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Thread: How bad is my blade?

  1. #11
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    Thank you all for helping me out. Its hard being a new guy at anything especially straight razors lol. I bought this in hopes it would be a good razor. In the pics there were no chips in the blade before I bought it go figure. Does anyone have an estimate of what it may cost to have it fixed right.

  2. #12
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    I estimate that that sort of blade is not good for a beginner, period. Smiling edges take experience to strop and hone. It will come around, no doubt, but at what cost? Better to start with a more conventional, 20th century blade. Save that for later!
    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

  3. #13
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    Sharptonn you are probably right about not being good for a beginner. I'm going to send it to gssixgun for a hone and see how long I can keep it going lol. If I can't I will purchase a 20th century blade until my skills improve. Do you have a recommendation for a good blade that will be easy to maintain?
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  4. #14
    Senior Member WhiskerHarvest's Avatar
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    Check out the Dovo's or other German straight razors. You will probably want a 6/8 that is 1/2 hollow up to full hollow. A 5/8 will do the trick but seeing how large your vintage blade is a 6/8 will be a good jumping off point. A lot of guys will suggest buying a new razor but I believe that choice should be made by the buyer. Read through the wiki here and learn what you can about straights and shaving. When you find a razor you like ask us questions and we can help with the finer points of razor shopping.

    You don't need to spend a fortune but a good first razor really straightens out the learning curve!

    My last bit of advice, buy a razor and stick to it for a few months. Resist buying other razors because it can mess with a beginners technique, trust me! I started with 2 and within a few months had 7 and suffered from some serious shaving related problems because I didn't have the technique down. Then again if you enjoy razor burn....
    I shave because I want to, not because I have to!

  5. #15
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gh2010ism View Post
    Sharptonn you are probably right about not being good for a beginner. I'm going to send it to gssixgun for a hone and see how long I can keep it going lol. If I can't I will purchase a 20th century blade until my skills improve. Do you have a recommendation for a good blade that will be easy to maintain?
    Poor Glenn! He gets all the bastard children! Seriously, if you go this route, you could do worse! He shall get it spittin hairs out and you would behoove yourself in following his advise! Nothing shaves smoother than an old Shefffield smiler! He will advise you on it's care, no worries! With a proper starting point, these are easy! It's that starting point which is hard to attain. JMO
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    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

  6. #16
    EdG
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    I totally agree with Whiskerharvest. There are tons of options for a more user friendly beginner razor. Poke around on the beginners threads, check out the Wiki to read more about the options. Once you have an idea narrowed down, ask questions....you will get lots of knowledgeable answers and advice.

    My first was a 6/8. It is a perfect size to start...not difficult to mmaneuver, and will have a bit more heft for a better feel IMO. I have read some good things a smiling blade can do, especially in the hallows of the neck, but I haven't tried one yet because I am inexperienced. Which also means I'm scared. I think those things should go hand in hand here because, after all, we are wielding a super sharp piece of metal against our own throats!

    Good luck with your decision! Whatever you decide, there are lots of folks to help here.

  7. #17
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    Well last night I gave the razor a try as is. It is pretty sharp but does not make for a very comfortable shave it does pull and tug on the hair pretty good. I took a shower with proraso pre shave on my face and really got the hair nice and soft I let the hot water run over my face for like 20 mins. Then I used some of the art of shaving preshave oil as I really like it for its sliding characteristics. I used proraso shaving cream in the tube to make a nice creamy lather using a good bit of water so it would be pretty slick as well. On the sides I could feel it pulling but the razor was cutting some of the hair. I took my time and tried from a 30 degree angle to almost flat on my face to see what difference it made. I also used a scythe stroke or at least the best I can do it. I put in a good 30 mins with multiple light passes testing the shave. My conclusion is that it is not shave ready. However since I am new to straight razor shaving I will post another review after I get it back from Glenn so I can compare the edge. I finished up with my gillette slim my grandfather used in the war and my face is bbs as it should be.

  8. #18
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
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    I am really glad you tried it before,
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  9. #19
    Senior Member AlanII's Avatar
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    It's not shave ready but can be made so and I'm sure sure that Glenn will get it there.

  10. #20
    Senior Member WhiskerHarvest's Avatar
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    When you have the technique and a properly honed razor it's like having a whisker squeegee!

    Just bear in mind that there is a learning curve here that includes stropping, lathering and all three passes to name a few. I would mention pre-shave routines but I think you have that one pretty much nailed; I'm actually surprised you couldn't just rub the hair off! Ha
    I shave because I want to, not because I have to!

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