Thread: Looking for...

So I work in the wild jungles of PNG for a month on then a month off. A few tours ago I brought in a Böker and a strop with a pasted firehose back. I figured that would keep things going for a good long while.
I honed the razor and shaved with it before I left, everything good to go. First shave was grabby. [emoji20] A buddy had a swatty and I gave it a few passes. It improved but still grabby. His Swatty seems more coarse than mine. I suspect it could use a good cleaning. Why a bloke with a full beard carries these things around is a mystery.
So... I need a jungle touch up stone. Barber's hone size... honestly. I'd love a Welsh slate...maybe a black Arkansas. It needs to be durable or boxed. It needs to be humidity tolerant. 75% humidity is a dry day. I've been looking on the bay... annoying. Is everyone into straights these days or is a Swatty really worth $75?? I'll take a Norton or Nani at that price.
If anyone can suggest a source for a nice Pike or Swatty, please PM. I just remembered an Arkansas site, any on slates? PM me please.
Ty

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Yes, these are their prices. Whether they are worth it... a couple of years back their price was 5x.
With a finisher and good stropping afterwards, if the razor pulls hair I suspect it's not the stone but the bevel. If it is indeed the bevel, then your razor needs more than a touch-up. If not, the cheapest choice would be to buy some paste or powder like Chromium oxide and Cerium oxide, place some on the back side of the strop, give it a 5x or 10x just to refine the edge a tiny bit, then strop on the linen or whatever the strop has, after that, clean leather and try it again. That's the cheapest option available, for less than 10$, just make sure that they are 1 micron or finer, and apply sparingly.
One other problem could be that your beard isn't sufficiently prepared for shave, but I would like to think that's not the case, I assume you are experienced shaver with a straight razor.

My strop is pasted with dovo red and black crayons. It's improving. I might be able to bring some film in... hmmm. I wonder if we have the granite block here.

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Sounds like the hone job is lacking, Need to get the bevel right as said, cause if it's right it,ll shave at the 1k level. Tc

With 75% being a dry day you may have more to worry about than just honing.

Yes, be sure the bevel is set. But I'd like to recommend the Belgium coticule as your travel stone. Be sure to take along a small bottle of baby oil too.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Yes, be sure the bevel is set. But I'd like to recommend the Belgium coticule as your travel stone. Be sure to take along a small bottle of baby oil too.

Ya what he said, oil might be needed. Tc

I'd recommend something water displacing rather than a simple oil.
I use Inox MX-3.

Along with that small bottle of baby oil, in my travel bag I carry a zip lock Baggie with a folded paper towel saturated with baby oil. When I'm done shaving, stropping, I always coat my blade in oil using the paper towel. Tonight I'm in Toronto. Next week I might be in Atlanta. I want my razors protected.

I have srp razor oil. The razor shaves nice and close it just feels like I have to be extra careful not to cut something off. I've never honed off 1k. I've touched up on my swatty and my buddies swatty and honed with film. If wasn't for HAD, I'd pack my Swatty back and forth. Maybe I will and my bit of tile and film now that I have a Norton set. But... maybe I can find a nice bit of slate too. I have a coti bout but not proficient with it yet. I know, find one thing get good at it before moving around. It is a justification thing. I have an itch for a nice barber's hone or new nat to play with.
Logic says film. But... hehe.
Perhaps I should retitle to where can I find a good deal to shop for...
I guess it's just HAD...
Thanks for the input gents.

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