Thread: Smiler

When I first started straight shaving, Mike (Outback) generously sent me four razors.

One of those razors was a smiler called an Artisan, that razor is my absolute favourite i reckon. It was so smooth to shave with, like shaving with a lead pipe as mike would say.

Anyway, I just shaved with it again, it was really uncomfortable and pully, I nicked myself for the fist time ever with that particular razor so it's time.

I am nervous because I've never honed a smiler before and it was such a nice comfortable shaver that i don't want to turn it into just any other super sharp razor. I want that lead pipe feel.

I don't know whether the feel is because it's smiling or how it was honed, I have 3 other Mike razors and although their ridiculously sharp, they aren't smooth like my Artisan.

Normally I start right back from bevel set with my razors because i want to become very very good at setting a bevel and if I don't practice it i never will. However, I really don't want to lose that lead pipe so I think a quick refresh for this one.

What do you reckon? Maybe a refresh with a Coticule will help me keep that lead pipe feel instead of a 12K Nanny?

What stroke do you think, maybe a windscreen wiper sort of stroke, or just follow the smile?



If you read this Mike, I would love your opinion, bearing in mind that i don't have an Escher which what i think I remember you telling me you used originally.

Shouldn't need much, a few laps on a pastel strop if you got one might get it back.

Originally Posted by Grazor

Shouldn't need much, a few laps on a pastel strop if you got one might get it back.

I tried that already but it wasn't enough.

Use a rolling X stroke, gently ink the bevel so you know that your stroke is hitting all along the edge.
I wouldn't get too hung up about the coticle as its not the same as an escher, however if you can get a great shave from your coticle then there's no reason you can't get the same on this razor.
Generally as soon as I feel the slightest tug I give a razor a good strop with linen to see if it behaves if not then a few laps on CroOx and FeOx or my Gok 20k. If it needs any more I drop down to the Naniwa 10k.

As a general rule I follow the same line of thinking as already posted with the exception that I always inspect it first with a loupe to ensure nothing has been nicked.

If Crox ain’t bringing it back. What have you done?a razor getting dull after 40-50 shaves usually doesn’t need more than pasted strop or 3-5 laps on a finisher,

I used a Coti to refresh that smiler, it's back. I just shaved with it and it's lovely again.



Thanks everyone for the advice.

Nice one, Steve

Originally Posted by STF

I used a Coti to refresh that smiler, it's back. I just shaved with it and it's lovely again.



Thanks everyone for the advice.

That’s why I like coticules. Easy to use and verstile.

Congratulations on making that smiler smile again.

Sorry I missed this one, Steve.

Good to hear ya brought it back around.

Glad I could offer you that benchmark, razor.
The Artist Razors are a good brand, and take a great edge.