Thread: Is it me?

OK I am new and understand that there is a learning curve, but I just don't get it. I can shave with no cuts with a shavette, both ways super close. However, I seem to have had one hell of a run with a real razor. I just had it sharpened at a local straight razor place where I live (I had to take it back because the first time it was unable to shave my arm hair) and not only did it not do the job, but I cut my face?!?!?! Am I an idiot and doing something so wrong that I should be shot for stupidity, or is it like in a kitchen where the dullest knifes do the worst damage?

This will sound counterintuitive, but you might be more likely to cut yourself with a dull razor.

Given the number of horror stories I read here, I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling when I hear about someone getting their razors honed in a "shop." Too often that involves a grindstone and a ruined or at least dull razor. The fact that they didn't get it right the first time means their ability is questionable at best. You might want to let someone else hone it for you.

The fact that you can shave with a shavette suggests to me that, no it's not you. I'd like to make sure you get off to a good start with a real razor. I'll hone it for you for the price of return postage. If you're interested, just send me a PM.

I going to have to agree with Utopian on this one.
You should send it off to one of the many people here and get it honed.
I can promise you it will be super sharp and give a nice smooth shave.

Originally Posted by Utopian

This will sound counterintuitive, but you might be more likely to cut yourself with a dull razor.

Given the number of horror stories I read here, I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling when I hear about someone getting their razors honed in a "shop." Too often that involves a grindstone and a ruined or at least dull razor. The fact that they didn't get it right the first time means their ability is questionable at best. You might want to let someone else hone it for you.

The fact that you can shave with a shavette suggests to me that, no it's not you. I'd like to make sure you get off to a good start with a real razor. I'll hone it for you for the price of return postage. If you're interested, just send me a PM.

You cant beat an offer like that,so get crackin and ship that razor out!!

Given your experiance with a shavette and the fact that the "shop" failed to properly hone the razor the first time it would not surprise me if the shop did a poor job the second time. You would probably be best served to send it out to an experianced member here, and given utopian's generous offer I see little reason not to. Those found here generally give the razor a shave test with it to make sure it is properly honed before sterilizing it and sending it back, this will allow you to rule out the razor as a possible culprit. Best of luck!!

Man I hope you take Ron up on his offer...
Two reasons here
1. To get you a "Shave Ready" edge
2. I can't wait to hear what the edge is like when Ron gets the razor before he hones it up...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Man I hope you take Ron up on his offer...
Two reasons here
1. To get you a "Shave Ready" edge
2. I can't wait to hear what the edge is like when Ron gets the razor before he hones it up...

I agree with Ron/Utopian as well as with Glen/GSSixgun. Take up Rons offer it will be like nite and day!

I too look forward to knowing just how bad of a job they did. Seriously, spend just a couple weeks browsing these forums and reading up on things, and you'll learn real quickly that if it's not you, someone from this site, or someone who knows someone from this site who is honing the razor, then it's probably not going to be shave ready.

FWIW --

I've found that if a razor passes the "cut the treetops" test, I can shave with it. [Others will disagree. I've never had _any_ blade pass the "hanging hair" test, and I'm sure it's me, not the blades. But I can reliably do "cut the treetops".]

The test:

. . . Hold the razor flat against your arm.

. . . Raise it off the arm by 1/8".

. . . Try and shave your arm hair, _without touching your arm with the edge_.

If the edge catches and cuts hairs, it's pretty sharp. If the blade just glides over the hair, without catching and cutting, it's not sharp.

Try it, see what happens.

Charles

As others have said, get it honed by someone on here, a blunt razor can do more damage, i have done this in the past, put it to my face face and when i try to shave, the razor jumps instead of slicing your whiskers=cuts!