Thread: The great experiment

Looks like the last link didn't work, let's see if this one does. For a Millennial, I am very technologically challenged.

I have said this before, and had a discussion with a new member about it today...the posts that Razorfeld and aDavidson made are exemplary of what SRP is about. Keep it up all, this is a wonderful place to learn, to share and to have some sense of community and what fellowship means.

Originally Posted by adavidson

Despite letting an embarrassing amount of time pass before being able to respond, I wanted to share a quick shot of cudarunner's handiwork, and publicly thank Razorfeld for his time, patience, and generosity while introducing me to the world of straight razor shaving. Before I got my razors, I spent a couple of years researching and putting off actually starting, knowing that there was this massive learning curve that I didn't have the resources or time to take on. Between Razorfeld and cudarunner, I was able to save myself months, if not years, and countless dollars. One morning with Razorfeld taught me more than I could have learned in a year on my own. He set me up with even more supplies (including some great tea) than my couple of years of research had led me to believe I needed, and did me the huge favor of showing me what to do, taking me through the process, allowing me to ask questions, and then letting me make mistakes and learn on my own. I am happy to say that I gave myself the best shave I have ever had yesterday via the 5/8 Special, in no small part thanks to its unique tip. I actually enjoy it immensely - once I put in the initial time and concentration to learn how to use it as an asset, rather than avoiding it, I actually think I prefer it. So thank you to cudarunner and Razorfeld for both making the decisions to let me learn how to use it, because it really opens up the versatility of the blade, in my opinion.
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I am very happy with cudarunner's work. As you can see, he went above and beyond by cleaning up the blades substantially, and did an overall fantastic job of preserving the blades while also returning them to their previous levels of utility.

I do not possess the words necessary to explain my gratitude to both cudarunner and Razorfeld for helping introduce me to the art of straight razor shaving. They are both great guys, and I am looking forward to many future razor-themed adventures with them in the future.

It was not only a Privilege But an Honor to work on Andrew's Great Grandfather's Razors.

I must tell all of you that Andrew's ancestor had very good tastes and I think a good eye. So many of the older razors have so many problems including warps and other 'imperfections' from manufacturing and non of those were present with his heirloom razors! This leads me to believe that when they were purchased they were looked over very well before purchase.

Also as the time came that the razors had reached the point of diminishing return that they were cared for very well. There was NO RUST! Only years worth of gentle patina.

With the love and care that I'm certain that Andrew will provide these heirlooms, they will be shaving his great grandchildren some day.

Andrew, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for you to trust in me to bring such wonderful heirlooms back to life to do what they were meant to do and that is to give wonderful shaves! :

Big 'Atta Boy', Gents!

Kudos also to adavidson for being an enthusiastic and teachable student for two fine teachers.

Having respect for the knowledge and experience of others is quite commendable these days, it would seem.
I work with youngsters all the time who feel they are smarter than anyone with that phone in their pocket.
They learn the hard way at a much slower rate, I think! JMO

Good work!

Speaking of teaching young guys Sharptonn, I had my first time to teach a young guy to straight shave today. What a great experience for both of us. My cousin was visiting today and complaining about his beard and shaves. The guy is 37 years old, has shaved with a cartridge since he was pubed, and has a beard like no other I have seen. He's one of those poor guys that really should shave twice a day and he was mad at his ingrown whiskers. I told him that I have no problem because I shave with a straight and showed him a couple of razors in my rotation. He was very interested so I asked him if he wanted a go at it. He wanted to try my L.&A. Razor Co. shavette so we went to the shave den and he got lathered up. With my coaching he went for a full WTG pass with the shavette and did remarkably well. I told him he wasn't done yet and asked if he would like to try my Boker 6/8 Silver Steel. The guy was so happy with his first pass with the shavette he went with a full Boker ATG pass to finish up. When he was done he splashed on a good dose of Bay Rum and had a ear to ear grin. I think I made a convert today and SRD will have another customer.

Let's here more from any pf the members that have had the chance to introduce someone to this crazy hobby of ours>

Man! That is a cool bunch of revelations from you guys. The ingrown hair thing is why I went from clippers to straights, myself.
Excellent!

Every other shave of the day today was with my 1820ish near wedge. I'm discovering that I'm doing some subconscious adjustments when I'm not using the 8/8. Didn't realize it until I was done and was spraying on some witch hazel. Yikes! I had used more inward pressure than normal without even thinking about it. Sting city!! Moral of the topic: Assuming you know what you are doing is false unless you stop and deliberate on your plan of attack for that (and only that) shave. Another day, another plan. Awarded myself a second mint for lunch dessert for realizing that fact.

Well, after all this enthusiasm and success, I've hit a bump. Changing nothing (that I'm aware of), I've had 2, maybe 3 subpar shaves with one of my favorites, the W&B FBU, pictured last week and in SOTD.

I've started to have pulling and lack of "efficiency"cutting whiskers on pass 1 WTG, I think I may have pressed too hard for success, outthought myself, and unconsciously kept changing angles, none of it particularly comfortable.

Advice is welcome, but in the meantime, I'm going to strop that big blade a lot tomorrow, shave with the Mongoose to give my face a rest, and then strop it up and have another go Wednesday. I know it's me. I just can't figure out exactly what I'm doing wrong/different.

After a week on the road (again), I got home Friday and sent some time stooping the FBU. 20 SRD premium fabric, 30 on SRD English Bridle on the paddle strop, 30 on SRD Premium 1 leather and 30 on my favorite Roo strop. Bowl lathered with the Castle Forbes and went to work. I'm happy to report that my problem was ME :banged:and with attention to lather and angle, I got an easy 2 + pass shave that was good for two days. No pull, no irritation, no problems.

Guess that proves the devil is in the details!