Thread: Project coochie razor

I took the little coochie razor for a test-drive yesterday. A small blade certainly is more maneuverable, but it presents other challenges. With a bigger razor, you can let the heft of the blade do the work. With a little blade, you have to put a lot more finger-strength into controlling it.

The GF is still pleased with the smooth, bump-free quality of the shave. As per Lillith Parker's suggestion, I took my last cake of fragrance-free soap & dedicated it to coochie shaving. I should get my GF a little bitty brush to go with her little bitty razor. How funny.

Well, gentlemen, I haven't bought a "coochie razor" yet, but I did my first shaving last night. I mean my first shaving ever with a straight razor and it directly applies to this thread. I know, a heck of a way to start, but that's always been my style. First, let me say I had taken my 5/8 Wapi and a round edge Celebrated Razor from Curtain & Clark Cutlery for a test drive on myself when they arrived in the mail from being honed. I have someone to teach me straight razor shaving, but I haven't been able to connect with the person lately, so I had to "wing" it myself. The shave last night was not on myself, so I could actually see what I was doing. I stayed out of the nooks and crannies this time, so to speak, and concentrated on the larger top area. I think it went ok. I mean, there was no cutting skin and the result was pretty smooth, so I think that means success. She was willing for me to post pictures but I said I didn't think it appropriate (aw, I hear your dismay already).

Ok, questions and comments now...

I only had a cheap puck of soap, a boar brush, and my coffee mug available. I used the above mentioned razors which were honed very well by Mike at thewellhonedrazor.com. I did a hot towel, lather, hot towel, lather, shaved/ reapplying lather as needed, cold rinse, and no aftershave (we don't really like alcohol down there and I haven't picked up any oils yet).

After I was shaving a bit, I noticed the razor felt more like it was pulling, or dragging and not gliding across as easily, even when reapplying lather. Does this indicate the need for stropping at this point? They all got that way after I shaved with them a bit, but the Wapi seemed to drag the quickest. Thoughts? The Curtin & Clark seemed to last the longest before doing this.

Sorry I've been a little absent lately, guys. My computer crashed and I had to buy a new one. I just got it today and wanted to drop in to say hi. BTW, I'll be posting pics in the restoration section very soon of the custom Brazilian cherry scales that member RMC_SS_LDO made for my Wade Butcher, so be on the lookout because I love it!

Have fun with this post!

If you find the blade noticeably dulling before the shave is even finished, you might be applying too much pressure. Depending on how sensitive the person's skin is, this might or might not cause irritation. But I can turn a razor into a butter knife using my face. You have to use a very light touch. Imagine an airplane grazing the ground. Not slamming into it. You want to just cut the hairs, not scrape the skin.

Re. stropping, 50 strokes before every shave ought to do it. I use a chrome oxide pasted strop every 3rd shave. If you use a hanging strop, pull it tight, but use very light pressure (once again) on the razor.

One thing I notice immediately is that pubic hair is both sparser and larger diameter than beard hair, so instead of getting that raspy "ssshhhhhk" sound, it makes more of a "tinktinktinktink" as it cuts each hair, kind of like chopping down tiny trees. That takes a bit of getting used to.

Johnny J - Wow! A spike point coochie razor! I barely let those spikes near my face (my ear definitely has a say in that), never mind having the confidence to bring it down there! Ha!

Good luck.

Mark

Great job Viola! If you don't mind me asking, who exactly were you shaving?

Originally Posted by tjiscooler

Great job Viola! If you don't mind me asking, who exactly were you shaving?

Someone who trusts me A LOT!

I imagine she would have to trust you a lot to allow you to do your first shave on her...

As for the blade dulling quickly, Wapis are a bit softer than some of the more expensive dovos, or vntage blades, so it would start pulling sooner. Your angle needs to be pretty shallow, or it will dull faster as well.

Considering the thickness of pubic hair, You really need to pay attention to your prep work. Use a good soap, I can't remember if I sent you a sample of mine, but if not I would suggest looking at Mama Bear's unscented soap.

If the blade starts to pull, stop and strop. If you can come up with an extra strop, I'll send you some 0.5 micron paste to use for touch ups...

As for the pictures, you can always just PM those to me you know for scientific purposes, because I'll want to know how well my honing job worked... Yeah that's it, Send pictures, and I'll touch up those blades for you for free next time

Good to know she did it willingly and went unharmed...haha. Is it me or does this guy embody this thread so well?

EDIT: hey I just hit 100 posts! yay

Originally Posted by tjiscooler

Last edited by tjiscooler; Today at 12:03 AM. Reason: 100 yay

Hahahahahaha.

Whew. I found what Mike said to be true as well regarding the Wapi. Mine wanted frequent re-stropping, and though it was mad sharp, I could really feel a difference on my face after only 10 to 15 swipes across heavy stubble areas. Also, it wouldn't hurt to trim the lower regions with clippers or scissors first. That can help lengthen the duration of the smoothness of one's blade

I never had a problem with Wapienica's going dull quicker than other razors midshave.