Thread: Member Introduction: Hello

Salutations,

I guess I could give a brief back story on myself before I talk about razors; I will keep it short. I have grown up in the Central United States and moved somewhere around fifteen times. Started working when I was sixteen and that is roughly when I started shaving. I had always used a disposable razor of some type and haven't started straight razor shaving until this year. I received my first straight as a gift from my family, it belonged to my great-great-uncle. After looking into how to use such a marvelous tool, I bought a practice blade (Disposable DE inserts) and started shaving.

It wasn't long and I earned my first cut, it was well deserved in that it was due to improper angling of the blade. The scar(yes, it scarred over) has then been a reminder to continue good form. Roughly three months later I was no longer nicking myself on every shave and felt as though I should buy a new razor. I purchased a DOVO Silver steel with Black ebony scales. About six months have gone by and I am no longer receiving the supreme shave I remembered right after the purchase. I bought a Norton 4000/8000 combo and attempted honing. The shave after was still a bit rough, but my skin felt leaps and bounds better than it was before the hone. I am assuming that I am missing something, and have decided to join this forum in hopes of gaining some wisdom from some experts and thus improving my shaving experience.

I have recently bought a wedge style razor that I found in a shop. I was hoping to restore this blade and then have a spare. Any tips in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Any and all criticisms are welcome, I am always eager to learn.

Cheers,
JackofDiamonds

Welcome to the forum.

I have the exact same Dovo as you, its a beauty isn't it! Honing takes a bit of practice and it sounds like you've made a decent start there, but over time your edges will improve.

If you post some pictures of that wedge in The Workshop the guys will be able to advise you on the best way forward.

Welcome! It's too bad we start learning on our face and not somebody else's!

Thank you, I will try to locate a camera and post those pictures promptly. And as far as starting out on our own faces, I wouldn't have it any other way. the scars build character.

Hello and welcome to SRP.

I hope you are stropping just before each and every shave on a plain leather hanging strop? for 50 roundtrip laps?

Honing....between each shave perform 10 roundtrip laps on the Norton 8K. Do this 3 times. If the edge still is not as good as new then you will need to drop back to the 4K for 5-10 laps then 10 laps on the 8K. Repeat if necessary. Let us know how it goes.
Be sure and read the Wiki about proper lapping and cleaning of the hones and how to use them.

Hope this helps,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hello and welcome to SRP.

I hope you are stropping just before each and every shave on a plain leather hanging strop? for 50 roundtrip laps?

Honing....between each shave perform 10 roundtrip laps on the Norton 8K. Do this 3 times. If the edge still is not as good as new then you will need to drop back to the 4K for 5-10 laps then 10 laps on the 8K. Repeat if necessary. Let us know how it goes.
Be sure and read the Wiki about proper lapping and cleaning of the hones and how to use them.

Hope this helps,

Thank you Randy,

My standard routine is 25-30 laps on the nylon and 50 laps on the leather before every shave. I will consult the wiki on laps and hone cleaning. As for the 10 laps on 8000 grit, I will reply back when I have attempted this. The advice is much appreciated!

G'day Jack and welcome to SRP.
Firstly, we try not to criticise here - we offer encouragement (well, at least 'til we get to know you better anyway....hehe)
FWIW This may be helpful to you
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-try-hone.html
Good call on getting a different grind to try as your second (of many?) razor and congratulations on getting a razor that belonged to your great, great, uncle - how fantastic would that be.
Hang on and enjoy the ride.

Thanks again Randy,

After going back to the hone and doing the 10 laps at 8k and reading some of the wiki links on here I have brought my Dovo back to the edge I remembered when I first got it. Havachat45, I actually read that post 20 minutes after joining, and took notes in my approach. Thank you all again for the help. Still working on finding a way to post pictures of my wedge style.

Cheers,
JackofDiamonds