Thread: Noob Question: Butch Harner "Grasshopper" seems to have a sticky edge

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and to straight razor shaving. I've been using a Dovo Shavette for a while and decided to treat myself to a new razor for Christmas, a Butch Harner "Grasshopper" from Classic Shaving. I love the look and feel of it, but it seems to grip my whiskers when i'm letting it slide down my face... I feel like the only way to get it to go, is to give it a little nudge and then i'm intimidated by it, because i'm worried I'll fillet my face off.

I haven't tried to sharpen it or anything (I paid $20 to have it done before it shipped to me), but I did by a strop and conditioner along with it.

Should I give it a shot???

What amazes me is that you paid an extra $20 dollars to have a $900 razor honed - for that money I'd expect it to make my tea as well as shave.

I would guess your problem is angle and a degree of nervousness - you can't compare straights to shavettes. If the razor is catching it suggests that the angle is too shallow - try moving the spine away from your face and then with little pressure it should begin to easily cut through your whiskers.

Lol! I did capture my first shave with it on video and I am clearly intimidated by it! Thank you! I'll try a different technique!

Nice razor - get yourself another much cheaper starter blade asap.

Check the classifieds here and purchase a razor in the 5/8 or 6/8 range and try to have it shipped to you shave ready. That would be a good razor to learn on as opposed to a very expensive custom like above.

As far as honing, don't learn to hone on a blade like that - period. IMO, you shouldn't even consider honing until you're down with the technique of learning to shave and strop.

As for that blade, I'd put is aside for awhile until you were proficient in str8 shaving with a blade that will take the wear and potential dings and rolled edges as your learn how to shave and strop.

You don't want to ding that blade on the faucet and ruin it, nor strop it incorrectly and roll the edge on it and get frustrated with the resulting poor shave.

I'm sure others will add their advice, either way, great blade...welcome to the forum!

Using a straight takes a bit of getting used to and being a little bit intimidated is normal at first, at least it was for me. Try using an angle that has about 2 spine widths gap between face and spine and do short light strokes to get the feel of it. As Phrank said do not strop for the first shave to allow you to feel what a sharp edge feels like. When you do strop on subsequent shaves and the blade feels different, dull, tugging or giving irritation, you have a hint that your stropping is off and you have done some harm to the edge. That is normal for a beginner to do. You could try practicing your stropping with a dull table knife to try and avoid cutting your new strop up too when you do use your straight on it.

Bob

That looks like a sweet razor. I always strop before shaving, even after getting one honed. That and some more experience should get you off on the right foot.

I'm thinking along the same lines as Rob, If I put out $900 dollars on a razor God help the seller who ask me do I want it honed and made shave ready!

I don't know the grind of your razor but often times near wedges will exhibit that stick to the face sensation.

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies! I did end up watching a video (by a fellow on this forum no less) on how to strop a razor properly. I took a shot at it with my Wuestoff pairing knife, working on the technique he described, flipping it via the spine, and started to get a groove going with it. I then tried it with my Grasshopper, with about 10 strokes on the canvas, and about 40 on the leather strap. It was a much better experience this evening, in part because I was a bit more comfortable with it, and I do believe the strop helped the edge a bit. I also took the advice and tried different angles and could definitely see that I was at a very shallow angle. The 2X the Spine rule was a blessing!

Here's my video of a first shot at using it... warning though, I'm very candid and speak freely... there is some profanity.

iekkkkk try to use also your other (left) hand to shave. think you cona hit that point on your face on this way some day,and try to use the a good 30 degree angel At the WTG passe.
On the left side ATG hold your eazor on a different way, your handle hits your bathcoat almost and again a nick
Nice blade by the way