShurEdge which was in reasonable condition before I began, just didn't have a cutting edge.

My technique is obviously entirely unpracticed - I must have done a hundred passes on each side or more. After viewing some videos and reading some forums, I settled on the pyramid method - first an aggressive regimen, then a much more relaxed one. I've gone back to the conservative pyramid about five times, each with a good stropping, and every time the final shave test is uncomfortable. So I bought a Chinese 12K. Still no dice.

What I'm left with is a razor that's sharp enough to inconsistently cut off my arm hair. It's got about 1/8" flattening on the spine, which really bums me out because I feel like I've ruined an incredibly nice piece. I've never gotten it to feel as smooth on the thumb pad as my disposable blade straight razor that I'm using in the interim. I'm scared to mess up the Heljestrand, which I love.

I've read through pages and pages of advice, but I think that what I really need is some personal mentoring. Is there anyone here from central Pennsylvania who would be willing to meet up and help me out?

With my wife's blessing, I will provide one fine home-cooked meal, a couple drams of scotch, and a nice cigar (or a decent pipe-smoke!) to anyone who's willing to help me out. Heck, I'll gladly pay someone for the help if I have to.

Sorry to sound like a beggar. I've simply had no luck finding anyone in the area who can help me and I'm sort of at the end of my rope!