Anyone in PDX?

I tried shaving for the first time with a straight today and it was a sorry attempt. I followed instructions for honing and stropping, watched videos on how to do it properly, and on how to build a good lather. I tried the moistened thumbnail and ball of the thumb and I get a good pull on both and left a nice little slice on my thumb from just the pressure of the blade. I'm not sure why, but when I tried the razor on my face at a 30 degree angle (or less) with the grain I ended up not really taking off any hair at all. For reference, I have a moderately thick beard and have actually had my beard grown out for years now. It's always been rather itchy so I'm aiming to get rid of it now. I never shaved much before because I always got razor burn, but I care more about looking clean-cut these days. So....anyone able to help me out and show me what I'm doing wrong? If not, any ideas or suggestions? I use this for shaving soap and a boar brush if that makes a difference. And yes, I made sure the skin wasn't visible at all when applying the lather.

Forgive me, I'm sure I'm the only one that doesn't know, but what or where is PDX?

It's the airport code for the Portland International Airport in Portland, Oregon.

Ahhh OK, thanx, btw your razor is not sharp enough. So I take it your looking for some hands on instruction? Although I think those tests for sharpness are great if you reaallllllly know what your doing, I"m curious what happens when you do the hanging hair test....I wouldn't be able to help you unless I knew what equipment you have available. I can almost assure you that you should not be trying to shave with that blade.

I had to get one of my wife's hairs as mine isn't nearly long enough :p
Anyway, the hanging hair test failed. The equipment I have is a two-sided sharpening stone from Excalibur Cutlery and a 4-sided paddle strop from Tony. I do not have any sharpening pastes as of yet, but I'm guessing that I need a surgical black stone to finish the razor or some strop pastes. I was just hoping I was done spending for now.

Probably not, you bought the 180/220 OS04 or the HL2 model for razors? You would need pastes for the paddle strop if you want it to "hone". You might be able to hone the razor but let us know first which one you have.

I picked up the 180/220 OS04. The gentleman at the shop said that's the one he used to restore older razors that had really lost their edge. Unfortunately he doesn't hone razors any more due to arthritis. Still answered a ton of my questions, though.

Those stones are dulling your edge. The 4000 and 8000 grits are what you are looking for in honing stones and untilll you can pass a hangin hair test you will be unhappy with what the razor does on your face. I, personally (very light beard growth) CAN get a shave from a razor that almost cuts a hanging hair, but easily notice the difference on the shave.

The straight razor demands a whole new kind of keen well above and beyond what a knife would require. It's not an easy thing to get down even with the right equipment and it IS impossible without.

X

Thanks for the advice. Guess it's time to keep my eyes peeled for a good Norton.

Hi guy! :)

I have to jump in here before you torture yourself anymore.

That 220 grit absolutely will not create a shaving edge not even if you get the paddle strops with abrasive pastes and use those for 2000 laps!

NO JOKE!

What that stone has done toi the edge of the razor is almost a crime.
It has, for sure,chipped the hell out of the edge. A 4000 stone will not correct this, only a 800-1000 range stone will do that.

Please, NEVER! use that grit on a razor again. The steel is simply to thin and brittle. No razor can survive that coarse of a stone.

What to do? Well, send me your razor and I will fix the edge and hone it up for you. No charge, just pay return postage. And get the paddle strops with abrasive pastes and a plain leather strop if you don't already have one, with linen.

Randy Tuttle
1027 Desoto St.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55202
phone 651-776-0699 call anytime

Ah well, at least I have a good sharpener for the kitchen knives now. Thank you Randy, I'll send that out today.

I was afraid it was the 220 as that is where the link kept throwing me, but with that razor hone just under it I thought well....maybe you got the razor hone. Randy has offered the only sane option for you at this point. Is this the same razor that you posted a pic of before, a Wade and Butcher I think? I would be patient, Randy will need some time to fix that blade. You may want to look at buying a "shave ready" razor for yourself for Christmas. Some are as low as $30 from a group member. I might not give up on looking for a hone still, you may want some kind of hone eventually. A Norton is a good choice or maybe just a cheap barbers hone off Ebay. The pasted strops are good to have as well. Nortons are expensive...but worth the cost I'm afraid.

Yep, it's the one and same. I've managed to get most of the pitting out of the blade. I'm not worried about making it pretty at this point, I just want it useable.

Im in PDX (Hillsboro, actually) and I tried my first shave a couple of days ago and it was a mess. I have a brand new razor but probably need to have it honed.

What is the razor and from where did you get it? I ask the latter as it may indicate whether or not it has been honed.

It's a Vintage Blades Brand. I bought it as part of a shaving set.

Well question not answered. , can't help unless we know what you did and where you got it,, you will need it shave ready to at least have a chance to learn. Tc

It's literally called Vintage Blades Brand. From Vintage Blades LLC .com. It's a 6/8" blade. A Vintage Blades Brand Straight Razor Set - – Vintage Blades LLC

I'm thinking these are the guys who make Grim Blades. Razor looks very familiar

They are. They sent some Grim stuff with the shave set.

Whiskas, a question or two for you. Did you do any reading in the SRP Library, specifically the list of good and bad brands of razors out there before you purchased your set? If you had you would have seen that both the Master and Grim brands are on the bad razor list. Inconsistent production and quality control have place them there. Yes they can be made to shave, but it takes a lot more work to do so and absolutely no guarantee that the edge will maintain itself past a shave or two. A good quality razor, new or vintage, properly honed and stropped correctly can maintain it's shave ready edge for as long as 10 months to a year before touch up or re-honing is required.

Before you proceed I would suggest that you take the time to read the Beginner's Section in the Library and read a lot of the threads in general before venturing any further along the straight razor shaving path. It's a satisfying and slow journey that pay off with better than good consistent shaves.

Sending 6that blade to Randy will be the best choice you could have made.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Sending 6that blade to Randy will be the best choice you could have made.

---

My offer was made in 2005 :)

Contact Pinklather and ask him who can hone a razor in the Portland Oregon area.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/pinklather.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randydance062449

My offer was made in 2005 :)

---

Indian giver!
:)

(Apologies for the now politically incorrect phrase)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whiskas

It's literally called Vintage Blades Brand. From Vintage Blades LLC .com. It's a 6/8" blade. A Vintage Blades Brand Straight Razor Set - – Vintage Blades LLC

---

I looked at the link and it is very telling that there is absolutely no claim of the razor being shave ready.

I've got a good friend in Portland who's been straight shaving for over about two years. He hones his own razors. Not sure if he's on this forum or not. I'll contact him to see if he's willing to help a brother out.

Sandycrack