Russian straight razor Extra and my honing
Hi. First of all, thank you so much for this place. I started straight razor shaving few weeks ago. I read very much here and it helps a lot. I learn shaving, stropping and honing. I know everyone recommends learn how to shave and to strop first but I'm kind of hot-headed. :)
I went through a lot frustration but from time to time I feel there is some progress in my learning curve. I don't have any shave ready straight razor honed by honemeister. At the beginning of my journey I started with Dovo Best Quality (not shave ready, just factory edge). It shaves but can't shave my mustache close enough.
Then came Wapienica. That was a big pain and not the best straight for my first honing project. With normal x stroke middle section of the edge didn't get in contact with my hone (I used marker test) and then I figured out 45 degree x stroke worked. At the time I had only 1k/3k grit naniwa combination stone and chinese 12k.
Then I bought Norton 4k/8k and another straight - russian straight "Extra". Man! I read here that russian straights are great shavers but a little bit hard to hone. Yes, that's true. I don't know if I did something wrong but after setting a bevel on it (shaved arm hair at the skin level not so bad) I did pyramids on Norton (15/15 10/10 5/5 3/3 1/3 1/5) for about two or three long evenings until I managed to have good edge. Then I finished on chinese 12k and stropped before shaving. The edge could probably still be better but at the time it's my best shaver. It doesn't pull too much and I can shave my mustache against the grain close enough (still could be better and closer). The problem is I got a lot of skin irritation and burning with this russian straight. Did I overhone? What more can you say about this straight, what is the maker, year, etc.? Pictures enclosed.http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7425/dsc0040v2.jpghttp://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5536/dsc0043v2.jpghttp://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7.../dsc0041v2.jpghttp://img34.imageshack.us/img34/663/dsc0045v2.jpg