Dull blade after pro sharpening LA, ATX

Started using a replaceable blade straight razor about 8 months ago, and on Saturday I picked up my great-grandfather's razor from sharpening at the well known Ross cutlery in downtown LA during travels. Though they expertly saved a dinged blade, upon first use, it made the scraping, pulling noise I've heard many times from a second to third use of a replaceable blade. Is this what straight razor shaving will be like? Or is Ross losing their edge? If so, can anyone in the Austin, San Antonio, Houston area recommend a blade service?
Thanks, etiquette of Connecticut.

Check out the guys on here that offer sharpening services here:Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
You FOR SURE will have a Shave Ready Razor!

First off welcome to SRP. Second is Ross Cutlery a straight razor shop or just a all around we sharpen anything type shop? Third did they or did you strop the razor before its first go? forth post some picks so maybe we can see what's going on. And take a look in the classifieds for a true honing expert

Thank you both. Ross cutlery specializes in all blades, and is the go to sharpening service for straights in the LA area; they a licensed Dovo sharpener. I was told the razor was stropped and shave ready, but I did not strop it as I was traveling, so hopefully that's all it takes.

The Razor

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Attachment 130447

We'll with that being said maybe it just needs a good stropping. As for the scrapping sound all straight make a different sound. I have some that don't make a sound at all and others that just sound plan mean :) Did it shave you nice and smooth?

It did produce a good shave, though not as close as I've seen with replaceable blades. And there was definitely a dull-pull, plus noise.

It sounds to me that the only thing that's wrong is its going to take you some time and patience to learn a new trade. Straight shaving is going to be something you teach yourself and learn something new almost every shave tell that one day you put that straight down and notice you just had one of the greatest shaves of your life and you did it by putting a piece of some of the finest steel on earth sharpened and taken care of by your own two hands. Sounds like you are on the right path my friend. Welcome, and enjoy the shaves

Thank you sir. You might very well be right. I've started this at the age of 19, and I'm only seven months in, but it's been great so far.
Cheers mates.

Please don't take this as expert advise, but if the razor seems to be pulling, it isn't sharp enough. I have mine tuned in to where it wipes the hairs off my face. When it starts to pull even a little I give it 8 or 10 laps on a CrOx pasted linen strop and give it 50 or so goes on the leather. That will usually put it back where it needs to be.

Your lather of choice would be a consideration, as well as experience, of course! Pulling and tugging would be normal when using a properly-honed straight with canned goo or tubed stuff designed for DE's. If you go straight, get the proper lather!
Lubricity is key!

Aside from blades, my true involvement with SRS has been the science of finding the perfect combination of utilities for the optimum shave. For this shave, I prepped with a light exfoliation and steamed towel as always, and then used a mixture of Van Der Hagen premiere shave soap and Jack Black shave cream.

eoC,

I think the noise you're hearing is the normal sound of a hollow ground blade. Hollow grinds are very thin blades and will plink with each cut on a whisker, more commonly called a singing razor. As you get heavier grinds, half, quarter, or wedge the sound decreases until with a quarter or wedge, you really don't hear it at all. Here's a link to show different grinds.
The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Enjoy your great grandfather's razor, heirlooms are special. :D

Regards,

Howard :)

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Originally Posted by edtiquiteofCT

Aside from blades, my true involvement with SRS has been the science of finding the perfect combination of utilities for the optimum shave. For this shave, I prepped with a light exfoliation

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What is a "light exfoliation"?

Gentle moisturizing facial scrub to remove dead skins cells and open pores.

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Originally Posted by edtiquiteofCT

Gentle moisturizing facial scrub to remove dead skins cells and open pores.

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OH! ,

Yea, for sure that scritch, scritch sound like when you butter toast is the normal sound for a full hollow ground razor to make. It is not an indication of dullness. I have never used a shavette but folks on here have said the technique with a straight is a little different than with a shavette. IIRC it has to do with the angle of the blade being slightly different. I am sure with a little dialing in of technique you will be fine.

Bob

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

OH! ,

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Nobody just lathers up and shaves anymore, it is a lot more technical than that don't ya know. :angel:

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Originally Posted by BobH

Nobody just lathers up and shaves anymore, it is a lot more technical than that don't ya know. :angel:

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Soooooo we dont "wash our face" any more! We exfoliate........lightly! :D

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Soooooo we dont "wash our face" any more! We exfoliate........lightly! :D

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By George I think you have got it now.

Bob