Quote Originally Posted by mpukas View Post
Thanks for all the replies, encouragement and feedback. I can definitely see where I need to practice and improve. I have previously read through a lot of the wiki and Lynn's tips and other stuff, so I feel pretty well armed with knowledge, now I just need to put it all into practice and find out what works.


Yeah, I think I prolly **** the edge by stropping it poorly. Like I said, the blade wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be, but I didn't do it any favors, and it prolly was plenty sharp to shave with when I got it. Afterward I took a scrutinizing look at the the strop and the blade on it, and I noticed that since the strop is brand new and not broken in yet, it's not flat across it's entire length. Through most of the middle there's a slight concave bow to it and most of the blade doesn't touch it.

I have a bench stropping system that I'm in the process of making, and I have some nice bridle leather, 3" x 12". I very carefully stropped the blade on that and I immediately noticed an improvement. I have some other products and materials on the way that I'll use as I feel the need to refine the edge further.

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

I'm gonna keep at it! Thanks again - Cheers! mpp
I agree with you on the great shaves with a 5 blader. I used a Gillette Pro Fusion and Pro Glide for years, along with the Quattro and the Mach 3 and never had a bad shave. I used to get the cartridges to last for months and never got nicks, cuts, razor burn or in-grown hairs.

I don't think you have to hate cartridges to move to straights. I like 'em all, DEs, cartridges, and straights. Today was the Pro Fusion, tomorrow a Merkur HD, and Saturday morning has a 8/8 Wade and Butcher honed up and waiting for it.

I didn't start shaving with a straight razor to save money. So far it's been pretty expensive. I didn't do it to save the local landfill either. I did it because it was a challenge to learn and fun to do.