Thread: Hello from the Miami Valley (Ohio)

I have a given name, but most everyone calls me Mule. One of those nicknames that just never went away. I'm nearing 60 and have always been a blade shaver as well as an auto technician & Public safety communicator. Twenty some odd years ago when all this double, triple, slippery strip, foams, and gels non-sense gathered momentum, it was time for a change. Not to mention it was getting expensive for disposable items. I hooked up with Col. Conk, Merkur DE, and never looked back.....until 3 years ago when I picked up my first straight. I'm kind of weird in the fact I've always been fascinated with steel. Fabricating, repairing, but especially sharpening. Saw blades, chains, cutlery, clip knives, sheath knives...You name it and I've tried to sharpen it. There is just a satisfaction in seeing just how sharp I can make them, and make it last. I recently picked up a new Puma Damascus that they'll probably have to pry from my hands to bury me.
When it comes to straights, it's a whole new ball game.The honing basics are similar, but that polishing to give you the desired shave & comfort is a tough nut to crack. I've stropped fillet knives for years, but that was to remove the burr more than polish it.
I'm still working on my shaving technique. Prefer lathering creams as opposed to most soaps. I'm not good at all with my left hand, not to coordinated with it. SRP has all the good stuff, I just need to continue sifting through it. I have 2 Dovo razors honed by Lynn, then 3 more I continue to practice on. They all shave, but Lynn's are the best.
Thanks for a great web site & a wealth of information.

yeah, that honing thing is a tricky bit. I've sharpened stuff my whole life, but this is completely different. Of the half dozen razors I've honed, I've only had good success on two. Two others are showing me mediocre results while the other two...well...I have no idea what's going on with them.

Thanks for your FYI. I was beginning to lose confidence in my abilities. Straights require that finesse I haven't got yet. Everything else I've sharpened to this point has been a bit more heavy handed, but pretty much 2nd nature. With straights I still have to think about it so I don't lean on them too hard. Even when I strope them.

Welcome. Good to see another Miami Valleyian. It just takes time to get your non dominant hand to do what you want it too.

Hello, Mule:

Welcome to SRP. The straight razor world requires "special handling," so to speak, a few steps beyond the ordinary. That's part of the pleasure of it. You already have discovered that.

I am right-handed, but shaved two-handed from the first day. No, my left hand was far less maneuverable than my right. To train it, I began using it for the typical daily chores, such a brushing my teeth, opening cabinet doors, stirring liquids, and so on. Now my left hand swaggers with confidence.

Yet, no written rule states you must use two hands to shave with a straight razor. When asked, I always recommend two hands. If one hand is preferred, however, that is perfectly all right. What matters is what works best for the shaver.

Regards,

Obie

Now that you mentioned it, while I still turn wrenches I just don't do it as much as I used to. Pneumatic air tools also play a big part in it, but at one time I was pretty good left handed. Then, I wasn't holding extremely sharp objects to my face & neck either. Think I'll try it at work this week. Stuff that right hand in my pocket and see how much I can get away with left handed. Good tip.!!