Looking for assistance after first attempted shave

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02-22-2018, 09:00 PM
wbehri01

Looking for assistance after first attempted shave

Hey guys. I recently got a straight razor, and a few nights ago got a strop and two sided whetstone(3000/8000, submerged overnight and came with a 30 degree angle assist). I was hoping I would be able to have a nice and sharp blade after 15 round trips on both sides of the whetstone, and 25 round trips on both sides of the strop, but I was greeted by a blade that felt dull and barely scraped the surface of my face. I do not have long, or coarse hair. I applied a hot towel, brushed on a layer of shaving soap, applied another hot towel to wash off the shaving soap, and then applied another layer to start. Where did I go wrong? I assume the 3000/8000 grit is not low enough for an out of the box razor. Any help is much appreciated.
02-22-2018, 09:14 PM
Grazor

The spine of the razor is the correct angle so you don't need any gadget. Also what brand razor and stone have you got?
02-22-2018, 09:31 PM
bluesman7

Welcome to the forum.

30 degrees is way too obtuse for a razor. Setting a proper bevel will likely take a bit of work now. If you post a general location, someone close may be able to help you out.
02-22-2018, 09:35 PM
TristanLudlow

Did you use the 30 degree angle assist?

What kind of whetstone exactly is it?

What strop are you using?

And what exact razor are you using?

I highly encourage you to read the wiki, it's a good learning tool: https://shavelibrary.com/w/Shave_Library

Honing, stropping and shaving technique needs work, a shave ready razor is a must and I doubt that's the case right now.

Bluesman made a good suggestion, I also had many struggles and wish I had someone helping me out IRL earlier

I hope things will get figured out and you can start enjoying shaving with a SR, it takes some trial and error, but with the help of the guys on here and your interest in SR shaving succes will be had
02-22-2018, 09:43 PM
RezDog

You can learn to hone and shave at the same time, however they are two separate skill sets. If you get your razor honed by someone that already has the skills and just concentrate on learning to get good at shaving and then learn to hone that is likely the most simple route. A picture or information about the razor will likely give us an idea if it is in fact a razor or merely a razor shaped object.
02-22-2018, 10:44 PM
BobH

Some photos of your gear or links to where you bought them would be good to try and understand what you are dealing with.

Bob
02-22-2018, 11:43 PM
JP5

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezDog

You can learn to hone and shave at the same time, however they are two separate skill sets. If you get your razor honed by someone that already has the skills and just concentrate on learning to get good at shaving and then learn to hone that is likely the most simple route. A picture or information about the razor will likely give us an idea if it is in fact a razor or merely a razor shaped object.

Everything he said! And when you do start developing your honing skills having a professionally honed razor will give you a standard to compare your own work to.
02-23-2018, 12:02 AM
tcrideshd

You need to back up and read the beginners section. Learn to shave and strop with a pro honed shave ready razor, like has been said list your equipment by name. Also if the stone you have is good for razors it will give you all the edge you need, it's just your not ready to go e cause you don't even know how to shave yet, which prevents you from knowing what a shave ready edge is. Put your location in your profile so you can get help like your asking for. Tc
02-23-2018, 12:29 AM
wbehri01

This is the closest thing I could find to the razor. Box is from RenRen and product code is w3908:
RENREN Classic Old School Shaving Razor + Badger Hair Brush + PU Leather Strap Set - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Whetstone:
https://www.amazon.com/BearMoo-Whets.../dp/B01KT9US30

Strop:
https://www.amazon.ca/Red-Deer-Genui.../dp/B01N7MFVYV

I live in the Windsor, Ontario area

Thank you all for the assistance so far
02-23-2018, 12:55 AM
Grazor

Yeah, so that razor is no good. Have a look at the classifieds here and get a true shave ready razor to start with. Don't know about the hone, but you basically get what you pay for. Main thing, don't get discouraged, you not the first and won't be the last to have purchased an RSO.
02-23-2018, 01:18 AM
Dlb1963

Very true you get what you pay for, I am still learning how to shave properly. I send out my razors to get honed, then I will try to learn that skill once I have my 100 or so shaves in. It does get much better.
02-23-2018, 11:10 AM
Gasman

Welcome to the group. A lot of info has been given and its on the money. First learn to sha e with a pro honed real razor. Try and pick one up from the B/S/T part of the forum. You will het a good razor with a real edge. Stay away from ebay! That comes later. Learn to shave, lather, strop. Then learn to hone. Read the info in the library.

Its a fun way to shave but it take time. Long slow trip but in the end you will thank yourself for sticking with it and learning this great way of shaving. BTW, sometimes you can get a razor for around 30 bucks on this site that is shave ready. Just wait for it.
02-23-2018, 02:48 PM
tcrideshd

That razor will not give you ou good results, no matter who works on it. If you really went with a real pro what hones razors and shaves with them he might tell you that before he messes with it. Oh we'll find you a vintage in the classifieds and stick with it. Tc
02-23-2018, 03:11 PM
RezDog

There is a large crowd in southern Ontario. BobH is in Thunder Bay is is likely a valuable resource for you. He is pretty knowledgeable. There is also MikeB52, Phrank, HarryWally and a bunch of others. Bob is retired and likely to have more time. I started with a set from Classic Edge. The classifieds is a pretty good resource for shave ready blades at reasonable prices.
02-23-2018, 05:00 PM
outback

PM me your address, I'll send you a real razor, honed, stropped, and ready to go.
02-23-2018, 05:33 PM
Diboll

wbehri01,
Take outback up on his offer. Plenty of folks on this site like nothing better than helping beginners out. Don't hesitate since I'm sure he has plenty of razors to spare. :gl:
02-23-2018, 05:38 PM
Dlb1963

Wow, that's a great offer from outback!
02-23-2018, 05:44 PM
cudarunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback

PM me your address, I'll send you a real razor, honed, stropped, and ready to go.

You are being offered a Great Opportunity--You would be wise to take him up on his offer!!!

As has been mentioned, there are experienced members in your area, hands on experience is the finest there is! If at all possible please reach out to them, perhaps a meet could be arranged.
02-23-2018, 06:19 PM
BobH

I would not mind helping out with some one on one tutoring but am a 1hour and 40 minute plane ride from TO.

Bob
02-24-2018, 12:10 AM
outback

Must got Skeered..or he's a troll. God forbid.:rofl2::shrug:
02-24-2018, 07:48 AM
Gasman

Man, i hope not. Thats the second guy in a week you offered a razor too that i know of. People just dont get it. Your a fine man Mike. I hope he is just busy and will check in this weekend.
02-24-2018, 11:13 AM
Dlb1963

Many questions... so few answers.
02-24-2018, 01:03 PM
tcrideshd

Sounds to me like all questions answered, now for the answers to be implemented. Tc
02-24-2018, 04:17 PM
Maryland998

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback

PM me your address, I'll send you a real razor, honed, stropped, and ready to go.

Beat me to it. Was gonna PIF a no name vintage shaver I have languishing in a drawer. Maybe another rookie. :)
02-24-2018, 04:59 PM
outback

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maryland998

Beat me to it. Was gonna PIF a no name vintage shaver I have languishing in a drawer. Maybe another rookie. :)

He's all yours, should he ever return. My offer is gone
02-24-2018, 06:29 PM
Maryland998

Ok Mike. Will do.
05-14-2018, 10:05 PM
HappyMan

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback

Must got Skeered..or he's a troll. God forbid.:rofl2::shrug:

Let someone offer me a free, shave razor and see how fast I send an address! I'm okay with a strop, but I only have one razor, and it would give me something other than gillettes to compare against.

Wes
05-14-2018, 10:30 PM
RezDog

I am willing to bet that if you are a sincere person in that and offered either of these two upstanding men a dialogue by PM you would find yourself with all the help you could ever want.
05-15-2018, 08:39 PM
Papabear11

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

You need to back up and read the beginners section. Learn to shave and strop with a pro honed shave ready razor, like has been said list your equipment by name. Also if the stone you have is good for razors it will give you all the edge you need, it's just your not ready to go e cause you don't even know how to shave yet, which prevents you from knowing what a shave ready edge is. Put your location in your profile so you can get help like your asking for. Tc

I agreed 100% on that learning to shave and strop properly must be you priority, when you’l be Able to do that you will understand more how to hone a straight. Of course there is lots of way’s to hone there is also the fact that maintaining your edge is also a part of honing. To me i’ve Been straight shaving now since 2014 and that’s what I do. I’m not yet able do start whit the Bevel setting etc... but what I do now works for me cause I did start whit shave ready straights.