Thread: Afraid to use a razor

I have a couple of razors that I like so much - vintage, the right size, nice grind, ivory scales, etc.

I am afraid to use them I really hope they become my best shavers and this is just too much pressure, I'd hate to be disappointed in these.

Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience

Cheers
Ivo

Not really. If they don't shave well, I take them back to the hones and turn them into great shavers. If they're a common grind and I still can't get proper results out of them, then there must be something wrong with the steel, but so far I haven't come across anything like that.

I am not afraid they will not shave well - I am afraid they will not be at the top of my rotation! I would like them to be my best shaves, and this is no short order with some of the other razors I have...

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo, in that case you have to think of them like women. Just because the woman is a looker, doesn't mean she'll behave as well as the best you've been with. If the performance isn't as good as expected, there are plenty of other lookers out there.
The analogy ends with the fact that divorcing a razor equals a financial GAIN

Use them and appreciate them for what they are. There are two ways of looking at the situation: either the razors are not worthy of you because they won't take the edge you desire, or your honing skills are not worthy of the razor because you can't put a sufficient edge on it.

One interpretation has you ditching some really interesting and beautiful or historic razors, the other inspires you to improve your skills at the hone.

Edit: I should mention that the second interpretation is a major cause of HAD.

Ilija,

when I was single I had a ceratin standard I didn't normally (i.e. - when sober or without extreme peer pressure) fall under, and it might just be me, but I always liked the pretty ones more. The ones I stayed with were also good

Michael,

One of the razors is from a brand you LOVE and I have been able to put very nice edges on her sisters - consistently! Now, she's definitely the prettiest of them all, and if she shaves worse than the others I'll be devastated

Honestly, I'd prefer to think my skills are not up to par yet! Because this can be improved. If it IS the steel / blade - then I can't really hope for anything

Cheers
Ivo

Ivo, I'm not saying that you should stay away from the pretty ones, but if a pretty one doesn't perform, you can always find a pretty one that will It also helps having gear for plastic surgery (razor restoration) so as long as she performs well, I can make her look good

OK - point taken. I will shave with one of them soon...

Cheers
Ivo

Good. In that case I don't have to get into the cold pizza analogy

And some razors can be convinced into shaving well if you smack them around a bit first until they obey, errr I mean put them on the 1k until they get a good bevel.