Thread: Couple of new to it questions

Howdy from west Aus.
New to straights, struggled for years with disposables, then tried an electric. Lol.
Have a beard like a wire brush, needless to say neither was working out.
Thought I'd give the straights a go = totally addicted.
Anywhoo, my questions are;
With the dubl ducks, I read a lot about warped scales, is there a way to prevent this from happening to them prior to the problem arising?
Next, is it normal for the scales to spread in and out noticeably when opening and closing the blade? Not on the duck, different blade.
Are there any issues with setting bevel on a 4000 then progressing up?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Matt

Theres several guys down in about where you live. They know what they are talking about so look up members by location and shooting them a PM to see if they are willing to get together with you.

For your questions though. If they are the original scales on the duck I would just replace them. Maybe load some pictures of both your razors.

4k grit could do bevel setting but you might have better things to do with your time. A 1k or 2k might be a better choice.

If you have not already, spend some time in the library. tons of info.

Welcome! I know nothing about scales on Dubl Ducks, but on the 4k question, as I understand it, it can be done, It will just take a much longer time than a more aggressive stone (1 or 2k). Good luck!

Hi Matt, and welcome to the addiction.

The wire beard is what may be driving the questions on honing - I've seen beards tear up an edge really fast. Normally, you'd want to master the shave w/ pro quality edges, but your beard may be so tough the edges don't last a week. That would put a premium on beard prep - to slow the rate of edge fade.

As Cosperryman said, you've got some REALLY talented guys down there. The time spent w/ them would give you a fast lane on the learning.

Those are the celluloid scales and over time and exposure to light and heat and water they start to deteriorate and that is one of the symptoms. There is no known way to prevent it. If you keep the scales in a dry, cool, dark environment you might delay the inevitable.

G'day Matt & welcome to SRP from a relocated Sandgroper
there's a few lads in the Perth area that may be able to help you along, as they had a meet up not to long ago I think.
my answers for your questions are as follows though:
For scale warping in any scales not just DD I have seen pleanty of reasons from humidity, to just being layed flat can warp them don't warry about it to much as all can be straightened with the right amount of heat & pressure - plenty of posts on this on here
Cell rot on the other hand is whole different thing.
scales spread in and out noticeably - this is very normal as most straights have a tappered tang & as the tapper rotates it pushes the scales open no problem either, and this is the reason why scales are made of flexible materials.
Full bevel setting on a 4k is not impossible but hell of a slow proccess, when I started honing I used my Norton 4k on a couple of striaghts and it took hours were as with a 1k I can do a complete bevel set to 12k finished in under an hour now? the 4k should be ok for touching up a previously shave ready edge thats gone to crap & deteriorated past the 12k or 8k refresh mark
but definately take the advise & get your first couple of straights pro honed & get used to shaving with them before honing your own, as a bench mark at least, as it is easier to learn on a propper sharp edge especially with a coarse beard until you have the feel right for it then keep 1 as the bench mark & learn to hone from resheshing & working your way back to bevel set later down the track as required

Hey matt a few of us are hoping to meet either late next month or early october, keep an eyeon the downunder forum, there is a thread for the perth meet, if you post onto it you will get email updates telling you of any new posts on it. Hopefully a few of the other guys will come along too this time round, which reminds me i need to propose some dates

Thanks guys.
Will def keep an eye on that one for a meet.
Have plenty of questions etc.
It would be great to pick some experienced brains.
Thanks again
Matt

Originally Posted by auzziebuddy

1. With the dubl ducks, I read a lot about warped scales, is there a way to prevent this from happening to them prior to the problem arising?
2. Next, is it normal for the scales to spread in and out noticeably when opening and closing the blade? Not on the duck, different blade.
3. Are there any issues with setting bevel on a 4000 then progressing up?

Matt

1. are you looking to buy a dubble duck and want to know what to look out for? I read a few post up they are colluloid (I always thought they were blonde horn somehow, but I never held one in my hands so just trust thebigspendur on this one )

2. this is kind of normal, the tang usually has kind of a wedge shape, to prevent to much warping a lot of people use washers on the inside when pinning (DOVO does use this aproach as well)

3. it should be no problem, but will take time, color the bevel with a permament marker so you can see your progress