Thread: beginner mistakes

Okay so I have only been shaving about 6 weeks with my Straight Razor. I had noticed in the past week my shaves were getting worse instead of better. So feeling a bit discouraged I went back to the start today. Phil from Classic Edge (goodtan on ebay) had provided me some products that it was time to break out.

First was a CrO2 "Bench Strop". This is a little different that any other CrO2 that i have seen advertised and most deffinatly different than my Balsa version. I grabbed a King Cutter I had honed myself and it was mediocre at best when i test shaved with it. So 30 trips on the Classic Edge CrO2 strop.

Then I had a new Strop from Classic Edge. and i had not used it. So I then did 45 Laps on the hard felt. This was also a first for me. Never had linen or felt previously.

i finished off with 75 on the Leather side.

Then off to shower and shave. My preshave prep did not change a ton, except this time I did a little facial massage after I lathered. Really worked the soap in, then re lathered.

Well this was the best shave I have had EVER! When I say ever I am even talking my best Barber Shop shaves included. The razor was just so smooth. I could not beleive the difference in the shave.

I have cheaped out making strops, buying cheap strops and taking short cuts. But in the end it cost me more as I ended up buying a decent product in the end and the difference is night and day.

I also can not say enough good things about Classic Edge (goodtan). Of all the Canadian retailers I have dealt with and spoke to he has been the most helpfull and giving of his time. I had contacted a couple of the other Canadian vendors and they were less than accomodating. Trying to buy from them I was made to feel they were doing me a favour and I was to accomodate them. Phil bent over backwards to make sure I was taken care of and I honestly feel he would have done anything to make sure I was happy. If your in Canada give him a try. You will not regret it.

Sorry if this feels like an advertisment but I went from considering using my old cartridge yesterday back to I wish I could shave again now.

Grats on finding back to great shaves.
It is true that stropping is of the essence (there's even a post called Stropping is King) and that quality equipment is important here. Stropping makes the shave.
So congrats on gathering great gear as well, glad it worked for you

I have several outstanding razors from Phil (Goodtann). He is a quality dealer.

Do you have a website address for "Classic Edge"?

Thanks!

The cheap strops have most likely been your source of your edge degrading so quick. Sounds like the pasted strop did a great job refreshing the edge.

Originally Posted by DLB

I have several outstanding razors from Phil (Goodtann). He is a quality dealer.

Do you have a website address for "Classic Edge"?

Thanks!

I don't think he has a website. At least, I haven't been able to dig it up.

Great story. I've only had my sixth (I think) shave today, only second with a strop. After the first shave I didn't strop at all (didn't have one), and after the second stropped on a newspaper. After stropping on just the leather side (50 round trips) the difference was noticeable. Also, for me, at this very early stage, I'm still learning to REALLY concentrate and prepare REALLY well. I might try the fact massage thing....

I have been straight shaving for a while now and except for one problem area I get comfortable BBS shaves.

Under my right jaw line, continuing down the right side of my adam's apple the entire area has a really neat swirl pattern. This must have been where Dr. Whirling Durbish swung me around his head to fling off afterbirth and get me breathing on my birthday. Gee thanks, Doc!

Years ago (many - too many) I gave up on this area and decided that whatever happened with one pass would be better than the feeling I had just laid my neck against the rear tire of a jacked up Honda Gold Wing until smoke came off the tire.

Evidenced by the hamburger-like appearance of my jawline... Yep... I've been trying to find a way to get into this area.

I can get at part of it - now that my skin has fallen away from the bone a bit - by pulling this area up above the jaw and attacking it with a "North, South, East, West" pass, that results in... Yep2... road rash. I have two nice gashes at the moment that will have to heal for a few days, but I have decided to go back to the 'one pass' routine until the end of summer. Road rash and sweating like a pig do not go hand in hand.

One of these days I hope to find a way to tackle this trouble spot, but for now all my claims of BBS shaves will - for me at least - not include 'tornado alley'.

I will ask Phil if it is okay to post the web site here. I found it by fluke and it was not finished yet. If he clears it then I will share

Originally Posted by tonycraigo

I have been straight shaving for a while now and except for one problem area I get comfortable BBS shaves...One of these days I hope to find a way to tackle this trouble spot...

"...If a TWIN Razor does not meet with your entire approval it will certainly be due to the fact that the hollow grinding of the blade or the width of it is not suitable for your beard. In such cases please do not make any experiments with the razor but consult your dealer.

J.A. HENCKLES TWINWORKS AG SOLINGEN"

from "Instructions of use for Razors" included with every new Friodur razor but I don't know how to match grind/width of a razor to a particular beard "type", but it's only my first day here.

Evidenced by the hamburger-like appearance of my jawline... Yep... I've been trying to find a way to get into this area.

Have you considered "cheating" with a DE razor for that area? The blades are sharp enough for ATG passes (at least, Feather blades are, on my face), they're smaller and more manoeuverable that a straight razor, and they don't cut you as often, or as deep.

Charles