Thread: Great shave with an old razor

Shaved with my "Olde English" stub-tail today - it is a cast steel razor, so it is pretty old, I would guess. Anyway, it shaved great, and I was particularly pleased since I honed it myself from the sharpness of a butter knife to something you can shave with. Did the whole schmeer - WTG, XTG and ATG, only minor irritation. Yay. Been shaving with straights only for about 6 months now, I'll never go back. I used Fitjar "West Indies" soap, and finished with Razorock Alum block, Witch Hazel, and Razorock "888" aftershave wax..

Nothing like honing up a very old, dull straight and getting a great shave out of it. I'm sure the razor would thank you if it could.

Congrats Dave!

There is a lot to be said for the personal satisfaction of doing it yourself. It just makes the whole process more satisfying.

Post a pic of the razor if you get a chance. There is a special place in my heart for using vintage blades, and there are not many pics of the old stub tails.

All the ones that I have honed myself have given me a 'kiss' for bringing them back to usefulness.
Glad to hear of your success - if you can, put that one away for 6 months or so and use it again - you'll be surprised at how your technique has improved and how that one no longer feels as sharp.
Great job - well done

Nice Dave! It is very satisfying when you do the honing and have a great shave.

I'll try and post a pic of the razor, maybe this weekend - weekdays are crazy busy... I would love to get estimates of its age, and maybe I'll qualify for the stub tail group!