Using different razors in the same shave

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08-09-2011, 11:10 AM
Mastershake

Using different razors in the same shave

I am in the military so I shave daily, my facial hair (and back hair unfortunately) grow like a dry grass fire so I have alot to shave every morning!
I started restoring razors and sometimes have a couple I want to test the edge on in the morning.
This can make for an unpleasant shaving experience. I went from a full hollow that I got the edge right on to a 1840 wedge that I didn't and it wasn't at all pleasing to the face!
I learned my lesson and will only try one unknown blade per morning from now on, I'm sure honemeisters learned this lesson early in their trade also. Just wanted to share.
08-09-2011, 05:09 PM
Geezer

Aha,,I have found the same fun when trying that. I have found a less than perfect bevel to shave one side of my face better than the other. So at least shaving with only one blade I can check the results more easily!
08-09-2011, 05:52 PM
Hogrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastershake

I am in the military so I shave daily, my facial hair (and back hair unfortunately) grow like a dry grass fire so I have alot to shave every morning!
I started restoring razors and sometimes have a couple I want to test the edge on in the morning.
This can make for an unpleasant shaving experience. I went from a full hollow that I got the edge right on to a 1840 wedge that I didn't and it wasn't at all pleasing to the face!
I learned my lesson and will only try one unknown blade per morning from now on, I'm sure honemeisters learned this lesson early in their trade also. Just wanted to share.

It was your goal to test the edge, right? I have tested three razors in the same shave and one of them felt as if I was shaving with the jagged lid of a can; this told me that I did a bum job polishing/refining the edge. Remember the ultimate test is the shave itself. HOG
08-09-2011, 05:57 PM
Blix

I shaved using three different razors a few days ago, as I was sending them out.
I will not sell a non shave-ready razor! :)
Turned out fine for me.
08-09-2011, 06:02 PM
Birnando

I do this quite often too.
Basically, it is to ensure that the razors I am honing for friends and acquaintances are shave ready before I send them back to their owners.
I think I tested 5 or 6 at one time once. Not my most pleasant half hour in the bathroom, but at least I got them tested.
When honing my own stuff, I do not try more than one at the time.
Half the point of wet shaving is the zen of it, so I need to focus on just one blade, and enjoy that:)
08-09-2011, 09:47 PM
Pabster

Getting to know your straight razor takes a little time and I find it enjoyable as each one has its own nuance. The experience only adds to one's knowledge.

Pabster
08-10-2011, 02:59 AM
Ryan82

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezer

I have found a less than perfect bevel to shave one side of my face better than the other.

Ah, but is it the bevel, or your shave technique? Mostly it is the latter, especially when shaving ambidexteriously. For some reason many find their faces are smoother on one side or another when shaving with both hands.

What is it that makes you think it is the bevel?
08-10-2011, 08:12 AM
HNSB

When I was doing more honing I would shave test multiple razors in one session quite often. If one would tug I would immediately put it on the reject side of the counter and continue shaving with the others. I never dragged a razor that needed more work more than a fraction of an inch across my face.
08-10-2011, 10:28 AM
Mastershake

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNSB

When I was doing more honing I would shave test multiple razors in one session quite often. If one would tug I would immediately put it on the reject side of the counter and continue shaving with the others. I never dragged a razor that needed more work more than a fraction of an inch across my face.

Yes, I agree. I just had to learn it the painful way. I had the same problem this morning with the same razor again but I stopped alot earlier. I don't know why this one won't hone up. It is the fattest wedge I've attempted to hone, any tips from the pros?
08-10-2011, 10:52 AM
Hogrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastershake

Yes, I agree. I just had to learn it the painful way. I had the same problem this morning with the same razor again but I stopped alot earlier. I don't know why this one won't hone up. It is the fattest wedge I've attempted to hone, any tips from the pros?

If the razor is tugging; the bevel is not set right (I am assuming is not your technique and you have prep your face for the shave) Go back set the bevel, test the entire lenght of the blade and try to shave arm hair. BTW, what hone(s) are you using to set the bevel?HOG
08-10-2011, 02:47 PM
Mastershake

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogrider

If the razor is tugging; the bevel is not set right (I am assuming is not your technique and you have prep your face for the shave) Go back set the bevel, test the entire lenght of the blade and try to shave arm hair. BTW, what hone(s) are you using to set the bevel?HOG

I have a 800/4000 grit stone and then I go to a suede paddle strop. All my other razors have come out fine, this one is just hassling me. I am not using any tape on the spine should I?
08-10-2011, 04:46 PM
Hogrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastershake

I have a 800/4000 grit stone and then I go to a suede paddle strop. All my other razors have come out fine, this one is just hassling me. I am not using any tape on the spine should I?

Wow! No wonder the shaves feel rough on the face; you need a finisher stone. The 800 grit to set the bevel is fine (though I use a 1K Naniwa with slurry) and the 4K grit to follow is fine as well; but you are missing the intermediate and finishing stones. Since you are using synthetics (Norton?) I would recommend an 8K grit Norton to follow the 4K grit. As for the finisher there are a whole bunch to choose from....Naniwas 10K or 12K; or the C12K chinese stone which is very economical or naturals: coticules, Jnats, Thuringians, etc, etc. As for taping the spine, there is a lot of controversy on that subject; my personal preference is to tape the spine all the way through and even when I strop after I hone. HOG
08-10-2011, 04:58 PM
hoglahoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastershake

I have a 800/4000 grit stone

Do you mean a combination hone rated 4000 one side and 8000 the other?
08-10-2011, 05:13 PM
Mastershake

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Do you mean a combination hone rated 4000 one side and 8000 the other?

800 on one side 4000 on the other.
08-10-2011, 05:14 PM
Mastershake

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogrider

Wow! No wonder the shaves feel rough on the face; you need a finisher stone. The 800 grit to set the bevel is fine (though I use a 1K Naniwa with slurry) and the 4K grit to follow is fine as well; but you are missing the intermediate and finishing stones. Since you are using synthetics (Norton?) I would recommend an 8K grit Norton to follow the 4K grit. As for the finisher there are a whole bunch to choose from....Naniwas 10K or 12K; or the C12K chinese stone which is very economical or naturals: coticules, Jnats, Thuringians, etc, etc. As for taping the spine, there is a lot of controversy on that subject; my personal preference is to tape the spine all the way through and even when I strop after I hone. HOG

Thanks for the tips, I will have to get some finer stones.
08-10-2011, 05:14 PM
Theseus

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Do you mean a combination hone rated 4000 one side and 8000 the other?

It could be one of the King combo stones. They have a 800/4000 combo.
08-10-2011, 05:15 PM
Mastershake

Bingo Theseus!