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Two months of shaving with 8 shaves and my razor needs to be honed again. When I received it, it was shave ready and passed HHT. I guess my stropping technique needs some work because now it won't pass HHT and my God does it hurt to shave! I don't doubt the honemeister I bought the razor from, I'm just disappointed that I don't have a backup razor while I send this one out.:banghead:
I think you have correctly diagnosed the problem being your stropping. The lack of HHT is irrelevant but the painful shave says it all. Before sending it out, try CAREFULLY stropping 100 times on linen, canvas, whatever followed by 100 strokes on leather.
What type of strop do you have?
+1 with Utopians comments. I would also point out, for the future at least, that shaving technique and beard prep will also be factors in edge longevity. As you gain more experience with both (and stropping) you'll notice your edges will last a lot longer. Remember to keep your angle low and watch the pressure; too much and it will chew up your edge (and your face).
when I started out I bought a Shavette for when my straight was out so I could still keep in practice. They are only like $25. But with like all things I do I now have more razors then sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by KingsRam
"Two months of shaving with 8 shaves"? Is that all you have to shave, essentially a shave every week? If your razor has been resting that much, it brings me to wonder whether you protected the edge with some kind of oil during the time it was resting. If not, the edge easily could have oxidized, especially if kept in a bathroom environment.
To answer a few of the replies.
I have a 3" Leather and Felt Strop from Star Shaving. I do 40 Felt 60 Leather pre shave and 30 felt 40 leather post shave.
I had hoped that I could get more shaves before a touch up. I guess I'll need to invest in a barber's hone or some CrOx to extend the life of my edge.
There's a big NO on putting oils on the blade, but I keep it in a separate bathroom from the showering.
I know you said it hurts to shave but does it shave? If it doesn't I doubt stropping on cloth or leather will do much. You probably need actual honing. If it still shaves but is uncomfortable the cloth stropping just might work but it will take alot of strokes.
I think you should be getting more shaves before you have to touch up the blade. I'm on shave #10 or so with the blade I'm currently obsessing over, and it is every bit as sharp and shave ready as it was ten shaves ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by KingsRam
As for keeping it in a bathroom without at least oiling the edge, I think you're asking for complications. Any bathroom, whether or not you shower in it, is going to have a higher humidity level than the rest of the house. I keep my razors well away from any bathroom, and I oil the edges of all of them with mineral oil applied carefully with a Q-tip. Oxidation can attack the edge very quickly if it is not protected.
Hmmm I think I'm gonna have to start oiling my other razor from the way it sounds. Mineral oil works well?
It works for me. I've used Vaseline petroleum jelly, but that can be a bit messy. Almost any oil on the edge is better than having it exposed to airQuote:
Originally Posted by dewey81
and moisture. I've started using a Q-tip to apply it carefully, but may start using my fingertip and applying it in the direction of the edge to avoid
friction and, of course, cuts. It really can't hurt.
Sounds good, I'll have to check it out.
I use baby oil and a Q-tip... baby oil is just sented mineral oilQuote:
Originally Posted by dewey81
Got plenty of that with a 10 month old at home lol
I bet ya have a drum of it!!Quote:
Originally Posted by dewey81
I would be glad to send you a loaner razor. If interested PM me with your name and address, or email LarryAndro@GMail.com.
KingsRam,
'Short' edge life is not unusal in the early days of straight shaving. At the start so many things have to come togther, 'just so' !
As the others have said, as your experience builds up, you will find that your edges are longer lived.
As edge life depends on so many variables, a hard and fast figure isn't possible to predict :(
Good luck and good shaving for the future !
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
thanks for all the replies. I figured it was technique that caused the dulling. I will, from here on out, oil my blades to prevent any oxidation. I still have a question about using CrOx or diamond spray on my felt and if I should try that to extend the life.
Don't run out and buy a barbers hone yet because if incorrect stropping technique is the cause, and has done that to your blade, imagine what you'll do to it with a barbers hone. Send it for honing and start from scratch.Quote:
Originally Posted by KingsRam
I've had my razor maybe 5 - 6 weeks now ( i think) with three pass shaves everyday, and i still have a nice comfortable shave (am able to get a good HHT for novelty value) and i like to think it was because i was completely OCD about stropping.. It could take me 15-20 mins to do 50 laps when i started because i was going very very slowly and paying attention to the blade. It's gotten faster now obviously but one thing i'll say is you can't strop enough (properly). am convinced it's why my razor is still servicable.
little tip is that in order to see if your blade is properly flat, roll it from the spine until the blade is on the strop in a strong light. anywhere the blade isn't properly contacting, you'll see a hint of shadow under the edge. Listen for the rasping/hissing noise too, and make sure it's the same on both strokes of the lap. pull the strop tight and go slow This may all sound, as said, a little OCD, but it's worked for me..