Thread: It all arrived today!

I started using a straight razor a few weeks ago and bought a few hones and learned to do that as well. I started with a Gold Dollar razor from ebay.

I just had my best shave yet yesterday by the way.

Since I didn't have anything else to compare my work to I decided to order a used shave ready razor from Whipped Dog.

It arrived today (as did several other items). It's only a little bit sharper than my honing job so I'm glad that mine is close and also glad that there is a little room for improvement as well!

Unfortunately if arrived with a crack by the pivot fin and the scales came off shortly thereafter. I still shaved with it without scales.

I had planned on making some scales for the GD razor so now I'll just start with the WD razor first.

I'm starting in on hand-polishing the blade and then I start the process of making scales. I have the raw materials for that now (pins and washers arrived today) and the black walnut blanks arrived a few days ago. My next attempt will use more colorful and figured wood.

My box of 100 Astras and a Gillette Super Adjustable (Black Beauty) DE with long handle arrived today as well.

After shaving with the WD blade I finished up with the Black Beauty. I had no trouble shaving with that. I'm sure all my practice with a straight razor helped since I knew to do multiple passes and to always keep my skin lathered.

I also knew to let the weight of the head be the only pressure used. Yesterday my 12 pack of Van Der Hagen shaving soap arrived.

So the next project will be learning the in's and out's of hand polishing carbon steel. I'm not using any hand tools on this. So far I used some micro film that I had laying around. I also have 1k and 2k wet/dry sandpaper and green chromium oxide "crayons".

I tried a little "Goof Off" on the tang and it got a little off but I think the rest will require time, sandpaper and elbow grease.

At least now I don't have to question my honing skills and my shaving technique has improved at lot lately by keeping the angle narrow.

Most of the other things that I see people worrying about (stropping technique and lathering) are minor in my opinion. They are issues only if you really aren't doing them correctly.

Otherwise, if you are having some issues I think it's generally due to other reasons.

I'm now officially out of the cartridge business. Backup will now be using a DE. I got a fixed angle (non-adjustable) Gillette chrome plated model yesterday which I haven't used yet along with the adjustable "Black Beauty". Both of these are nice looking DE razors.

One has a long handle and one has a short handle. I sanitized both upon arrival.

The only other items I have on order are one bar of Sandalwood shaving soap and another straight razor (Union Cutlery's Spike). I might get one of the Torrey models at some point and then I'm good except for learning more about how to use them, hone them and possibly rescale them.

I think I've done pretty well in the two or three weeks that I've been interested in wet shaving!

Now I'm ready to unload all my expert advice and opinions.

Will not quote as it will take up far to much band width,lets hear all the expert advise and opinions,we are here to learn.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Will not quote as it will take up far to much band width,lets hear all the expert advise and opinions,we are here to learn.

Haha...yes, my son...all in due time...

Originally Posted by gcbryan

Haha...yes, my son...all in due time...

My son? my youngest son is I would bet twice your age
Will await your info.

what stones dis you use to hone?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

My son? my youngest son is I would bet twice your age
Will await your info.

Not possible (regarding your son) unless he is over 100

Originally Posted by mainaman

what stones did you use to hone?

Nothing to fancy or expensive. I already had an Arkansas Tri-hone ($25) that I used for knives. I used the soft and hard Arkansas stones for the initial bevel set.

These aren't as big as Norton stones but then again you rarely have to set a bevel after the first time.

I bought two Japanese slip stones (and smaller stones) that were $15 and $20 for the 4k and 8k stones. I finished with a Chinese 12k that was cut down and sold for $15 from Whipped Dog.

Lastly, I already had a paddle stop for knives so I have one side plain (leather) and the other side with green chromium oxide paste (crayon).

Setting the bevel (as everyone says) is where the work is done. If you get that right the rest is a no-brainer.

Longest post ever! I'm gonna sit back and watch how this goes......
sounds like you did the right thing and compared your work to someone else's, 12 pack of van der hagen? Geez......are you a Dooms day prepper? j/k

Originally Posted by gcbryan

Not possible (regarding your son) unless he is over 100

he is old, but not that old.My bad. keep the info coming.

Haha...I'm an enthusiastic old guy.

Regarding the 12 pack of shave soap (and the 100 DE blades for that matter)...I got them more than 50% off by buying that way.

The razors and soap are small and don't take up much space and I'm definitely going to need them so why not pay half price!

I've only tried DE's once and that was years ago. I was surprised at how well it went this time. It almost shaves itself.

Often times the bevel just never got set correctly and people then spend a lot of time on the remaining steps and get frustrated when that doesn't work.

One thing I learned is that honing is actually easy. The only reason one might think it's hard is because so many people imply that it is so difficult.

The other aspect is that when you're new you tend to assume that you must not be honing correctly if you aren't getting a great shave.

The reality is that a close shave takes some skill and that takes some time to acquire. Of course it is entirely possible that one hasn't gotten their razor sharp but once the bevel is set if you go though the remaining hones you'll get a sharp blade.