Thread: I want to like my straight razor

BUY ONE FROM TONY MILLER, EXCELLENT SERVICE PRE AND POST SALE!

When I was first starting out I was also in your position, and I got one of Tony Miller's wide 2-sided paddles, and never regretted it. After a year and a half I no longer need the paddles to get a sufficiently sharp shaving edge, but Tony's paddle really made the difference those first 6 months or so. I still use my paddles, but now they're really for smoothness instead of sharpness.

Another vote for Tony Miller's stuff... It's available at www.thewellshavedgentleman.com. Get a 3" wide, two-sided paddle strop in honey brown leather, and have him pre-paste it with 1 micron diamond and .5 micron chromium oxide. Fantastic craftsmanship, first rate service.

Josh

Ok, I'm a believer.

I just received my strop from Tony Miller today pasted with 1.0 micron diamond on one side and 0.5 micron chromium oxide on the other. I read the instructions and followed them as best as I could, and then shaved to test the results.

I was pleased.

This was my first straight razor shave that didn't hurt! I can't explain how happy this made me. I will admit that the shave still wasn't quite as close all over as the shave I get with my Double Edge, but it was almost as close. I'm convinced this is fixable. Maybe I just need to give it a few more stropping sessions on the .05 micron, or maybe I just need to practice my technique more. I don't know, but I know that the shave didn't hurt and I can live with that.

Thanks to everyone for the excellent adivse!!!

Congrats V-cide!

That's great news, I think every one of us knows exactly how you felt when you got your first decent shave - it's truly a pivotal moment!

It sounds like your razor is very close to being sharp enough, just keep going as you are but try not to overdo it - you don't want to overhone and make things worse. Just try a few strokes on the 8K(like 5), 10 on the paddle strop, strop up on the leather and shave, then do the same the next day if it still isn't right.

It does take quite a while until you get comfortable with both shaving and honing, for me I was getting comfortable close shaves (better than DE) consistantly after about 6 or 7 weeks of shaving daily. It just takes time and practice for you to build up your muscle memory, but then it becomes second nature. Honing is the same, but the problem is if you practice too much you'll overhone your razor(s). It's better to get some el-cheapo razors from eBay to practice your honing technique on, than use your main shaver(s) and risk screwing them up or wearing them out!

Originally Posted by vectorcide

...I will admit that the shave still wasn't quite as close all over as the shave I get with my Double Edge, but it was almost as close. I'm convinced this is fixable. Maybe I just need to give it a few more stropping sessions on the .05 micron...

Yep, I was right!!! Tongiht I did another 10 passes (forward and back) on the 1.0 micron and 20 passes on the 0.5 micron, and for the first time ever, my straight razor shave rivalled my Double Edge shave! It was super smooth and very comfortable.

Just out of curiosity, when I was done shaving, I plucked a wisker out of my side burns and passed it over the blade. The edge grabbed it and it popped it right two! It passed the Hanging Hair Test after I shaved with it!

I'll be honest. I was hopeful, but I NEVER expected such a dramatic improvement from using a pasted strop. Its like this thing is a whole new razor! What happened to the jagged strip of sheet metal I was using just last week? Wow. Just wow.

You can say that again! LOL.... congrats!

Congratulations! It's a great experience when you get your first great shave with your own edge.

Over time your honing skills will improve and you won't need so much work with the paddles to get the razor sharp, maybe 5 laps on the 0.5 micron after you leave the norton will be all it takes. But the paddle really helps a lot in those early days when you're still learning the tricks of honing on a whetstone.

Ok... maybe I'm getting carried away, but my recent sucess has got me thinking...



If I got such an improvement from using 1.0 micron diamond paste followed by 0.5 micron chromium oxide paste, then should I consider ordering a strop pasted with 0.25 micron diamond paste? Is there a 0.25 micron chromium oxide?

Any thoughts? experiences? ideas?