Thread: Issue with new Ralf Aust - thoughts?

If you have a problem with a product .. you usually contact the seller. Give them the chance to make things right before making a fuss about it.

Originally Posted by Smyth

I do know that I could not have made the razor shave this poorly with my brief stropping, given my experience with my other straights.

If you don't think you did anything to it..

You are basically saying it's the Vendors fault without first giving a change for them to correct it before taking it public..

I disagree, with respect. I actually was hoping for getting some ideas here as to what I might try to address my straight razor related issue. For example, Lynn puts me in mind of the possibility that I did an ineffective job of initially rinsing off the oil. So I will check that. But, really, I think SRD can withstand my "taking it public" on a shaving forum that happens to send them a hell of a lot of business, including from me.

I'll also note, that my original post was hardly attacking SRD, as I said there: "Any thoughts? I expected a shave ready razor from SRD, but maybe they just missed this one? Or is it something I could be doing different without realizing it? As to the latter, I'm not sure how that could be, in that it is almost identical in dimensions and style to my Mandarin.

You will tell me to contact SRD, and I will, but in case there is some user-error possible I'm not thinking of, I wanted to start here with my compatriots."

I've got a thought for you... I think you should talk to the vendor..

Here's a scenario for you. Say I send you my razor to hone.. it comes back I strop it. Shave. . It isn't where I want it to be. I don't think it was any fault of mine why would I? I then instantly I post a thread saying I expected my razor shave ready from Smyth .. any ideas.. other then the most obvious to contact him first before questioning his abilities..

I will. I only hope they are still in business after my devastating public attack on this forum.

Take a deep breath smyth and solitarysoldier and count to 10. The appropriate place for your conversation smyth is with the folks at SRD.

Well, yes, it is now. I think solitarysoldier and I can handle a little back and forth, but thanks. I did infer one possible fix from Lynn's comment, which is to ensure I adequately wiped off the oil, so not a complete waste of time. We'll see when I give it another shot tomorrow.

I have received razors from many different people that were shave ready. I liked the way some performed better than others.

There are a lot of variables that are neither the fault of the honemeister nor the end user if the end user doesn't like the way it shaves. The best anyone can do is to sharpen it and test it on his face. You can certainly report the results of your shave to the vendor and ask for a touch up. More than likely it's close to being just the way you like it and a minor adjustment is all that's needed. These people know what they're doing.

Long-term, the best way to make sure a razor is the way you like it is to learn to hone it yourself. That's what I do. It's tailored to your face, your skin, your blade angle, your lather, your stropping routine, etc. Occasionally it takes 2-3 honings to get it just the way I want it because I'm less experienced than a pro.

What fascinates me about straight shaving is figuring out how this all comes together to me. It never gets boring. I get superior shaves when I control every phase of what went into that shave. It took me a long time to come up with the right combination.

From experience.... If you have any issue with an SRD product they are great at communication via email and phone to resolve any issue you may have with one of their products and keep you as a customer. It is really worth the time to make a call or drop them an email even it is just for advice on use of the product.

Does this razor have black horn scales?
If so...she may bought the DECEMBER sale one.
Its stated as having minor cosmetic problems and
"WILL NOT BE HONED"
Or a certificate for a rehoning......