Thread: New razor

[FONT="Century Gothic"]Well I just started using a straight razor about mid April and I hacked my self to piece the first couple of times but since then I have gotten much better the razor I bought was a dovo bismark you know the one with the black plastic scales and round tip the razor it self is great but the scales kinda sux its very loose. I'm pretty sure this razor is a full hollow ground but not a singing razor.
Well I like to shave against the grain for that extra smooth feeling but I have noticed that when I shave my moustache against the grain the razor tends the pull and i end up bleeding even thou I haven't cut myself strange right.

Back to the new razor, I ordered my second razor a few days ago which is a Prima Klang, it came today, I haven't used it yet but it feels so nice in my hand and the scales are nice and tight so the razor just doesn't pop out on me like my bismark does. I'm hoping that the extra hollow blade will be little kinder to my upper lip then my bismark.

Just so its clear I am happy with my bismark, it was my first razor so you know I made many errors in stropping like flipping on the blade instead of the spine, nicking the strope a few times so I have prematurely dulled the blade I believe so I will be sending it back to srd for re-honing. and maybe some new scales.

If anyone is in the market for a bismark you might wanna try the model with the bone scales instead of plastic they might be tighter but I'm pretty sure its the same blade which is great.

You may be able to tighten the scales slightly with a spoon. Apparently the instructions for this are in the wiki but I could not find them. so my version is:

With the Blade closed take a soup spoon
place finger under back side of pin
lightly tap peened side of pin with back of spoon
This tapping should only be as hard as you could manage if tapping spoon on your finger. if it would hurt your finger it is to hard.
I do 3-4 taps and test and then maybe couple more if needed.

I am no expert but Maxi showed me this and it has worked for me on a couple other razors

Alucard,
First up congrats on your new acquisition.
After your first month of shaves it looks like you a making good progress. As you say, get that bismark rehoned and it'll be good to go. The extra hollow blade will only be any kinder to your upper lip as you develop your technique. It really does take some time (between 50 & 100 shaves seems to be about the norm)
Take your time to learn to shave and to strop and continue to ask questions here.
Good Luck

i've seen a few videos and even a thread on here calling the ATG on the upper lip the 'Fool's Pass'. i've never done it for this reason. i think wtg and xtg is sufficient in cleaning up the mustache area.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ls-pass-2.html

Thanx for all the advice everyone.

I have been using my Prima Klang for about a week now and its great, it still tugs slightly on my moustache but no where near as bad as my bismark. I'm still getting used to the 5/8 blade, I still find the 6/8 a little more comfortable in my hand then my new 5/8. But I'm sure that's only because im not used to it yet but oh well I love the my new razor.

If any one is looking to buy a new razor than the Prima Klang is for you!!!

Sounds like your Bismark could use a touch up to improve the edge. Try stropping on some newspaper, a paddle strop or a bench strop with some chromium oxide or diamond past/spray. Start with 5 or 6 laps then test shave. Do more sets of laps and test shave until you get the edge where you like it. Barber hones or other more expensive finishing hones will also bring up up to speed. You can always send it to a hone-mister to tune it up. I have a Bismark and it shaves just fine.