Thread: New Guy, New Razor, Same Old Story!

Hey, Em.
Welcome.

The finest extra hollow shave I've ever had was from an Engels 'Leader'. It was fantastic. So even if you have to buy some experienced help - it will likely be well rewarded.

When I started here, I was skeptical about how consistent the recommendations were for getting pro help on edges. That led me to do as you suggest - roll my own. This is how I got the name Pinklather - no explanation needed. Shaves could be done, but a bloodless shave was the exception. It was not a relaxing experience, but a challenge. When I tried my first smooth edge, it was a game changer.

Disrespecting your prowess w/ a knife edge isn't involved. I guarantee you have forgotten more about a knife edge than I'll ever know. But a knife edge only has to be sharp. A razor that is *only* sharp is a recipe for carnage - or pinklather.

To investigate and believe your own eyes, take another razor (not that wonderful Engels) and a kitchen scale that you can zero w/ the weight of a stone on it. Lay the blade on the stone while holding the blade at the shank, just ahead of the scales or pivot. It'll prob. read 5/8-3/4 oz. If you can consistently stroke while keeping the entire edge in contact w/ the stone with your highest spike of pressure staying under 1.5oz (3/4 oz blade weight + 3/4 oz honing pressure), you stand a chance. You'll find it easier said than done. You'll get there - and surely alot faster than I did. But it won't be today.

4 yrs & 470 blades later, I'm not skeptical about what I was first told. You'll find the guys WANT to help you fall in love w/ your shaves. If I can be of help in that effort, pls. let me know.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hey, Em.
Welcome.

The finest extra hollow shave I've ever had was from an Engels 'Leader'. It was fantastic. So even if you have to buy some experienced help - it will likely be well rewarded.

When I started here, I was skeptical about how consistent the recommendations were for getting pro help on edges. That led me to do as you suggest - roll my own. This is how I got the name Pinklather - no explanation needed. Shaves could be done, but a bloodless shave was the exception. It was not a relaxing experience, but a challenge. When I tried my first smooth edge, it was a game changer.

Disrespecting your prowess w/ a knife edge isn't involved. I guarantee you have forgotten more about a knife edge than I'll ever know. But a knife edge only has to be sharp. A razor that is *only* sharp is a recipe for carnage - or pinklather.

To investigate and believe your own eyes, take another razor (not that wonderful Engels) and a kitchen scale that you can zero w/ the weight of a stone on it. Lay the blade on the stone while holding the blade at the shank, just ahead of the scales or pivot. It'll prob. read 5/8-3/4 oz. If you can consistently stroke while keeping the entire edge in contact w/ the stone with your highest spike of pressure staying under 1.5oz (3/4 oz blade weight + 3/4 oz honing pressure), you stand a chance. You'll find it easier said than done. You'll get there - and surely alot faster than I did. But it won't be today.

4 yrs & 470 blades later, I'm not skeptical about what I was first told. You'll find the guys WANT to help you fall in love w/ your shaves. If I can be of help in that effort, pls. let me know.

Hahaha.

I don't mean to seem as if I'm dismissing any of the advice. I'm not. I believe all of you. I'm also very stubborn and overconfident in my abilities, usually. Plus, I like the process of learning new things more than having learned new things or HAVING new things. But, upon looking at the prices of 4k/8k/12k stones, I very likely will subcontract out at least my first honing, assuming (likely) that I need one.

We'll see. Right now, I'm just excited to be getting new stuff. I'm not even that concerned about shaving with it yet. Hell, I rarely shave anyway.

There's alot of fun to be had, Eminart. 'Good to have you.

Hi and welcome. Shaved on the weekend with a Engel for the first time. Was a small wedge and wad a great shaver. Hope yours works out well

Thanks for the replies, everyone. My razor and supplies arrived today.

The razor will indeed shave, and the edge looks good to me - no visible nicks or anything. But, it's not "shave ready" as everyone suspected would be the case. I had to try it out, of course. I learned three things:

1. Shave ready is undoubtably more comfortable than not shave ready.
2. Wet badger hair smells like wet badgers.
3. The shave soap I got free from my wife's friend who makes soaps isn't going to cut it.

I really had planned to do more studying before attempting to shave but the razor arrived a day earlier than expected along with my brush and soap bowl. So I had to give it a try. I keep a full beard, so I was mostly shaving neck area, which I know isn't a beginner's area. My soap dries too fast. And my edge needs some work. But I managed to scrape off quite a bit of hair without cutting myself. So, I consider day one a success even if I did finish up with a Mach 3.

A shot of my new gear.

The brush odor will go away. Faster is to shampoo it. The soap might need more working with more water added a little at a time. Sounds like it should be whipped up in a bowl, or big coffee mug or soup bowl. (I hunt Goodwill for fun bowls/mugs to lather in - my addiction).

Type Local Help in upper right search box,Click on first post shown. List of Mentors in the States and countries around the world. Any Mentor near you would be happy to help you get a shaveable edge on the razor.

Ask questions and read the FAQ section in the Library for answers you didn't know you needed.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hey, Em.
Welcome.

The finest extra hollow shave I've ever had was from an Engels 'Leader'. It was fantastic. So even if you have to buy some experienced help - it will likely be well rewarded.

When I started here, I was skeptical about how consistent the recommendations were for getting pro help on edges. That led me to do as you suggest - roll my own. This is how I got the name Pinklather - no explanation needed. Shaves could be done, but a bloodless shave was the exception. It was not a relaxing experience, but a challenge. When I tried my first smooth edge, it was a game changer.

Disrespecting your prowess w/ a knife edge isn't involved. I guarantee you have forgotten more about a knife edge than I'll ever know. But a knife edge only has to be sharp. A razor that is *only* sharp is a recipe for carnage - or pinklather.

To investigate and believe your own eyes, take another razor (not that wonderful Engels) and a kitchen scale that you can zero w/ the weight of a stone on it. Lay the blade on the stone while holding the blade at the shank, just ahead of the scales or pivot. It'll prob. read 5/8-3/4 oz. If you can consistently stroke while keeping the entire edge in contact w/ the stone with your highest spike of pressure staying under 1.5oz (3/4 oz blade weight + 3/4 oz honing pressure), you stand a chance. You'll find it easier said than done. You'll get there - and surely alot faster than I did. But it won't be today.

4 yrs & 470 blades later, I'm not skeptical about what I was first told. You'll find the guys WANT to help you fall in love w/ your shaves. If I can be of help in that effort, pls. let me know.

That's a good idea, and one I have never heard before. Good thinking pink.

It COULD also be a bit of technique, not saying definitively as the edge quality could be questionable too.

Ed speaks the truth. Proper prep, lather, stropping, blade angle and technique should be mastered before any razor is pronounced not shave ready. Be sure you have the I's dotted and the T's crossed before you pronounce judgement. We have seen many here complain of a bad experience with professional edges. Some from those we know. Gotta do the homework! Many sellers on Ebay provide excellent shavers. Honing the razor is one thing. Using, quite another.

You guys are gonna have to make up your minds. First the razor will almost definitely need a professional hone job, then when I agree, you decide it's probably just my bad technique.

But, no, the razor needs some stropping at the very least. I've been shaving long enough and dealing with blades long enough to know when one isn't sharp enough for the job. I'm going to do some reading before I decide my plan of action.