What should I do with new razor from ebay?
Hi everyone,
I've just started using a straight - 4 shaves so far - with a very cheap razor and strop set from amazon. Although I didn't have anything to compare it with, this blade was not as sharp as I expected (trying the HHT it cut in and then cut along the hair, not cutting it clean through.) Also the blade is very wide - 8/8 - and hard to use in the moustache area.
So I got an ERN Ator from ebay, which has just arrived. The seller described it as 'not shave ready, but can be made so by honing', but it is already sharper than the cheapo razor I started with - trying an HHT it catches for a moment and then cuts clean through, and it outperforms the cheapo at taking off arm hair.
The equipment available to me is a strop, which I've used a bit, and a Llyn Melynllyn barbers hone, which I haven't used at all yet. I don't know whether to
(1) Shave with the sharper Ator after only stropping it
(2) Try honing the Ator on the stone, as the seller recommends, then stropping
or
(3) Practice honing on the cheapo.
Most important to me is not damaging the blades, especially the new Ator, and having something which I can shave with. I guess some will say 'send the Ator to a professional for proper honing' but I've already spent more than I intended on shaving kit, and if possible I'd rather do it myself. Any advice gratefully received.
(PS thanks to all for the wealth of information already here - great site, and I've lurked for a while and picked up lots of useful tips!)