Thread: Greetings From Canada

Hi tcrideshd,

Yes, I'm pretty committed so I won't quit in the short term. I did notice a lot of pulling which I know many people have indicated is not indicitive of a sharp razor (one of the reasons I bought one there) so I'm experimenting. Since I don't currently have a razor that I can confirm is "shaving sharp" and he has had good reviews here, I was hoping to, a least, learn what that meant so I knew what to strive for with my own sharpening. You arte the first to suggest that they do not sharpen a razor to "shaving sharp," so if this is the case, I'm still without a razor that can be an example.

Thanks, Brian!

As I mentioned, everyone has been fantastic so far!

Originally Posted by tms

Hi tcrideshd,

Yes, I'm pretty committed so I won't quit in the short term. I did notice a lot of pulling which I know many people have indicated is not indicitive of a sharp razor (one of the reasons I bought one there) so I'm experimenting. Since I don't currently have a razor that I can confirm is "shaving sharp" and he has had good reviews here, I was hoping to, a least, learn what that meant so I knew what to strive for with my own sharpening. You arte the first to suggest that they do not sharpen a razor to "shaving sharp," so if this is the case, I'm still without a razor that can be an example.

Welcome from SE Washington State USA:

As you have read having a truly 'Shave Ready' razor is at the top of the list of where to begin.

Beard prep/especially when you start out is also very important.

Angle of attack is vital--Too Low of an angle and you are skimming over the whiskers and not cutting at the skin. Too High and you are scraping the whiskers off.

I'll make you a deal--

I'll pay for the Pro Honer of my choice to hone your newly purchased razor and all it will cost you is shipping to and from him.

Click on my profile and then you'll see how to send me a PM.

Originally Posted by tms

Okay, well since patience is not one of my virtues, I opted to get a Davo razor set from Classic Edge and I have just finished my first shave. While it wasn't the best shave I've ever given myself, it isn't the worst either. I'm pretty sure I pushed too hard and I'm going to have to work on shaving my head but it was a serviceable enough job and so I think I'll get the hang of it sooner than later! I'm going to have to get a balm of some sort though!

I just wanted to thank everyone again for the advice and encouragement. I'm looking forward to hanging out here and helping in any little way I can!

Thank you, everyone! It's been a fantastic experience so far!

If I remember correctly, Phil at Classic Edge is a very experienced honer and pretty much guarantees his honed edges and offers a free re-hone for new razors he sells.

We have had forum reports of newer Dovos coming from the factory with pretty terrible edges and other issues. I suggest you contact Phil and have him check the edge on your razor.

yes Phil has a great rep, not knocking it at all, but did he hone a new razor in the box? did he try to turn out as many razors in a day as our previous honemeister? and on top of that, the new guy really doesnt know. thats the kicker. when i started i had a couple of razors i was sure werent right. revisited same razor 8 months later and they shaved fine, by then i knew how to shave, a guy just starting doesnt have a clue how to shave yet. but a new dovo that came from the factory is poor at best. and the variable must be dealt with so he has a fair chance to learn, and getting that to compare his edges is the cart before the horse. STROP, SHAVE these 2 items are the first to learn, if all you want to do is hone, then stick with knives, a razor dont need but one honing barring accidents. if Phil honed it then its probably right, then its down to the guy in the mirror.

Originally Posted by tms

Hi tcrideshd,

Yes, I'm pretty committed so I won't quit in the short term. I did notice a lot of pulling which I know many people have indicated is not indicitive of a sharp razor (one of the reasons I bought one there) so I'm experimenting. Since I don't currently have a razor that I can confirm is "shaving sharp" and he has had good reviews here, I was hoping to, a least, learn what that meant so I knew what to strive for with my own sharpening. You arte the first to suggest that they do not sharpen a razor to "shaving sharp," so if this is the case, I'm still without a razor that can be an example.

All razors bought from Classic Edge come professionally honed and a follow up honing is at no charge.

https://classicedge.ca/index.php?rou...ory&path=71_60

When I started to learn to shave with a straight razor I had Phil hone a couple for me and even though I could not shave well at the time I did recognize that they were indeed shave ready. That is especially so when compared to my early attempts at honing my own. Hind sight is a wonderful thing.

There are many reasons a shave ready razor may not shave well in the hands of a beginner, been there myself, and range from wrong angle, poor lather and poor stropping among others. When you get a shave ready razor the advice for a beginner is not to strop it before first use because poor stropping can degrade a shave ready edge. Very few at the start can strop truly well and that is from personal experience. If you then strop a shave ready razor before your second use of it and find the shave worse than the first use without stropping you have a pretty good indication that your stropping is not up to par.

I think a lot of people have very high expectations about how good a shave with a straight razor will be when starting out. The shaves can be excellent but it takes about 3 months of shaving every day with a straight razor to gain a decent level of proficiency with one in order to get that decent shave. It is a steep and longer learning curve than most had thought, myself included. When you start to learn to hone your own it is more of the same. Been there also and all of that was made even worse as I was self taught with no mentor anywhere near where I live to give one on one tutoring.

You are lucky in that there are quite a few members in southern Ontario in and around TO that could help tutor/mentor you. If you can I would reach out to one of them to see if they can help you.

Bob

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

yes Phil has a great rep, not knocking it at all, but did he hone a new razor in the box?

I'm sure he did it. That's his big selling point, that he hones all the razors he sells. The seal was open and his card was in the plastic bag so I'm sure it's just me not knowing what I'm doing yet. Like I said, I'm sure I was pressing too hard for one thing and I'm also guessing I wasn't consistant with the angle for another.

Originally Posted by BobH

All razors bought from Classic Edge come professionally honed and a follow up honing is at no charge.

https://classicedge.ca/index.php?rou...ory&path=71_60

When I started to learn to shave with a straight razor I had Phil hone a couple for me and even though I could not shave well at the time I did recognize that they were indeed shave ready. That is especially so when compared to my early attempts at honing my own. Hind sight is a wonderful thing.

There are many reasons a shave ready razor may not shave well in the hands of a beginner, been there myself, and range from the wrong angle, poor lather and poor stropping among others. When you get a shave ready razor the advice for a beginner is not to strop it before first use because poor stropping can degrade a shave ready edge. Very few at the start can strop truly well and that is from personal experience. If you then strop a shave ready razor before your second use of it and find the shave worse than the first use without stropping you have a pretty good indication that your stropping is not up to par.

Yup, I didn't touch it. I wanted a properly honed razor so I knew what it should perform like. I have 2 others on the way so one of them will be the one I hone myself. I don't suck with a knife on a stone/strop but I understand knives are far different than razors

I think a lot of people have very high expectations about how good a shave with a straight razor will be when starting out. The shaves can be excellent but it takes about 3 months of shaving every day with a straight razor to gain a decent level of proficiency with one in order to get that decent shave. It is a steep and longer learning curve than most had thought, myself included. When you start to learn to hone your own it is more of the same. Been there also and all of that was made even worse as I was self taught with no mentor anywhere near where I live to give one on one tutoring.

Actually, I did much better than I expected to! Having read a bunch of posts here, I wasn't under any illusions that this was going to be easy. :-)

You may have already read this article on your first straight razor shave from the Library, but it offers very good advice.

https://shavelibrary.com/w/First_straight_razor_shave

Take it SLOW. Maybe just begin by shaving the easiest parts of your face - the cheeks. And do not neglect the prep, it’s a major part of the zen-like routine that makes the whole experience pleasurable.

Originally Posted by tms

Yup, I didn't touch it. I wanted a properly honed razor so I knew what it should perform like. I have 2 others on the way so one of them will be the one I hone myself. I don't suck with a knife on a stone/strop but I understand knives are far different than razors



Actually, I did much better than I expected to! Having read a bunch of posts here, I wasn't under any illusions that this was going to be easy. :-)

That is good that you did not touch it so the tugging is down to beginner shaving and or lathering technique which is quite normal even with a shave ready razor. Yes, honing a straight razor is similar to sharpening a knife or wood working tool but different at the same time. You'll notice the difference when you hone your first razor so it will be no surprise to you as you are expecting that.

Since you did better on the first shave than your expectations you seem to off to a good start. It will only get better from there.

Bob