Hello all,

I'm a total newbie, both to this forum and straight razor shaving in general. I recently became interested in straight razors and, in my pre-research excitement, I bought a very cheap SZCO razor (pakistan). I also bought a strop.

While I was waiting for it to arrive in the mail, I did some research and realized that Pakistan blades are pieces of crap. However, when it finally did arrive, I decided to try and give it some kind of edge anyway (not to use, just for practice). I spent a long time honing it on a vintage "Boss Barber" stone that I happened to have and stropping it. No matter how hard I try, I can't get this blade to be even remotely sharp.

What I'm wondering is whether or not it's at all possible to get these Pakistani blades sharp. In other words, is it the blade's poor quality or my lack of technique/proper equipment that's the problem? I'm hoping that this is simply a hopeless blade and that I won't have the same frustrations when I get a nicer razor.


Thanks!