Thread: First Straight Razor and Shave

My first straight shave (except shavette). First pass was bad, second better, third better. 3 passes and touch ups not take too long and shave was not bad all. Cheeks BBS. No blood, no irritation. I found the shave very comfortable than safety razor. It's shave-ready but i feel little bit hesitation. Maybe was from me, my angle was too low because first shave scary. I make Hanging Hair Test, it's fail. Maybe it was not enough sharp. So it was acceptable, good shave.

I don't have strop and hone. Your recommends? First strop should be inexpensive one? Please recommend a hone for keep sharp my razors and other strop recommends...

I stropped on belt. It's better now but still not glide on my face and hurts, catch, not shaving beards well....


Razor from manyrazor. Photos are from seller.
SWORD / MADE IN GERMANY
Blade: Carbon Steel, "Nr. 1934 SWORD GERMAN HOLLOW GROUND"
Handle: Handmade, like a sword (which wood?)
Size: 11/16" (18 mm) 7 cm long, 16 cm closed, 24 cm open / blade 3,0" long, razor 6,5" closed and 9,5" fully open
Weight: 47 gr

Thank you very much.

I find this Silicon Carbide stone at home. I don't know how many grits. One side fine, other side coarse. Is that a barber hone? Can i use for sharpening my razor? Called here as "Oil Stone". If yes how to use dry or wet?
Actually like gray but on the photos like blue.

I am definitely not an expert on honing but I am afraid your stone looks way too coarse to hone your razor. A barber's hone looks as smooth as glass. If the bevel has been set on a razor, a Barber's hone can maintain the sharp edge.

Grossly Over Simplified:
300-800 grit: used to repair razor's edge (cuts very quickly)
4000/8000 grit: used to set razor's bevel
10,000 and above: used to smooth and refine edge
Leather strop: used before and after each shave to keep edge shave- ready.

I don't know the grit of my Franz Swaty Barber's Stone but I would bet it is between 8,000 and 12,000 grit.

I strongly encourage you to read all of the info on honing in the Wiki. It will answer many of your questions and give you a guide for honing.

Good luck!

Wow look at thoses scales

DLB thanks. Then i need any barber's hone and a strop.

Blademen thank you

I was think my blade not sharp enough, but no it's scared and angle less, shaked strokes.. Straight blade not like double edge blade. DE is very sharp but closed

Second shave was so good. Chin and neck hard but try again try again, finally i shaved. WTG / XTG and touch ups. Smooth shave. Little red neck. Neck and cheeks BBS.