Thread: Good Buy ?

Indeed, seemed to go quite well in fact. Well done.

Looks like it works. It doesn't matter what the razor looks like but how it shaves

I think you did well, glad to see it works. Kudos for bravery

I have a few razors that have hone wear.. They still work.... I like that Wilkenson. You dont see a lot of those out there.

Thanks guys

I was a tad nervous . . . I did that thing where you put the blade to your face and your brain says "Don't do it ! Use the disposable ! think of the carnage !". But i figured i'm not exactly an oil painting anyway so what's the worst that can happen ? I also realised i had my grip all wrong after i finished the right-side. I was holding it too far down the blade so couldn't actually see what i was doing. After i started holding it nearer to the pivot-point (rivet, whatever you call it) i found it much easier.

Switching to the left hand was . . . interesting. I found the longer you look in the mirror the harder it is to work out whether you should be tilting the razor forward or back to get the required angle. I actually put it down, when for a walk about the house to 'look at something different' then came back, relathered and went at it again. Once i'd done both sides i figured i'd done enough and finished with a disposable. Oddly enough when i picked up the disposable i was really nervous about putting it to my face ! Almost like i'd forgotten how to shave 'normally' . . .

Either way i enjoyed the experience. I've got a nice badger-brush, some sandlewood soap/bowl (bondstreet stuff) and a strop on the way. After the shave i gave the blade a few passes on my 8000 stone and managed to get the bevel a little more even looking along the blade. I'll strop her up tomorrow and go in for round two

I'd avoid the hone at the moment, while it's working there's no need to try and fix it. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

2nd Shave today

I must say i felt 100% more confident this time. The razor felt better in my hand and i found myself committing to the strokes more, not as 'afraid' of the blade. I did both sides with left and right hands stopping when i got to the beard. This area felt harder to cut. I think the hair maybe thicker ? Either way i didn't want to push my luck so finished up with a disposable. Two things i noticed -

1 - If it feel like your razor is getting blunt apply some fresh lather. It then slides across. It's surprising how quickly the lather drys in warm bathroom

2 - I found it easier 'locking the arm' and using the wrist to make half-moon 'scything' motions rather than dragging the hand (if that makes sense)

Either way i enjoyed it am already looking forward to the next shave

NB - Ignore my left ear. I haven't chopped it off

Well done and congratulations!

You surely have a talent for a straight razor!

Yes, well done.