Boker Edelweiss

**simplerbydesign** · 08-05-2013, 04:29 PM

Hello everyone! So I have what I think is a pretty common story. I am new to straight razor shaving and I saw a video on shavenations site of the Geo shaving with a Boker Edelweiss that he said was "shave ready" out of the box. All he did was strop it and shave. I thought this would be a good razor to start with because I wouldn't have to delve into honing right away. My problem is that I have shaved twice with it and I am not sure if it is me or the razor or both but in certain spots it pulls a bit on my face. Both times before I shaved I have stropped with linen 15 times and then with bridal leather 50 times. On my face it feels fine when I am going north to south but on my neck or accross the grain is pretty rough. I am guessing that it is because I don't really know what I am doing yet but I didn't know if anyone here had experience with Boker Edelweiss Straight Razors?

**BobH** · 08-05-2013, 05:11 PM

I don't know about the new production ones but I have a vintage one that I honed up and it shaves very nicely. Sounds a bit like you need to figure out a your technique a bit for those certain spots. Check the library here for some ideas Category:Shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki . It just might be you need to adjust the blade angle a bit.

Bob

**SirStropalot** · 08-06-2013, 02:08 AM

Hey sbd,

I'm betting your razor needs to be honed professionally. Even if you plan on getting into honing it will benefit you to get it honed by a pro honer to give you a benchmark for sharpness and comfort. There are a number of members here that do honing and other services and you can find them at this link. Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
You'll find contact info on most of their posts.

Also, gssixgun, Glen did a video about what a shave test is, but he also touches on prep, angle and technique. I think you'll find it helpful.

and enjoy the forum!!

Regards,

Howard

What is "The Shave Test" for a Straight Razor - YouTube

**simplerbydesign** · 08-06-2013, 11:33 AM

Thanks a lot, both of you!

**thebigspendur** · 08-06-2013, 04:03 PM

Any claims about new in box razors being shave ready should be taken with caution. Some may come close however truly shave ready rarely comes with new production pieces. Exceptions are custom pieces and custom class types.

**Attila** · 08-06-2013, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Any claims about new in box razors being shave ready should be taken with caution. Some may come close however truly shave ready rarely comes with new production pieces. Exceptions are custom pieces and custom class types.

This is very, very true. Plus, Geo has pretty tough skin and he has the benefit of years of experience using a straight. I would definitely get your Edelweiss honed professionally so that you will be able to feel what a truly shave ready razor feels like.

**Roso** · 08-06-2013, 05:31 PM

simplerbydesign, I got an Edelweiss from SRD and they hone the razors before sending them out. I have very much enjoyed shaving with it and have had no issues.

**simplerbydesign** · 08-07-2013, 01:08 AM

Can anyone confirm or deny that Hart Steel Razors are truly shave ready out of the box? I know that a lot of people say that no new production razor is truly shave ready but from what I have heard about Hart Steel they don't seem to do things the same way as other companies and I really want to support them because they are American and I respect what they are doing. I was thinking of buying one and when I get it (if it comes shave ready), I was going to send my Edelweiss to a professional honer (I don't know who yet) so that I wouldn't have to put my straight shaving on hold while I wait for my Edelweiss to get back from the Honer. Any thoughts or information that would help me with this? I have a shavet to practice with but it is cheap and doesn't get the best shave to say the least.

**str8tlkr** · 08-07-2013, 02:59 AM

Hart Steel should be shave ready. The website quotes: "All blades are finish honed on a vintage Escher hone and hand stropped. Every blade is “shave ready” right out of the box." Check the classifieds on this forum for getting your Edelweiss honed. There are several that hone razors for reasonable prices. I can personally vouch for Lynn and gssixgun. Since you are new to straight shaving, I would bet that at least 2 things are working against you on the accross the grain passes. 1. Your stropping skills are probably not improving the edge at this point. 2. Your tequnique isn't quite there yet. I am somewhere between 75 and 100 shaves in to this so I remember going through the same issues. I can tell you it gets better with practice, so persevere and you will be rewarded.

**Firefighter2** · 08-07-2013, 03:08 AM

These razors are probably "factory honed", not "professionally honed". Big difference.

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