Thread: First post, First straight razor, First question!

Also to add to their questions about pro honing the razor....if you have really sensitive skin try cold water shaving helped me tons

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

It's never been to a professional to get honed. I can say that it does tug and skip. I chalked that up to being a newcomer and not getting my angle right, not keeping me skin as tight as I could, or not lathering enough (I re-lather a lot because it's taking me so long and the lather dries up).

I can definitely add a cross-grain pass to my routine. I've done it in the past with my safety razor but my beard grows in such crazy directions that even a small patch winds up being both across and against the grain on the same pass.

I'll definitely look into cold water shaving. Never tried it and I guess it can't hurt!

Originally Posted by mgoffin

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

It's never been to a professional to get honed. I can say that it does tug and skip. I chalked that up to being a newcomer and not getting my angle right, not keeping me skin as tight as I could, or not lathering enough (I re-lather a lot because it's taking me so long and the lather dries up).

I can definitely add a cross-grain pass to my routine. I've done it in the past with my safety razor but my beard grows in such crazy directions that even a small patch winds up being both across and against the grain on the same pass.

I'll definitely look into cold water shaving. Never tried it and I guess it can't hurt!

If it's tugging and skipping, you'll be better off not using it until it's properly honed. A dull razor is hard to work with, and will cut you faster than a sharp one.

While I was at my hair stylist today she mentioned that she has a shear sharpener guy she swears by. I asked her if he did straight razor honing and she contacted him. Turns out he does! So I am going to compare mine honed by the local guy and the one Lynn did for me that is in the mail! If they feel and perform the same then at least I know the honing did the trick and that there's someone local I can support! If the local guy's honing isn't up to the Lynn's level, then I'll know in the future where to send out my blades for honing

FYI: I'd ask if he shaves with a straight and what process he uses to hone. We have a local guy who doesn't shave with a straight and doesn't use stones to hone. Some sorta belt contraption. I wouldn't let him touch any of my razors. Besides, if he doesn't shave with a straight, he doesn't have a clue if a razor is shave ready.

Excellent points. I was planning on asking him what his process was and if I could watch, but I didn't think about asking if he shaves with a straight razor!

Today I shaved with my new Boker King Cutter 5/8" that I got from SRD. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Definitely sold that the old blade needs a proper honing. The Boker is much lighter than my TI and considerably louder which is great (I like the feedback). I was pretty nervous going into the shave knowing this was a properly honed blade, but no bleeding! I do have a lot of practice to get my angles down so I'm sure over time I'll get that super-close shave going

Thanks for all of the help everyone!