Thread: newbee questions

I just bought a 'shave ready' supposed to be honed dovo best quality 5/8 razor. so I wiped the oil off and after hot towel I brushed on the soap and then tried to shave my neck as I have a full beard. this, my friends, was a pretty hard experience. I am thinking, I dont know how to shave with this thing,especially the neck area. another thing is that I dont know if this sucker is sharp enough or its because I dont know what IM doing. my neck is on fire now and it pretty much hurt while shaving. Im going to strop it before the next shave and see. here's another issue, I dropped my freaking blade after cleaning it and drying it. I put oil on it, went to put it back in coffin and dropped the dang thing. Is this pretty much in need of re-honing now or what do I do, am I safe? I need help in how to shave correctly and how to tell if the blade is sharp enough. this thing felt like it pulled a little bit too much.

Stop! . . . and yes.

was it open when it dropped? in the sink?

it was closed when I dropped it and of course when it landed it came open. what do I do now?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Stop! . . . and yes.

care to add just a little more to that!

Check the razor out carefully in very bright light. A tear in the edge may be visible. If you see nothing then run a pin down the bevel off the edge. If a pin catches anywhere the blade has a roll in the edge. Then if the pin runs off, strop the razor on your palm gently and see if you get scratched. Be careful with this . . . if all that works, strop the razor and see if it cuts into your strop. If after all that, there are no cuts on the strop it may be safe.

Cut your beard down. Leave only a day or two of stubble.

Read up a bit. You don't know what your doing.

In the mean time let your skin heal up a bit.

Strop the razor before your next shave.

wouldnt running a pin down the edge dull it? of course I dont know what IM doing. where do I find a video of how to shave with a straight razor. I looked but didnt find anything

You run the pin down the blade to the edge. If a burr, it will catch the point of the pin. Pin facing north and south and blade east and west.

The neck is one of those areas where the angle of the blade is very important. 30 degrees or less. There is a tendency to open up the angle or flatten out the razor which can cause pulling and definitely irritation there.

We can always re-hone a razor, but technique is normally the biggest problem on the first few shaves. Most at first have a hard time accepting this, so don't feel alone.

Lynn

Hola Sptcigars,other than your unfortunate blade situation,i notice in your post that your saying "i dont know what im doing" PLEASE visit Straight Razor Place Wiki plenty of info to help give you an understanding of expectations,your off to a shakey start but you will overcome.

thanks, I'll check it out