Thread: 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.

Welcome to SRP. I don't know the maker of your razor. If forum member manah see this post he could probably tell you. You might send a PM to him and ask. Sounds like you are coming along well with your honing. Hard to say if you over honed. I kind of doubt it as those Soviet razors can be tough IME.

When I was starting out with the honing a honemeister, Randydance, told me to shave off of the 8k following the pyramid, to test the razor. If you're getting a good shave off the 8k you're doing something right. Then move on to the 12k. If you take your best razor and send it to a honemeister for pro honing you'll have something to shave with that is very good and something to compare your own honing to.

Shave technique can have a lot to do with irritation too. For instance, I have never been able to go against the grain on my mustache with any razor of any type. Keep on keepin' on and you'll continue to make progress.

it is great razor just hone it right you should have great shaver. it is in fact hard steel.
Bolga is place in Russia where it is made. i do read Russian but have problem reading not clear picture i guess.
gl

Loosely translated as I neither read, speak nor understand a word of Russian -- I believe that says "Redistributionist Special". Sorry, you can shave with it a few times, but you'll have to pass it along to other members to spread the wealth around. It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too.

Uh,Oh I'm being bad again.

JimmyHAD: I go ATG on my mustache with very very small and careful strokes but sometimes I ask myself: did I lost my mind? It's risky. Maybe if I had very very sharp razor then with the grain and across would be enough there. For now, I can't achieve close shave on my mustache without doing ATG pass.

stimpy52: Oh no. I'm just starting and now my small collection has to be depleted.. Too bad, it was a great shaver.


My mother told me "3KCTPA" means "Extra", the word before is "razor" and word after is "Volga". The rest is a mystery.

Originally Posted by str8isgr8

...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.?

str8isgr8,
Your problem is discussed here Britva.Ru • Просмотр темы - Проблема с "экстрой" Вача

str8isgr8,
Welcome to SRP.
The razor name is "Экстра"(Extra).
Your razor was made in the USSR on the "Trud" manufactory on the river Vacha. Most likely the razor was made after WWII.
Here some info in the WIKI.

manah, он ещё про Волго-Вятский совнархоз пишет, что тайна сия велика есть. А совнархозы — это семилетка (1958—1965).

он ещё

Who is it?

They are great razors, Ihave one and it's a keeper...they shave excellent.