Help a member out. Test my razor.

I'm 6 months in and have a little RAD. Just got a nice new razor, pre-honed by the seller, that I just can't cut hair reasonably with. It can remove hair, but does so poorly for the amount of effort. Experimented with different angles, etc., and I just am not getting close to the shave I get with all other razors. Seems sharp with the TPT.

Since I don't want to jump the gun and start honing this, or trying a double bevel, selling it, or doing something stupid, would an experienced member be willing to borrow this razor to test so as to give me some tips?

I will take care of all postal expenses.

HNY!

Mike

That is an excellent idea!

I'll volunteer if you'd like. If so, just let me know and I'll send you my address.

Thank you, I would gladly accept. PM me your addy.

Do tell...what type of razor?

Cat,

I have decided to keep it anonymous, so as not to flame any brand or person. Hope you understand...

M

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elendil

Cat,

I have decided to keep it anonymous, so as not to flame any brand or person. Hope you understand...

M

---

No worries at all :) Just curious.

Way cool, Elandil

Utopian way to step to the plate my friend

The Verdict is IN!

First off, Hats off to Utopian whom took the time to test my razor, inspect it with a scope, and then Hone it for no charge - all while his life was upside down with family emergencies, etc. A true gentleman.

Utopian found the edge to be "shave ready" but under a scope "not so good" so he honed her up for me.

I lightly brought the razor against some arm hair and it lopped them off easily. This blade is super sharp!

I found my shave to require more concentration than with my other razors, all of which have a heavier balance and feel (of which I favor heavier grinds). This blade feels light, flexible and whippy, with a very hollow grind.

I found myself using an extremely light hand.

The resluts (2 passes) was a damn fine shave. I don't go for BBS.

Was it my best shave? No. Was it my worst - not even close.

What I learned:

1. A professionally sharp blade is definately easier to shave with.
2. Different Razors require technique and feel adjustments

So the conclusion, I will keep shaving with this razor in my rotation to see how I like her (it's pretty enough to be a she). If she and I don't get along after a few months, then I will look to date another Razor (likely a wedge!).

Thanks again Utopian.

Mike

Glad to hear that everything worked out for you, Elendil.

I am curious though how your razor was "shave ready" yet "not so good" at the same time. Sounds like it wasn't shave ready at all...

Ryan,

I am putting words in his mouth, but to clarify, the razor would shave as it was, but the edge was not up to his standards when inspected under a scope.

Therefore, it was in useable condition, but could have been honed better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elendil

Ryan,

I am putting words in his mouth, but to clarify, the razor would shave as it was, but the edge was not up to his standards when inspected under a scope.

Therefore, it was in useable condition, but could have been honed better.

---

Interesting.... and it was sold to you as "pre-honed" by the vendor?

Yes, the razor was sold pre-honed and was officially pronounced as Shave Ready (confirmed by Utopian's test). He did note that the edge was not fantastic under a scope and could be improved, which he did by honing and stropping for me. This took out any variable leaving the quality of shave mostly in my hands, which will help me work on my technique with this specific razor (and this will be a work in progress).

we have to count in couple factors in here.
Not every single blade will take the edge we would like.
that is why for some people shave ready blade(low quality blade) will not feel like shave ready.
honer can push the edge to curtain degree after that you just have to stop.
i will try to explain a little.
lets say everyone loves Filli's why?
not so many people fan of pakistany blades?

This is the reason.
hope this helps.
gl

I would say that Utopian helped let this razor be all it could be.

The blade did shave better, felt smoother and performed as if it were sharper. I also worked with the technique a bit to try and work with the blade.

I simply am not used to the geometry and feel of this blade in comparison to my other razors.

Today's shave was improved (BBS in some areas). Now working more on technique with this blade, but the keen edge is definately not in question...

I would say that as a newbie, this blade was simply more challenging for me to shave with. A pro hone job certainly helped the shave and boosts confidence.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elendil

Yes, the razor was sold pre-honed and was officially pronounced as Shave Ready (confirmed by Utopian's test). He did note that the edge was not fantastic under a scope and could be improved, which he did by honing and stropping for me. This took out any variable leaving the quality of shave mostly in my hands, which will help me work on my technique with this specific razor (and this will be a work in progress).

---

This was a case of "borderline shave-readiness." I did do a test shave and the razor did shave adequately, but clearly not as well as it could have given the high quality of the razor. I examined the edge under a microscope and then understood the shave. The bevel of a sharp razor should be a single plane on each side, but this razor had multiple bevels that alternately reached the edge. I've seen this before, but I'm not certain how it is accomplished. Regardless, it doesn't make for an optimally honed razor in my opinion.

By the way, that is a beautiful razor and I really appreciate getting to hone razors that I would never buy for myself!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

By the way, that is a beautiful razor and I really appreciate getting to hone razors that I would never buy for myself!

---

Side effect of doing good deeds Ron :rock:

It's great that everything worked out for all parties involved and just goes to show that this site has the best folks on the internet. Way to go utopian!

I think a good word for Elendil should also be put in. For his use of discretion and Gentlemanly behaviour in not wishing to unduely blemish the reputation of vendor or razor brand alike. I commend you for the way you handled your dilemma, and I commend Utopian for his efforts in helping out a fellow member.


Mick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MickR

I think a good word for Elendil should also be put in. For his use of discretion and Gentlemanly behaviour in not wishing to unduely blemish the reputation of vendor or razor brand alike. I commend you for the way you handled your dilemma, and I commend Utopian for his efforts in helping out a fellow member.

Mick

---

:beer1:AMEN brother!! Couldn't have said it better myself!:beer1:

Way to go Ron!!! You the man!!!


___________
The Second Amendment protects ALL of the others.

I had a thought today about the odd criss-crossed faces of the bevels. I suspect that the vendor, who is quite reputable, inadvertently forgot to hone this razor. I bought one from him a couple of years ago and his honing was just fine. I suspect that the multiple bevel faces resulted from preliminary factory sharpening on a wheel and the vendor just put this razor in the wrong pile.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

That is an excellent idea!

I'll volunteer if you'd like. If so, just let me know and I'll send you my address.

---

Way to go!

Not to get off topic, but boy do you put one heckuva an edge on a blade Ron!

And thanks Mick and Shooter for the kind words...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elendil

Not to get off topic, but boy do you put one heckuva an edge on a blade Ron!

And thanks Mick and Shooter for the kind words...

---

Thank you for the compliment.

I do hope that you will give that vendor another chance if you are in the market for another razor. I think that my speculation in the earlier post is quite likely to be correct. That vendor in the past has shown a willingness to re-hone razors messed up by beginners who in their ignorance blamed him for their bad shaves. I am confident that if you had contacted him, he would have gladly re-honed your razor.

I have no ill will towards the vendor, and I would gladly buy from them again. The selection is great. However, I would rather buy the razor without being honed, just because I would prefer to have the edge honed by another honemeister. BTW, this is my second blade from the vendor.

I tip my ballcap to u Ron U always find new ways to show ur true colors,