Thread: Hello from Colorado

Hello, I have been shaving with a feather non-sharpen razor for about a year now and have really enjoyed using it. I finally decided it was time graduate to a "real" straight razor so purchased a dove 5/8 full hollow ground from Vintage Blades. The blade was sent shave ready so very excited to use it for the first time. When I attempted to use this blade for the first time a literally could feel it pull each hair from my face. Was I expecting to much or is this a norm? It was actually painful to use. I attempted to re- strop and tried again with same results. What am I doing wrong? Please help!

I'm guessing you've got decent technique from using the Feather. Did you strop your new blade before using it? If so there's a chance you rolled the edge and that could make it pull instead of cut. With a well-honed blade you shouldn't feel anything except the scraping away of the lather. The hairs come off as collateral damage.

Where are you in Colorado? I'm in Grand Junction and I've got hones, if that'd help. We have a lot of people in Denver and on the Front Range as well. Look at the Googlemap in the Community pull-down to see where we are, and add your own pin.

Check out this thread from the Denver meet-up back in July. Pictures start at page 8.

Welcome to SRP and best wishes.

Bravo, Roughkype!
"Where are you in Colorado? I'm in Grand Junction and I've got hones, if that'd help. We have a lot of people in Denver and on the Front Range as well."

That kind of help is what makes this place amazing. Thank you for being part of why its that way!

Roughkype,
When received the blade it had a note saying that it was shave ready and pre stroped and ready for your first shave. Hahaha guess they lied. I purchased a norton 4000/8000 hone when bought the razor so I guess I better learn how to use it. Haha. I live in eaton it is about 60 miles north of Denver. Do you recommend practicing on an old razor before I attempt to hone my new blade? How difficult is it to get a great edge?

Hey gkwin,

Yes, you should definitely practice on another razor first. A GREAT edge is harder than just a sharp-enough-to-shave edge, which is not too hard to get with the right hones and a little practice. Check out honing info on the Wiki and watch some videos. If you get an old razor to practice on, you should also pick up a 1000-grit hone to set its bevel. Do you have a way of lapping your new Norton? That's important too. The DMT 325-grit plate is kind of the standard tool for that, but you can also use wet sandpaper on a flat surface, like a piece of glass or a granite tile.

If you can get a shaving edge off your 8k then you're a good enough honer. You may want a smoother edge than that, which you can get from a pasted strop.

Try to get in touch with some of the guys over on that side of the mountain. They'd be glad to help. I'll PM one and tell him about this thread.

Good luck,

Tim

gkwin84!!

Welcome buddy!! Your in our neck of the woods!! There are several of us down in the Denver area. Sorry you just missed the meet up... It would have been very educational for you.

I've been wrapped up with other problems for a short, but I'm here now and ready for any advice or help you might be able to squeeze out of me. I'm going to PM you with my email address so we can start a real conversation regarding your razor if you are up for it, or if it's ok with you. I'll not send it until I see a response from here that you would like that. I don't want to intrude.

I think all the advice you have been given so far is right on the money, but we can also discuss what sections and techniques you might benefit from right away. Starting to try honing right off is not a good way to go, so we should discuss options, and techniques for determining if you have rolled an edge, or if the blade was truly just not shave ready.

I assume you've gone back to the feather until you figure this out. That is what I would recommend anyway.

Reply to this thread that you still want to have a conversation, and I'm there for ya!!

Talk to you soon,

Mike