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  1. #1
    Member gegtik's Avatar
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    Default Newbie here.. need help :X

    I've been thinking about this since probably last november or so, and after much reading and no less hemming and hawing I decided to put a SR on my xmas list. Not too surprisingly, no-one bit, so I had to decide on one to buy myself.

    I have a really, REALLY heavy beard so I decided to get a heavy razor - a TI 7/8 from classicshaving. My friend picked up a 5/8 TI at the same time, so we're in this together :P I also picked out a dovo leather/linen strop to be sent along with it.

    Then there came the really unbearably long wait as it shipped from california to my workplace in toronto, but that magical moment finally came yesterday.

    I finally got it straightrazor home and, as impatient and anxious as I was to shave with it, I decided to do some more reading about SR shaving before putting it to the test.

    One recurring theme I saw was that the blade should be sharp enough that if you take a hair and slowly push the blade into the side of it, it should pop in two if the razor is really sharp enough to shave with. HOLY SHIT. So I did the hanging hair test and the razor didn't hold up its end of the bargain.

    Apparently this isn't unusual for razors when you get them from the factory.. generally they just need some stropping but nothing so serious as an initial honing so I attempted to strop the razor, taking some tiny nicks out of the leather strop as I began to figure out the proper hand motion.

    After this work, the razor still wasn't popping hairs in two but I stupidly decided to try it anyway since it felt pretty damned sharp.

    After a long hot shower and some facewashing with glycerin soap I was ready to lather up and shave. Now, I really set forth a task here because I had nearly 2 weeks of growth to shave off and I am one hairy mofo. It actually started really easy on the cheeks, but started to get really difficult by the time I made it to the neck.. I was trying to acclimatize myself to switching hands when shaving different sides of my face but my left-hand motor control is way too retarded so i nicked myself and decided to stick to the right hand from then on. Due to the lack of sharpness, I had to tend to the delicate parts around the mouth by using both hands on the blade to steady it.

    In the end I had maybe 3 or 4 nicks, and probably not the closest shave I have ever experienced, but now I see I have alot of learning to do. I'm gonna spend some quality time with the strop this weekend and see if I can't get the blade popping-sharp. If not, It may be time to buy a hone :X

    Do you guys have any advice for me? I'm feeling like this is going to be a really involved hobby

  2. #2
    Face nicker RichZ's Avatar
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    Are you kidding all of us here are nuts!! Members of RA ( Razors Anonymous )

    This does become pretty consuming however I really enjoy it.

    You said it does not pass the hanging hair test but shaved you well??
    Well that IS the test. Forget about all the different tests there are several different tests that you can use after honing but it really comes down to how well does it shave you. I have 13 different razors some pass the test some don't, most shave well. It sounds like you got a really great razor.

    We had a big discussion this week about what kind of hair do you use for the hanging hair test. I use boar (from an old cheap brush) because it is like my beard. If it cuts that it will shave me well. Oh and hold the razor still and bring the hair to it.

    I have been doing this for a year plus now and I still shave with only my right hand. Can not seem to get it with the left. But it works ok for me.

    Get used to nicking yourself. It happens. Alot in the beginning less after a while.

    I will tell you the 2nd most important thing in shaving some say the first. Proper skin prep before shaving-- Hot shower, put in contacts, (I'm blind without them ) preshave (I love proraso) and good soap or cream. Then take your time.

    Welcome to the club!!

  3. #3
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    My left hand is pretty uncoordinated too (strange for a guitarist I know) but through a bit of perseverance and a few (read lot of) nicks, I managed to get it in the end. But if it works for you, stick with the right. Theres no defined right and wrong way to do anything, you do what works for you to get a good shave.

    If you want your razor super sharp then send it to Lynn (hes the sharpening service on classicshaving) or one of the other honemeisters on here. They will return your razor in super sharp condition which will ironically help you get less nicks as you will be using less pressure as you shave.

    Also dont worry too much about the nicks on the strop, they wont affect the performance as long as theyre not too big . Just take it real slow on the strop until you find the correct action and remember, keep the spine of the razor on the strop at all times.

  4. #4
    Member gegtik's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RichZ
    Are you kidding all of us here are nuts!! Members of RA ( Razors Anonymous )

    This does become pretty consuming however I really enjoy it.

    You said it does not pass the hanging hair test but shaved you well??
    Well that IS the test. Forget about all the different tests there are several different tests that you can use after honing but it really comes down to how well does it shave you. I have 13 different razors some pass the test some don't, most shave well. It sounds like you got a really great razor.
    I would say it shaved adequately at best, by my standards.. it caught on the hair alot and required several passes nearly everywhere, but I don't know whether to attribute that to poor shaving, poor stropping, or just having a two weeks of heavy beard on my face. I'm going to go in for my second try sunday night I think, after another stropping attempt.

    Speaking of which, when I was stropping it didn't really feel like it was 'doing anything', link not catching at all or anything. I tried applying pressure as I kept contact with both the spine and the edge but that didnt seem too different either.. perhaps I just am not paying close enough attention to notice it?

    Finally, I have a question about the condition of the strop itself - I don't have any pastes or conditioners for it yet. Are these necessary, or can I just use the strop 'naked'? (again this is leather on one side, linen on the other)

    Many thanks for any advice you can provide

    Quote Originally Posted by RichZ
    Welcome to the club!!
    thanks I'll try to keep this thread updated as i learn more for myself :P

  5. #5
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    1) Buy a barber hone
    2) Naked is fine
    3) The razor is not sharp enough
    4) Wheres your friend?

  6. #6
    Senior Member str8rzrshvr's Avatar
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    Default My advice to you...

    1 - Your razor isn't shave sharp. Get it honed by one of the honemeisters out here. Don't let the label near the avitars fool you. Ask around...you'll soon run into Lynn, Randy, Tony, etc. the real honemeisters (forgive me if I'm leaving anyone out). Only then will you know what a shave sharp edge feels like.

    2 - Keep at it. Perseverance will pay big dividends later on in your journey.

    3 - Tough beards = extra beard prep. Believe me, even with a keen razor, inadequate beard prep will lead to inadequate shaves

    4 - Ask any questions you may have. This is a great group of members out here. You'll get great advice/tips from a lot of different guys

    5 - Enjoy your newfound hobby and have fun. You're hooked. See Rich's avice about "RA". You're going to end up having to check into a 12-step program like the rest of us.

    Welcome!

    Jeff
    Last edited by str8rzrshvr; 01-27-2006 at 09:01 PM.

  7. #7
    Senior Member superfly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr
    3 - Tough beards = extra beard prep. Believe me, even with a keen razor, inadequate beard prep will lead to inadequate shaves
    Don't forget, you might also want to strop mid shave, between the pasess. Or even during them...

    Nenad

  8. #8
    Hones & Honing randydance062449's Avatar
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    A two week growth? Thats asking a lot from yourself and from the razor.

    Your next shave should be better. Be sure to use both the linen and leather.
    Linen first 30 roundtrip laps then
    Plain leather 30-50 roundtrip laps
    Then shave. Don't hesitate to re-strop mid-shave.
    Many guys with thick,heavy,tough beards do that.

    Instead of purcjasing a hone may I suggest a 4 sided abrasive pasted paddle strop. Have it pasted with 3 micron, 1 micron, 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron
    abrasive pastes. This should bring your razor up to shaving sharpness.
    Tony Miller at www.thewellshavedgentleman.com is the only place I know of that has pre-pasted paddle strops available.

    Tony will give you detailed instructions on how to use the paddle strop to bring your razor up to shaving sharpness.

    Hope this helps,
    Randolph Tuttle, a SRP Mentor for residents of Minnesota & western Wisconsin

  9. #9
    Face nicker RichZ's Avatar
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    Randy is right I forgot to mention that two weeks of growth is a tough way to start. Yes you can use a naked strop.

  10. #10
    Member TMike's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by randydance062449
    Instead of purcjasing a hone may I suggest a 4 sided abrasive pasted paddle strop. Have it pasted with 3 micron, 1 micron, 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron
    abrasive pastes.

    Hope this helps,
    Hey Randy,

    Why do you recommend the paddle? I don't know much at this point, but the hone approach sounds easier to me. Am I off?

    Thanks,
    Todd

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