Thread: Extremely disappointed in new, honed TI

I find it really amazing that people can't seem to grasp the concept that in days or old barbers were highly skilled at giving shaves and people assume that only they can give themselves great shaves or that there must have been plenty of bad barbers. I grew up in NYC and back in the 1950s when I was growing up barbers probably did more shaves than haircuts yet no one says they can give themselves a better haircut than a barber can.

As far as some barbers being bad goes if you went to a shop to get a haircut and the barber did a poor job would you go back to him. The same with shaves. Most shops in those days served a pretty small community even in a big city and a poor shave or haircut meant a reputation at that shop. it would also translate to no customers and the shop or barber would be looking for another line of work.

Unlike the present day when people expect mediocrity in everything and seem surprised when something is done right the first time back then attitudes were different. It was expected that things were done right the first time and there was little toleration for shoddy workmanship or skill.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Unlike the present day when people expect mediocrity in everything and seem surprised when something is done right the first time back then attitudes were different. It was expected that things were done right the first time and there was little toleration for shoddy workmanship or skill.

+1


Tony

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

As far as some barbers being bad goes if you went to a shop to get a haircut and the barber did a poor job would you go back to him. The same with shaves.

I bet it's even more true with shaves. A bad haircut means you look a little goofy and maybe have to comb your hair a little different for a week until it grows some. A bad shave hurts!

When I got married we thought it would be fun for the wedding party to get shaved at a local barber. This turned out to be a horrible idea and was rather painful. To make matters worse, I still had stubble that would easily show up in pictures so I had to shave a second time, on skin that was already very unhappy. Quite obviously, I will never, ever go to that place for a shave again.

I'm gonna agree with the previous posters who emphasized technique. I was an SRP member for a few days before my first straight shave, and I heard all these posts about great, comfortable, smooth shaves. I posted a similar question about my DOVO from Classic, just to make sure that they were reputable with their sharpening services. Of course they are, but I just didn't believe that my razor was shave ready because my first few shaves were so poor, and even considered sending it to SRD for a honing. However, I decided that I should garner some more experience before sending it out. Good decision.

The thing to remember is the huge number of factors that can change a save other than the razor itself. As my technique has improved, so has my shave. As I've began using "superlather", my shave has improved. As my lather making skill has improved, so has my shave. As I experiment with other creams, I have found that some are slicker and more lubricating, and thus my shave has improved. As my stropping technique has improved, my shave has improved. Etcetra, etcetra.

Point is, now I'm sure that my DOVO arrived, and still is, shave ready. If you find that your TI is dragging a bit try stropping a little more. Or try a more lubricating cream or soap than you would ordinarily use. Or try a different preshave routine. Switching up these variables will change the shave, and may yeild better results.

Of course, as Tony Miller has said, it certainly could be the razor....

FWIW

You might try the arm hair test at this point since you already tried the shave test, See if the razor clips arm hair with little to no effort, if it does then re-strop it up and adjust your angle and technique...
I have seen many NOS razors that are singing hollows, with an instruction sheet that states point blank, to place the spine on the face and to shave with a very shallow angle and a very light touch.. That being said as a person who only uses full hollows I have found that using those instructions, works well, along with near perfect prep, it is not by coincidence that I only use Uberlather, it actually does work when using these singing blades...
Now if the razor will not clip arm hair than I would take Lynn up on his very generous offer to re-touch the edge for you...

Keep in mind that as Nelson said any sharp razor will shave, but when switching between grinds and sizes you have to also adjust your techninique, which I am quite sure the barbers of old did with an expert hand...

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I find it really amazing that people can't seem to grasp the concept that in days or old barbers were highly skilled at giving shaves and people assume that only they can give themselves great shaves or that there must have been plenty of bad barbers. I grew up in NYC and back in the 1950s when I was growing up barbers probably did more shaves than haircuts yet no one says they can give themselves a better haircut than a barber can.

While I agree with you, just the end result was not everything to a barber shop shave. Yes, cuts or irritation or completely unshaved patches were unacceptable. Decent closeness was probably good enough. A major part of the barber shop shave is all the prep, relaxation, steamed towel, face massage, 5, 6, 10 step process, and finally, someone else cleans the sink and washes the towels.

Apparently the vendor's listing erroneously stated it was professionally-honed; they've offered to fix it at no charge, so all's well that ends well. Impressed with the service.

Pretty shocked expensive razors can arrive from manufacturers essentially entirely un-shave-ready, but perhaps they can't spend so much labor time on the honing part of the process.

Well then that's that! I wouldn't be too surprised, most of the manufacturers don't hone by hand...the razors leave the factory after being ground, and sharpened on a belt or wheel, but not hand honed, simply because of time and effort constraints. Let us know how it shaves once you get the razor back!

Keep us updated please.. it is important for us to hear how things go after you get it back to see what we can learn technique wise, and to contrast your experience of non shave ready vs shave ready on the TI singing blade.

You should be fine when you get it back. My first straight was a TI fresh from the factory. I learned to shave with it. Oh my it hurt. Couldn't believe it when I got my first shave ready vintage. So smooth. Three or four months later, got the TI up to speed and it's a great little shaver now. (Still prefer my vintages though.)