Hi... from Sydney, Australia

Hi everyone.

So I'm taking the leap with a generic stainless smiling blade (by design, the handle is curved too) that my lovely wife found online. I have a feeling I may have stuffed the blade already, about which I'm not too worried, live and learn. I've had a couple of goes, and there is literally zero hair debris coming off with the cream, so I stropped etc. I've read enough already to know I made the best mistakes I could trying to sort that.

What I did notice when I first opened it was that there was a distinctly different feel from one side of the edge to the other, as though the edge was curled toward one side. Is this supposed to be the case or the sign of poor machine work?

Also, all this talk of the closest shave ever... well, I'm looking forward to it, but is it really the case? I have always used the multiblade razors. I go with the hair growth to begin with, then against to finish off. I'll keep reading, but interested in any techniques that will match that kind of shave. Also, some of my neck growth goes across the throat, how can I get into there properly?

Looking forward to getting this right.

Welcome Phil to SRP. As far as your edge and razor. I'm not the one to help in this but I know we got some members in your part of the world. The best way to learn about what you have is to get with a local and have him check out your edge. If its in need of work, he might be able to do it for you or point you in the right direction. Read the library as it has lots of good info and ask all the questions you want as there are a lot of great folks here that are willing to help.

Welcome to the forum. :)

Welcome Phil. How about some photos of the razor and the edge. That would be a big help. Could be a number of things. Razor and razor quality. Was it professionally honed shave ready. Poo stropping technique.
With the photos the more knowledgeable will be able to help.

Welcome to SRP!!!

A lot of great folks and info here, check out the library.
We have members in your area, maybe they can help you out, as said
Enjoy and have fun Phil!!!!!

Hello Phil and welcome to SRP.
Great to see another member from "down under."
Enjoy the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Welcome to SRP. Photos of the razor would help. It is quite possibly what is referred to as a razor shaped object, that will never take an edge that you can shave with.
The classifieds here offer truly shave ready razors at good prices. There are also many members here from Oz.

Sent from a moto x far far away

Welcome, glad to have you aboard

Hi and welcome. Pretty sure Oz is in Sydney. He can hone for you and steer you in the right direction. You can indeed get amazing shaves just expect it to take a few months.

As for the neck that will be experimentation to see what works for you. Will all come with time and practice.

Send oz a message http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/onimaru55.html

Hi and welcome to SRP. As mentioned above, study and read like a sponge, ask questions, try to meet with someone, you'll get 'er figured out in time. Enjoy the learning process and small successes along the way!

Welcome to SRP! Definitely post some pics filling the frame with your razors on each side so we can give you better information. There are most definitely some Razor Shaped Objects that are junk... One $9 Razor from Amazon comes to mind as it looked great and shaved great after Honing... For about one cheek. Each stroke seemed to make the razor duller until it was unusable within a handful of strokes. :-(

It can certainly be the Best Shave Ever... But, only after about 100 Shaves or 90 days so proper learning can roll into place. :-D

Best of luck and have fun on your journey!

Shawn
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Welcome to the forum! Here's hoping you didn't fall victim to a purveryor of razor-shaped objects. Good luck and have fun. :)