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

Originally Posted by eminart

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.

Keep in mind, you asked,. My mind has no need to be made. This is yours' we speak of. Only YOU know of your technique, certainly no one else. Don't ask if you have it handled. Just do it! You obviously know what is best! Best of luck!

Congrats on taking the plunge. I hope you will enjoy everything about this craft. I just trim in and out of the beard now and I really enjoy this stuff. You sound like me in several ways as far as wanting to do everything on your own. It is very satisfying when done right. One small tip I will give you is to take it very slowly. Enjoy the ride and DO NOT try to catch your razor if you drop it and let wife or whatever know when you are shaving, because if you jump or jerk, well... you can guess what happens. Good luck and be careful and I hope you enjoy it.

Sorry for the confusion on shave ready/not ready, there have been countless posts from new users who get shave ready razors and complain their first shave was terrible only to come back several shaves later with much better shaves with the same razor. Angle, prep, pressure and stropping are all learned tasks and it takes a bit to bring it all together. If it will cut hair above the skin it is probably in the ballpark. You will get there, usually somewhere around 15-20 shaves it will start to really all come together

Originally Posted by eminart

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.

I don't think I was in the blunt razor camp actually. And whilst a lot of the supposedly shave ready ebay razors are supposedly not I am sure that all aren't.
So how is your technique?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Keep in mind, you asked,. My mind has no need to be made. This is yours' we speak of. Only YOU know of your technique, certainly no one else. Don't ask if you have it handled. Just do it! You obviously know what is best! Best of luck!

First of all, I'd like to say, that I don't think my light-hearted tone and jokes are coming across well in writing. I do appreciate all the advice here. But, actually, no, I DIDN'T ask. I think the only question I've asked in this thread is if anyone knows anything about the razor I bought. I realize that the answers to all my questions are probably already here on the forum. So, when I have a specific question, I'll search for the answer. And I know I have a lot to learn. But, you guys are assuming I'm asking questions, which is fine. Just don't pretend it's me that isn't listening.

Again, I don't want to come across as a know-it-all newb destined to fail. I think everyone here has been generous and courteous in their advice. I'm happy to get it. So, thanks! But, I have to research before I know what my questions are.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

So how is your technique?

Fantastic! LOL.

I'm sure it's not perfect, but I think I'm in the ball park.

Hold the razor at about 30 degrees, one inch strokes with the grain. Razor grabs and pulls and cuts a hair or two on each stroke - about like my pocket knife would.

Originally Posted by eminart

First of all, I'd like to say, that I don't think my light-hearted tone and jokes are coming across well in writing. I do appreciate all the advice here. But, actually, no, I DIDN'T ask. I think the only question I've asked in this thread is if anyone knows anything about the razor I bought. I realize that the answers to all my questions are probably already here on the forum. So, when I have a specific question, I'll search for the answer. And I know I have a lot to learn. But, you guys are assuming I'm asking questions, which is fine. Just don't pretend it's me that isn't listening.

Again, I don't want to come across as a know-it-all newb destined to fail. I think everyone here has been generous and courteous in their advice. I'm happy to get it. So, thanks! But, I have to research before I know what my questions are.

True! Stick a smiley in there, then! I suppose the general feeling around is sellers who sell on ebay advertising a good shaving edge are all falsely advertising. All it takes is for someone to buy one and have a bad experience and they come on the forum complaining about the edge and not a peep about the prep, lather, and technique (not that you are!!). In fact, many guys who sell there also have web sites and are quite good with lots of good feedback. I hope you bought from someone who knows how to hone. We are just trying to help! A good idea is to go to the forum home page and click 'beginner's tips'. Reading through them gives lots of info!
Good to have a new member who knows how to search first and then ask.
Sorta rare! If I can help getting it properly honed, PM me!

Originally Posted by eminart

Fantastic! LOL.

I'm sure it's not perfect, but I think I'm in the ball park.

Hold the razor at about 30 degrees, one inch strokes with the grain. Razor grabs and pulls and cuts a hair or two on each stroke - about like my pocket knife would.

Ok, well if you were using a cartridge razor before (note the IF, i am not sure of what you previously used) , the technique is quite different, you will need to stretch the section of skin you are shaving, for a start, this will most likely entail weird contortions along with a bit of pulling with your spare hand, ideally you want to stretch in the oposite direction to the grain, this will get the hair standing up.
I would experement with different angles too, start flatter than you are and work your way up.
You will most likely need a wetter lather than you think too, again not sure what you have been using previously.
Lastly it usually takes around 3 months of regular shaves to get proficient, so be patient.

In the 1980s I used to hang out in barber shops collecting old straight razors and picking old time barbers brains about razors, hones and what not. Most of the old guys, cutting hair 30-50 years, liked the dubl duck and the FWE best, though they said any Solingen or Sheffield razor was "good too." FWE is a very well respected marque and that is a good razor by any standard.

Indeed, Engels razors are top-notch. Finely ground and great shavers.