Hallo to one and all

[Neph]

Checking in to say Hi and happy to be here.

I've already read thru most of the posts in each section and read up on all the articles and find myself returning way to often for a refresher

Quick background: Around 2008 I got tired of ingrown hairs and razor burn and started reading up looking for anything that could help solve my dilemma.

The war begins-
The 1st round was trying different types of "snot-in-a-can" and multi-blade razors all of which cost a lot and failed all so miserably. I did have some success with the Art of shaving products but I was not satisfied.

The turning point-
I decided to change it up and bought a VulFix silver-tipped badger brush and Taylor & old bond street Sandalwood and immediately found the relief I was so sorely looking for. Gone was the razor burn and the ingrown hair problem was now and on and off issue. Oh and how the missus loved the smell as well. It was like I found breath where I never knew I was wheezing.

Somewhere in January *I think* and giddy on happiness on my newly found freedom I decided to dive deeper and bough myself and DE Hefty and a sample pack of blades. I recall thinking that this should be easy and I've watched enough youtube video's and understood what I was getting myself into... oh how wrong was I.

There was blood... and cursing, a lot of cursing thinking back on it now. Most days I looked like someone whom had been in a fight with a cheese grater and most assuredly lost! The missus was unhappy, I was unhappy and I'm pretty sure the next doors neighbors, 2nd removed cousins best friends pet goat was unhappy.

Patience and practice is key-
But as winter comes it must go as well and after a few weeks I finally got the technique down and thus the war ended.

Gone were the ingrown hairs and have never been seen since. Today I can shave with the DE like a samurai kicks holes in the air. Oh what a pleasure shaving has become and I've converted my brother and best friend to DE shaving as well.

Present day-
So along comes Christmas 2016... and the missus hands be this brown box sealed with a wax seal none the less...very old school. I was perplexed but it's Christmas and you don't look a gift in the mouth. I open the box carefully and perplexed find a belt... no not a belt. Can't be a belt unless. No... she got me one of those leather neck things you use in the bedroom!? Can't be! Nope she doesn't have that look on her face...only a very amused expression. I smile and continue to dig around and the little box and finds the small hard little case along with a small tube of toothpaste. About now she burst out laughing and looks very pleased with herself obviously enjoying the lost expression I must have on my face.
I open the little black case and come face to face with sure death. Quickly I try to remember whom gets what in the event of my death and have any changes been made recently to my will. Jokes aside

So I'm now the proud owner of a "Boker 4/8 Extra Hallowed Ground" beauty and have been using it ever since!

There been a few incidents of nicks here and there but the years with the DE has prepared me well and for the last 2 weeks I'm finally getting shaves as smooth as with the Safety razor. The 30min shaving time as far as I'm concerned is only a bonus!

Thanks to Ken in the Soap\Cream section letting us know about the sale of Tabac. I got myself a bowl with a refill cake for only $15.86 and since using it have had 2 shaves so smooth my face shines!

Which finally brings me to my first question

The boker was send away to be sharpened by the store and I have read up about all the ways to determine if its sharp or not est. Now I have no reference to compare and its obviously working for me but when I compare the sharpness of the Boker freshly stropped to lets says a fresh blade in the DE, the DE is much, much sharper. Rudimentary speaking, could one compare the one to the other to determine the Bokers sharpness?

I have no problem sending it way to any of the expert sharpers here advertising there services and likely will within the next month since from what I understand it needs honing every 3 months but was wondering if the above could be used as a type of measurement?

Thank you.

[rhensley]

First welcome aboard. Now where did the razor come from. If it came from SRD or some others then it came shave ready. From SRD i think they still offer the first free honing. Now you mentioned watching the videos on DE shaving how about the ones on straight razor shaving. There are many on you tube. Remember take your time and enjoy. Try the video by Lynn Abrams on straight razors and starting with them. Again welcome.

[Benz]

Welcome to SRP. You must have a saint for a wife to receive a gift like that. All I ever get is a lump of coal for a gift. For the time being I would suggest that you be content with stropping and shaving. Get another razor so when one is getting honed you can use the other. As all of the pieces of the puzzle come together then get a set of hones, watch honing videos, and read about honing. Mean while take a look at the Shave Of The Day forum and see what the guys are shaving with.

[celestino]

Welcome to the forum.

[kalerolf]

Welcome aboard and enyoy your reading time on SRP

[eddy79]

Hi and welcome aboard. A second razor for while one is getting honed or incase of an accident is a good option. You can get them shave ready for the classifieds here for good prices and it would also give you a comparison blade to check yours.

[Bonbon]

Great story and welcome aboard!

Straight razor less sharp then DE blades, but if SR honed and used right its sharpness just sufficient for good shave.

As I see after SR it's a lot of easier to move to DE razor, it took me only 3 shaves to get accustom to razor... but how much blood I lost during SR shaving, lol

[MattCB]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you are well on your way.

[engine46]

Hi Neph & welcome aboard. I have not been welcoming new members for a couple weeks because I have had internet issues, computer issues among other things. I see everyone who posted gave you some good sound advice. Just be patient & take your time. Watch the Youtube vids & read as much as you can because there is a lot of information here, such a wealth it is! Also if you come across a dead end, just ask questions & you will find answers. Great to have you here.
Good luck my friend.

[tintin]

Welcome! tell your wife we are all jealous of you! not sure if one can compare a DE blade with a straight. i found that when i switched to a straight compared with a Feather blade it didn't seem as sharp especially on the chin. With a DE it was easy to mow them down in one pass. i have tough whiskers too. a straight takes more than one pass. as time has passed and my skill has increased there is no tugging (unless the blade is dulling) or discomfort. feels just as sharp as a Feather blade. as your technique improves i think it will feel just as sharp as a DE. a nice barbers hone is a good place to start to maintain your blade when it starts to tug a little. JMHO