I've just turned 30, and have very thick facial hair. You could say I've been clogging up cartridge razors for 10 of them. The last few years I only trimmed my beard, facial and neck hair with a Wahl trimmer. Cartridge and electric razors don't seem to work on my thick dark brown hair.
Since I'm always sharpening other stuff(drill bits/chisels/planes/pocket knives/hunting knives/antique blades/hair trimmer blades/al kinds of saws, and even last for years and years with a single utility knife(boxcutter)). I came into contact with several persons with vintage SR's, and got compliments when i was done restoring them. when i tried them out on my arms they seemed to take langer thicker hairs with great ease and speed, then i got thinking about my chin...
Cheap as I am I searched forums for usable straight razors on a budget. here in the netherlands the only serious razors are offered come in "kits" that i dont need, otherwise its 80 euro's for a straight from solingen, that 100 bucks.
Now i have a "Golden Monkey 777" which is a pretty broad chinese razor. As you worked as much with steel as I have it's all good, some is hard and takes long to sharpen, others are softer and take an edge quicker. Sharpening doesn't cost me anything, but ruining a real 60HRC+ edge would be a pain in the behind. On a random low-bid on an auction site i purchased a Tondeo TM Shavette, so i could experience what a sharp shave should feel like, and experiment on the blades to see the angle, finish, hardness etc.
I was prepared to have a hard time getting a non-disposable blade to get "shaving sharp", but the chinese golden monkey touched my face about two hours after getting it though the mail. Sharper than the disposable blades, and more conforming to my face. A few nick's is realy all damage done.
Why are all these forums full of people with problems or logic-defying theories?
I must admit I've polished, ground and sharpened more things I knew existed, and i have multiple bench grinders, dozens of stones a cabinet full of 3m whet-or-dry, strops and polishing pastes collected by now. but sharpening a chinese budget razor to shaving sharp didn't took much effort.
I do own Coticules Arkansas oil hones, thuringer stones and BBW stones, but thats more "Garage sale finds". When I tried honing the blade on a nice coticule, and stropping it with some leather belt I noticed a improvement in the shave I can't scientificly explain. Leather is proven to do nothing to a cutting edge without compound, and the grit of these natural stones is "undefinable" they say.
Thats why i picked an active forum to read up about it, and discuss the topic. Also i want to learn the proper techniques of shaving, preparing and after shave care for my skin.
I picked this forum, so i look forward to discussing shaving with you all.
greetings from the Netherlans to you all.