Thread: Hello All; New guy here on earth for nearly 50 yrs.

Excellent. Sounds like you're going well (apart from the TNT at the wrong time, I think that's a common mistake; I made it too). You definitely need more than one razor; and now you have a benchmark razor that sounds like it is sharp. It'll be interesting for you to get the first one back after honing, to see how it shaves when sharp. They all have their own personalities, you know...

Send out the dull razor, use your new razor.
And buy a grappy razor for 1 or $ 2 you can use it to practice on your stones.
The feeling of ....yes ...".I sharpened it myself" is almost as good as a good shave.

Originally Posted by marcoterzo

Think I'll use the voucher. Though I have the materials, & am tempted to fix myself... I think sending in to 'the man' will
give me that standard to go by. I will embark on the honing journey the next time as I will eventually need to anyway (I look
forward to it actually).

All respect to newbs who keep their hones in check

Definitely need more than one{two,three,four...} I can see it now!
Yes, anxious for my botched one to come back too. The new Bismark has a little more weight & ,definitely, a different personality.

Imagine you're right about that feeling. Fits my style.
Good idea on the practice razors too. That will be the game plan.

That new 6\8 Bismark definitely has it's own idenity! Use with care as it is different from a full hollow German vintage blade and can bite you very quick. When you get used to it you will love it. As for pasted strops, I have never used one in over 40 years of straight shaving. What I do use is .50 and .25 diamond spray on balsa as a finish. I use the linen, or wool on the strop soley for cleaning the edge before going to leather. Best Regards and happy shaving, wildhog

I love the Bismark already, wildhog! Can't believe I never did this earlier in life. I have the diamond spray, too, with a felt strop for when the time comes. Another day, and smooth again ;-}