[Comedy of Errors] The things I've learned in the first two months.

Good evening all,

My wife bought me a pretty nice starting set of straight razor goodies for Christmas this year, and I'm finally familiar enough with my gear and have read enough that I think I'm ready to share my experiences and ask for the voice of experience.

I got a nice Dovo (the one with the black plastic handle that says "best quality" on the blade), a Tweezerman badger brush, an Illinois 127 Strop, and a couple pucks of Col. Conks soap.


The good;

* Based upon what I've read on various forums, the Conk soap is overall pretty solid stuff, but can be difficult to get a decent lather out of. I've managed pretty consistently the past couple weeks to get a pretty good lather from it (hand lathering), and am looking around at a couple other products to try out. I'll be keeping the real soap for shaving for sure, and am going to try out Mystic Water and Ogallala soaps next to see how I like them (both have come pretty highly recommended for their Bay Rum soaps).

* 13 years experience in kitchens has given me a really comfortable hand with sharps of all sorts (as well as the appropriate "Fear of God"), and I have managed in the two and a half months using this razor the only nicks I get are around the skin-bump on my cheek. I am pretty confident in my blade handling in terms of safety, and really only need to learn the correct pattern for my face to get it nice and smooth.


The "why did you do that";

* In an effort to save a bit of time for quick morning shaves, I thought it might be a good idea to strop immediately after shaving instead of immediately before. Bad idea. I only did this 4 or 5 times, but I can already tell that the razor is going to need honed before it will shave well again.

* Similarly. I'm fairly convinced that, as has been said a billion times here and the other forum "Shave-Ready" means "have someone hone it". My razor came sharp enough to give about two really good shaves, and all since have required some after-shave cleanup with my old razor. Just haven't been able to do much with short stubble but push around lather.



In addition, I had a couple general questions.

* If I've decided that my razor does need to be honed, does it make more sense for the first time to find a good person in the area to do it proper the first time so I know what I'm going for, or just drop the cash on a set of 4k/8k stones since they cost the same as 3 hones anyhow?

* I'm still uncertain in my stropping. I've watched videos and read plenty, so I know the basic theory, but its still quite a few muscle-memory things to keep straight all at once, between keeping the strop taut, the edge touching, but not pressing into the leather, and doing an x while stropping. Which aspect of this is the most crucial one to get comfortable with first (so I know where to make sure I'm not getting careless).

My humble opinion. Yes you may need a good hone job first thing. Factory sharp is okay but not the best. If you hone yourself in the future you need to know what you are trying to achieve. If you only have 1 razor this is going to be a sad time but worth it. I sent mine to a member here and glad I did. Also if you haven't learned to strop yet are you ready to hone? I think there are some knife guys in here that will tell you a razor is a whole different animal.

When you strop you want to make sure the spine is always in contact and let the edge lay on the leather. If you lift the spine you ruin the edge by putting to much pressure on it. Imagine the edge folding over or bending. Just go slow and use light pressure keeping it flat and on the spine at all times. Try to roll it back in the other direction without lifting it at first. This will keep you from hitting the leather with the edge going the wrong direction. You'll get it, just go slow and light at first.

Good Luck. I am sure you will get more advice.

Stropping right after the shave is not an issue. The important thing is that you strop in between shaves, it doesn't matter when. Likely the dulling of your razor was 1. It did not come shave ready in the first place. Seeing as you started to see a decline in the edge the second time you shaved could be an indicator of this or it could be 2. Improper stropping. It is relatively easy to roll an edge when you first start out. The advice I was given when I started was to lay the strop on a very flat surface such as a counter top and strop that way. It keeps it flat and you can go slow and get the feel of what you are doing and get that muscle memory down before you move to hanging it. Also you need to keep not only the edge touching but also the spine. It should lay flat against the strop at all times. It is very wise that you want to send your razor out to get honed. It will indeed give you a point of reference to what shave ready really means and when you get to the point of honing and maintaining your blade you will know what to shoot for. Looks like you are having fun and are on the right track!

Hey, Im a newb too but i bought my razors from the classifieds on here. The razors that are sold on here that say they are sharp are SHARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get someone on here to hone it for you, you wont be dissapointed

When youp you want to make sure the spine is always in contact and let the edge lay on the leather. If you lift the spine you ruin the edge by putting to much pressure on it. Imagine the edge folding over or bending. Just go slow and use light pressure keeping it flat and on the spine at all times. Try to roll it back in the other direction without lifting it at first. This will keep you from hitting the leather with the edge going the wrong direction. You'll get it, just go slow and light at first.

Good Luck. I am sure you will get more advice.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Remember to go slow and steady speed is not nessasary. You can learn how to hone from video websites and the straight razor place. My 4k stone set me back $25 and my 10k $50. I dont know what prices are like in seattle. Definantly get your razor honed by a pro.