Introduction

[kbailey]

So I bought my first razor from a site named vintagestraightrazor.com. I spent the extra money to get a Damascus steel blade because I like the way it looks. It came as part of a package deal that included soap, a brush, a strop, and the razor. It was advertised as shave ready, so I didn't expect to need to do any honing right away.

I've watched countless you tube videos and read all the FAQs and How-Tos I could find. In other words I feel like I've done my research but I am inexperienced.

When I got the package I stropped it and tried to shave with the blade and found it not to be shave ready. It cut my beard, but it was very uncomfortable, pulling quite a lot. So I figured it had not been honed at as high a grit as I would like.

I purchased a norton super stone (12000 grit) and tried honing the blade. I quickly discovered that the bevel was not in line with the spine of the blade. I had to step down to a 325 grit diamond hone and go at it for hours to set the bevel properly. I also purchased a 4000/8000 norton stone. I used those and the super stone and I have the bevel on that blade at a mirror polish.
Unfortunately even with all that very careful honing the blade is still not sharp. At this point I can't even shave the hair on my arm, and if I run my fingernail lightly along the edge of the blade I can feel fine chips. I know I'm inexperienced but right now I think I got taken by this vendor. I think the blade is made from inferior steel and I'll never get it sharp, no matter how careful I am.

Has anyone purchased from them before? Are they known to run scams or is it just me?