First Shave with an eBay Razor that I Cleaned, Honed and Stropped myself!!!

Well, I finally summoned the courage to do it, I bought a Filarmonica Double Temple 13 on eBay and cleaned, honed and stropped it on a paddle strop over the weekend and used it to shave a 5 day old beard! I couldn't believe my eyes, I was able to shave easily even though my wiskers are pretty stout! I didn't even have a nick or weeper with this razor. It took a little pressure to wade through my heavy beard but I managed to give myself an incredably close shave! As is my custom, I went over my face with a Mach 3 to hit the spots that I can't get to yet but never mind, this was a trip. Thanks to everyone on this board that helps all us newbies, and especially to Lynn Abrams, this was an experience like a first kiss! And yes, I still remember what that was like even after all these years!!! :y

Welcome to the inner circle RD. Now you know what it's all about :nj

And irony of ironies, I've been having trouble getting my new Filly up to shave ready. Well done and congratulations. :tu

X

Just waiting for my razor to return from the US as Lynn is kindly putting an edge on it for me...I take it this is the path I need to follow?

Would something like this do for an entry level hone?
http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...Stone.html#a26
If so I'll buy and get searching e-bay. If not do I bite the bullett and get the 4000/8000 from classic shaving!?

Definitely looking forward to getting the honed blade back! Tried it before hitting this site only to be sorely disappointed!

Mine was easy, but I'm having trouble with a Boker and a Genco of all brands. These should be easy, based on my past experience.. Go figure :shrug:

That hone's too narrow for proper honing and being from Canada, I've never heard of a CDN hone you could hone a razor with.

Congratulations!

That first really fine shave with a razor you cleaned up and honed yourself is a great experience. Now you're hooked for good.

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Originally Posted by Bradford Si

Would something like this do for an entry level hone?
http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...Stone.html#a26
If so I'll buy and get searching e-bay. If not do I bite the bullett and get the 4000/8000 from classic shaving!?

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That's a fascinating link and I hope somebody has some information about that hone (Silicon Carbide anyone?), but I'd have to say get the Norton hone or a 4 sided pasted paddle to keep your razors in trim to start. Branch out from there. Have fun with the shaves!

X

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

That's a fascinating link and I hope somebody has some information about that hone (Silicon Carbide anyone?), but I'd have to say get the Norton hone or a 4 sided pasted paddle to keep your razors in trim to start. Branch out from there. Have fun with the shaves!

X

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The American Hone Co. once produced a combination hone, the "Reliance" that is silicon carbide on one side and aluminum oxide on the other. The silicon carbide is fast cutting.


Scott

Now I understand your attraction to the Fili.
Rick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by honedright

The American Hone Co. once produced a combination hone, the "Reliance" that is silicon carbide on one side and aluminum oxide on the other. The silicon carbide is fast cutting.


Scott

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Something for a rank amateur to avoid then?

rgdominguez - how long did it take you to get the knack?

I've been shaving with a Feather for a couple of weeks, and after reading some posts on the Feather here, I really was careful. The Filarmonica that I talk about in this post is the first razor that I honed and stropped. It is also the first straight razor other than the Feather that I have ever used. I do have honing experience because of my knife collection but this is my first experience with razors. The Filarmonica is a lot more forgiving than the Feather, boy, do I understand the meaning of that phrase now! I actually bought the Feather thinking that it was safer, was I ever in for a surprise. And my shave with the Filarmonica is actually closer, no doubt in part due to my building up the confidence to be more agressive with this razor compared to the Feather.