Thread: My first shave

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

So many variable involved in getting a good shave. One of the biggest is the HHT. It works for some and it doesn't work for others. In many cases even when the razor fails the HHT it will give a good shave. Some peoples hair is not conducive to passing the HHT. I know mine doesn't. I base the condition of the razor on how my shave went that day. Example: Refreshed a couple of razors this morning. One in particular has not been giving a good shave for a while. Ran it over the 8k followed by a few laps on a 12k and a long stropping session. No HHT test, just a slight thumbnail test. Shaved decently and will use again tomorrow with a long stropping session before use and I know it will be good and mellower than today's shave. Basically, good honing or refreshing followed by crox and a long stropping session will give you the shaves you desire. Of course, paying attention to the quality of your lather and the angles you use for shaving different parts of your face will all contribute to daily success.

thanks for your input really appreciate it sorry what is crox

It's chromium oxide, available in a paste or spray for a separate strop surface...watch this video to learn about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Originally Posted by Hadrada79

thanks for your input really appreciate it sorry what is crox

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

It's chromium oxide, available in a paste or spray for a separate strop surface...watch this video to learn about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Thank you il watch this tomorow at dinner thanks for your help

I've had my 2nd shave now with my new razor and I warmed up the strip with my hand and then gave the blade 50 laps, I know I'm new to this so my stropping may not be that good but the blade should be sharper I feel, it tugs on tash and beard i stroped it again half way through.
it still has given me a good shave ,however nowwhere as sharp as a shavete, the blade seems sharper in different places, now could I have purchased it not honed very well and if I strop it more can I get this sharper? Does it hurt to just strop your blade continuasly. Or should I get it rehoned? Any help will be good.

Going back to post #4, I have to ask if the vendor you named is recognized by the wet shaving community in the UK as skilled honer?
My humble opinion is that if your razor was truly shave ready you would not have issues with tugging at the start. Of course, your stropping and shaving technique play a role also. My suggestion at this point would be to send it to a skilled & known honer to have the razor touched up. When it is returned don't strop before the first shave. You will now then if it was the razor or your technique.

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Going back to post #4, I have to ask if the vendor you named is recognized by the wet shaving community in the UK as skilled honer?
My humble opinion is that if your razor was truly shave ready you would not have issues with tugging at the start. Of course, your stropping and shaving technique play a role also. My suggestion at this point would be to send it to a skilled & known honer to have the razor touched up. When it is returned don't strop before the first shave. You will now then if it was the razor or your technique.

Thanks for your help, I have 2 honing stone on there way to me, I'm a carpenter so I have sharpened chisels and things before I know it's not the same as a straight razor but I will give it one go and see how I get on and if I fail I will send to get done, thanks for your help. I don't think it has been honed that well as the blade edge is not even on one side it has more of an edge near the heel And the other side does not show much of an edge ?

Originally Posted by Hadrada79

Thanks for your help, I have 2 honing stone on there way to me, I'm a carpenter so I have sharpened chisels and things before I know it's not the same as a straight razor but I will give it one go and see how I get on and if I fail I will send to get done, thanks for your help. I don't think it has been honed that well as the blade edge is not even on one side it has more of an edge near the heel And the other side does not show much of an edge ?

Hadrada! Please do yourself a favor. DO NOT try to hone that razor yourself. The reasons being many. First, no matter how many tools and knives you have sharpened, honing a razor is like learning how to walk, talk and drive all at the same time. Secondly, by the description you gave of the razor in question it has enough problems that will even challenge an expert honer. The problems have to be hones out by an experienced razor honer before a decent and basically even edge is put on it. Then, and only then can you judge whether it's the razor or your technique. Having been a stubborn beginner myself, make it easy on yourself and start off with a pro honed razor and SLOWLY go from there.

Ok I shall do as you say but once it's been done then when it needs the hone I will have to learn how to do it, if I get it done professionally then at least I get to see how it is ment to be, thanks.

Harada, check with celticcrusader, he's in South Wales so I don't know how close he is to you. PM him and ask if he can hone it for you or can recommend someone closer to you. And as for learning how, first you need to study the videos made by Lynn and gssixgun (Glen Mercurio) and also see if you can meet with a UK member that will be willing to show you how to hone a razor. It's not difficult, but it is exacting. I have no tool/knife sharpening experience but after carefully watching those videos and a lot of emails to a honer that I have used (sent him razors that I have honed, he tried them out and told me what to do to improve) I can now hone my razors to shave my face comfortably. I will not hone for others till I've honed at least 500 times. Then I might feel I can do for others.

Before you even think of honing that razor get it examined by an experienced honer - from what you describe the bevel is uneven and you may need to return it for replacement. Honing it yourself will probably invalidate that. I just looked at the double sided hone they offer and there is no indication of grit size - it does not fill you with confidence that they know a great deal about what they are selling.

If you can take some reasonable photos of the bevel - post them here.