New Member here ... with some questions
:tu Good morning everyone :)
A little background I guess might help: I've been a classicshaving.com user for years, using a beautiful safety razor, super badger brush, incredible soaps and mug.. but decided after my grandfather passed away leaving me some razors and brushes and a stone, to go that final step, and so I purchased a DOVO straight razor. (About my grandpa: he was a barber in WWII, even cut Eisenhowers hair once..!and left me some wild razors I'll have to ask ya'll about, plus a stone that's got me perplexed..!)
Anyways.. I digress..
The straight razor I purchased was the DOVO Renassaince, stainless steel 6/8. I also got a Norton 4000/8000 waterstone and a DOVO strop. Links as follows:
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/190256.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196036.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196094.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...550/422182.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...60/1165305.htm
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...941/190430.htm
So above is what I use.. of course moving to the straight razor effective Sunday.
A wonderful fella' named Will at ClassicShaving helped me pick these out, changing my order from this paddle strop : http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196043.htm to the DOVO linked above, saying I didn't want the paddle. He also warned me about the stainless steel raozr being harder to sharpen, but would maintain an edge longer, but assured me it was a good razor that would last for many years. He provided a few tips, 10 or 15 strokes on the hones, then 20 or so on the strop, linen then leather.. and he said he picked that strop for its soft leather, that wouldn't need any paste.
Soo ... here's my issues/questions (if anyone can assist).
1) Did I choose an OK razor, something that will last that I can leave for my son when I'm gone like my grandpa did for me?
2) Is that a good strop to use? (Seems short and narrow.)
3) Will asked if I wanted to ship it off to someone for sharpening, but I declined, wanting to try it myself.. was this a mistake?
4) I use the 4k side of the waterstone.. do 10-12 strokes.. then the 8k side.. and then strop linen then leather.. (this is out of the box) and it seems to catch like sandpaper on my face, painful and wont cut a hanging hair (I have to sort of pull the hair, holding it some)..
Obviosuly my techniques flawed I guess.. and I've been reading up on the board here.. When I get home for tonights shave I'll try the pyramid, 5/5, 5/5, 3/3, 3/3, 1/3, 1/3 on the 4k/8k waterstone.. then just some leather strops, being careful to hold it tight and go slow.. Side note: I can't afford a microscope or anything - so that's not an option to view the edge magnified at the moment...
Any advice would be great.. and if anyone can help explain to me (if I figured out how to post some pictures) what this weird, old stone from Fanz someething in Austria (WWII I guess) and a couple old Henry Sears & Son 1865 blades are worth, if I should try to get them useable? please let me know.. and I'll post the info..!
Thanks again! Have a good one!
Jeff