Thread: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

As a general rule of thumb, if it is forge folded in any means and cheap it is best to avoid. There is a reason that forge folding from reputable places costs so much, the smiths experience. Virtually any joe schmoe can get two separate pieces of still to forge weld together and stay in one piece. It takes experience to do it right so the pieces are FULLY laminated and not have inclusions etc. This applies to not just razors either, avoid cheap forge folded knives and swords until you spend the cost savings in research time.

Well, after some PMs with ClassicEdge, I like his idea. I think I'll frame it as my first purchase and my last foolish purchase. A reminder of buyer beware. It'll look nice anyway. And I'll always be able to tell people that the scales are "real mammoth bone", whether they are or not.

Even though, sometimes we all just have to make the purchase to get the feet wet before jumping in. Research before a purchase pays off in the end.

Originally Posted by sunsnow

Well, after some PMs with ClassicEdge, I like his idea. I think I'll frame it as my first purchase and my last foolish purchase. A reminder of buyer beware. It'll look nice anyway. And I'll always be able to tell people that the scales are "real mammoth bone", whether they are or not.

You can use for stropping practice, and as a letter opener.

Yeah, I figured I'd go the stropping practice route, but I LOVE the letter opener idea. That's badass!

It's still strange to me to actually look forward to shaving! I was on vaaction and then doing some packing/moving of stuff so I didn't actually shave for about 2 weeks, but How sweet it is! I still haven't had a chance to get that shave ready blade yet but it should be coming soon. I've started to pay closer attention to the direction of the hairs on my face and WHAT A FRIGGIN MESS! Just on my right cheek alone I have about 5 different directions. How on earth am I supposed to do anything with or against the grain when it changes direction every inch and a half? I just don't get it...

If I'm shaving just under my sideburns like a good little newbie, do I start at the top holding the blade horizontally and sahve downward? Or do I hold the blade vertically and shave horizontally moving towards my chin?

Most conventional pass would be to hold the blade horizontally and shave downward.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by sunsnow

It's still strange to me to actually look forward to shaving! I was on vaaction and then doing some packing/moving of stuff so I didn't actually shave for about 2 weeks, but How sweet it is! I still haven't had a chance to get that shave ready blade yet but it should be coming soon. I've started to pay closer attention to the direction of the hairs on my face and WHAT A FRIGGIN MESS! Just on my right cheek alone I have about 5 different directions. How on earth am I supposed to do anything with or against the grain when it changes direction every inch and a half? I just don't get it...

If I'm shaving just under my sideburns like a good little newbie, do I start at the top holding the blade horizontally and sahve downward? Or do I hold the blade vertically and shave horizontally moving towards my chin?

Its been my experience, with hairs all over like yours, that you find happy mediums. It does not have to be perfectly against the grain or with the grain to get a great shave. My personal experience for comfort and good shave (not saying super bbs but good) and I will stick with MY cheek routine, yours may vary. WTG cleans nice on a straight down pass. ATG for most of it is like 45 degrees, follows the line from corner of jaw to between the eyebrows. with a little straight verticle for the sideburns.

Point being, with time, attention and practice you will find 2 or 3 lines that will clear the hair like you want.

Originally Posted by LameBMX

Point being, with time, attention and practice you will find 2 or 3 lines that will clear the hair like you want.

Time, attention AND practice? Oh jeese.... I'm screwed! hahahahahah

So I found this page in the wiki -

Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

And it breaks down the starter shave stroke by stroke. Do y'all agree pretty much with that kind of a set-up? How far does your personal shave differ from the illustrated?