Thread: New in Ohio

Mark,

I'd have to agree with jhenry - try some traditional shaving lather. Although I wet shaved for years with a safety razor, when I started using a straight I found Jockey's Uberlather video incredibly helpful: http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...tml#post342845

Save the shaving gel for when you're traveling and can't take your straight razor.

Take Bill S up on his offer. I wish I'd had someone nearby when I first started.

Good luck!

Trust me, if someone is actually willing to make sure im doing this the right way, i will definitely take them up on the offer.

So what exactly should the thumb pad test result in?

I tried the hair test, and NOTHING happens. The hair just runs over the blade. I used my gf's long hair after she showered.


"
TPT - Thumb Pad Test

Performing The Test


Thumb Pad Test

1. Hold the razor in your dominant hand and aim the edge upward.
2. Place the fingers of your off hand along the downward facing spine for absolute control over how your thumb contacts the shaving edge.
3. With a moistened thumb pad, draw your thumb very gingerly across, not along, the edge repeating all along its length to feel how it grips or bites into your thumb print.

Interpretations

1. If the edge has a faint tickling sensation and just starts to grip onto your thumb pad then you are in the right neighbourhood for a shave test.
2. If the edge bites and grips your thumb pad relentlessly wanting to cut in and not let go, then the edge may be over honed.
3. If the edge tickles your thumb and feels like a very sharp knife with a good cutting edge then you are not sharp enough. This sensation is usually felt coming off a medium hone like a 4,000 grit water stone.

Finer points

1. The cross edge action of the thumb is done much more carefully than one would normally do it for a knife since you are looking for different responding factors.
2. I regularly perform this test after every few laps on the hone to chart the progress in the creation of the edge.
3. The sensations described above are from my personal vantage point and your perceptions may vary. The definitions cannot substitute for the actual experience of sensation since perceptions depend primarily on the tactile sensitivity of the tester. Calloused hands, for example, may find it difficult to accurately grade a razor’s edge with this test."

My results were,"none of the above."

I feel like i could produce the same results by running my thumb over the spine. Same sensation.

Mark,

I'm not sure I can help you there. I spent some time with Lynn Abrams (SRP founder) and finally got the hang of the TPT after he handed me multiple blades at various levels of sharpness to compare. It is definitely a "feel" that is hard to put into words. To me, the more shave-ready the blade, the more "chatter" I felt as my thumb ran across the blade.

Greg

Well my blade has no chatter to speak of.

Mark,

Sorry if I'm being redundant, I didn't read all the replies. Str8 shaving does have a huge learning curve. Your describing typical reactions...I'm sure the blade is good to go, However, since SRD is so close, you can drop by, I'm sure Don will be glad to check it, and you can see the Thumb Pad Test in person...

Angle is most likely the culprit here. I alway tell guys to be conservative on angle when they start, Less is more...and Yes, 3 days growth will make a huge difference when your just starting out...Use your DE or Mach 4 or whathaveyou, and make sure when you use your str8, your on 1 days growth...It will help a lot...believe me...

Make sure your prep is good. Hot towel, or Hot shower..soften your beard. If you have pre shave oil, use it, if not, try a few drops of Olive Oil...It'll help soften your beard.
Be sure your stretching your skin when shaving...Don't use too much pressure....I like the bird analogy...Hold the blade just firmly enough so it doesn't slip, but loose enough so that it can flex if it hits a rough spot...

If you use too much pressure, You'll irritate your skin...You may want to toss the Edge Shave Gel, and get some better shave cream...Pretty much anything SRD sells...
I'd recommend Castle Forbes or Truefitt and Hill. If your a soap guy, SRD's brand is awesome...Hope this helps...

P.S. Your GF's hair after showering was way too soft, she probably used conditioner...A better hair would be a moustace or Goatee hair, something firmer...

Rich

You can try a couple of blades that have been breathed on by the Master. Lynn has tweaked some of my razors......they're adequately sharp.

Thanks Bill! Bill took the time out of his Friday to help me get the most out of my shaving experience as a noob. I feel so much more confident shaving now than i did before. I actually feel like i know what im doing with the straight razor now. I also found out I have been stropping correctly as well.

Thanks again Bill.

It was my pleasure, Mark. We never really got around to trying some different razors. Maybe next time.

Feel free to call anytime.