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  1. #1
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    Default Which would you do?

    After much experimentation & the correction of many mistakes, I came up with a shaving method that seemed to work given my steel-eating, barbed-wire, horror show of a beard. However, not content to rest on my laurels, I set about trying to find a new method that would reduce the amount of paraphernalia in my shaving kit.

    I believe I now have two workable methods, each with pros & cons. I would like to solicit opinions as to which is the better way to go.

    Method 1: use a chromium oxide pasted strop for maintenance. I have to touch up the blade every other shave, because if I don't, by the third shave I can feel the deterioration. After a month, the edge has become so convexed from repeated polishing that I have to go all the way back to 1000-grit sandpaper to re-establish the bevel. The upshot is, the convexing of the edge seems to impart a strength that is lacking in a triangular edge polished to the same degree on a Lithide hone.

    Method 2: Follow the heretical rules & give her 5 swipes on the cushioned strop hone, then 5 on the Gem hone, before every shave. Skipping the Lithide hone seems to result in a less polished, therefore stronger, edge.

    Which of the above would you do?


    For the record, these methods don't work:


    1. Using all 3 hones (the cushioned strop, Gem, & Lithide) without the pasted strop. The resulting edge is too delicate.

    2. Shaving right off the cushioned strop hone. The edge is far too crude. The resulting shave is painful & of mediocre quality.

  2. #2
    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    Can I suggest a damascus blade? It sounds to me like you need some really hard steel.

    X

  3. #3
    Never a dull moment hoglahoo's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by xman View Post
    Can I suggest a damascus blade? It sounds to me like you need some really hard steel.

    X
    That is quite a steel (steal?) at $800
    Find me on SRP's official chat in ##srp on Freenode. Link is at top of SRP's homepage

  4. #4
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    Yeah... For 1/10 that price I can buy 2 or 3 ebay razors & grind them into oblivion with a clean conscience. Or maybe look for a stainless razor.

  5. #5
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    Well, so far, I have to say I like the consistency of the results when I hone before every shave, but I *REALLY* like the silky polished edge that comes from the chrome oxide...

  6. #6
    Senior Member tjiscooler's Avatar
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    ....Do both? hone a bit before for consistency then polish on the chrome real quick before shaving then you have both and it will never convex because of the honing...

  7. #7
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    I'd also suggest either Damascus steel or perhaps a less than fully ground razor. 1/4 ground or meat chopper. Sounds like you've got a nightmare of a beard.

  8. #8
    Junior Honemeister Mike_ratliff's Avatar
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    Contact Josh Earl, and ask him to make you a razor, 1/4 hollow, and ask for it to be extra hard...
    Trust me you won't have to bother with either of these choices.

  9. #9
    JMS
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    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
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    I don't know your beard, and I don't know your experience! That said, let me offer a third choice. I think you should perfect your stropping, but make sure your razor is honed properly first!!

  10. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
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    How is your prep? A good prep softens the hairs considerably.
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.

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