My beginners odyssey so far

Just thought I'd share my story a bit and ask a question or two. Would really appreciate any input.

I was inspired to start using straights a few years ago when I was watching Pan's labyrinth... Specifically the scene where the fascist captain stepfather was using a straight to shave. He just looked like a different breed and was really able to pull off the kind of hard men that I think of when I think of my great great grandfather. Like they are made of steel. I was really impressed and it was an image that I've never been able to completely shake off.

A few weeks ago it randomly popped back in my head that I'd like to start shaving with a straight razor because I really didn't enjoy using the electric that I've been using for the last 6-7 years. So I started looking and researching and reading everything I could and watching all the videos I could find.

Eventually I decided I couldn't wait and made a trip to the Art of Shaving and purchased a re branded 5/8 dovo forestal with cocobolo scales, a brush, a strop, some pre and post shave stuff, and some cream.

Shave 1: definitely not shave ready. I was warned but didn't listen. Massive razor burn resulted.

Bought a 4k/8k norton

Honed the bejeesus out of it.

Second shave: went much better, still felt rough but much less burn.

Went back to the hone.

The shaves after that have been near flawless. I worked on my angle and pressure and just do one pass to allow my face the chance to adapt to using a blade again.

Weird thing about honing tho. I could never get my razor to shave my forearm after the 4k. But some time on the 8k I can get it to pass the HHT relatively easy. After that I strop it with my ti white pasted strop, then to bare leather and it shaves perfect. From what I've read about honing by Lynn he gets it to shave with the 4 or 5 before he goes to polishing so it makes me wonder if I'm wrong.

I'm also curious as to whether I should oil my daily shaver after each use?

So needless to say I'm excited and can't wait to get another razor and experiment with the world of straight razor shaving.

P. S. Thanks for putting up with my long windedness.

Welcome to SRP!

You figured it out and that's what counts in the end.

So far as honing goes, you should be able to "shave" forearm hair off the 4k Norton. You can get to the same place on the 8K side, but it will take longer. I struggled for a while with overdoing it on the honing. Not that I was necessarily "over honing" but I was putting too much time into it and my strokes and attention to detail would degrade thereby degrading the blade. I backed off and discovered the results came quicker when I took it a little bit at a time.

So far as oiling the blade, I don't. I haven't run into any issues with water spotting or rusting. But, all my blades were vintage and so I'm not super picky about a mirror finish b/c they never had one!

I'd encourage you to pick up a razor from SRD, or from a member here that has gotten it shave ready. Then you'll really have a comparison for how good a job you did honing your Dovo.

Peace,
Jim

I've actually been eyeballing things on SRD but they seem to be sold out of everything atm. The good thing is they are only about an hour away from me so I may drive out there and pick one up here soon. I would really like to have a second razor and maybe work up to a 7 day set. For some reason I want a j. A. Henckels vintage razor so I'm on the lookout as we speak.

Welcome to SRP