Razor doesn't seem to like me.

I have been using three different razors. A new Boker hollow ground, a Feather no sharpen and an old restored William Elliot razor I bought from the classified section of this forum. I just sold the Feather on eBay, it cut or irritated me ever time I used it, it was just too harsh. I really like the way the William Elliot shaves, it seems very sharp and smooth, a great shaver. I don't get the same result from the new Boker. I bought it from SRD so it came well honed and shave ready. I have never liked the way the Boker shaves, it has always felt dull to me. I guess my question is, do some razors just not work for some people but ok for others.

Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum. I don't know how to move it.

Moved to the SR forum :)

To answer though

The technical answer is Yes however that is not quite all the story.
The one thing that actually makes SR shaving so good is that fact of all the variables except how the razor was made (and some even do that) are adjustable..
This is a strong point and a weakness in SR shaving, all those variables let you adjust the shave to your face from angle, pressure, hones, strops, grind etc: etc: All these things allow you to tweak in the perfect shave for your face.. :) The weakness becomes apparent when you are trying to figure out which of those is off when you are missing the optimum shave.. :(

Make sure you try and adjust some of those variables before you give up on a razor

Thanks. I'll try changing one thing a a time. Maybe I can figure it out.

A razor is really just a sharp edge. I've always felt if the razor was proper sharp it should shave well and comfortable. I think where people have the trouble is what is attached to the edge meaning balance, scales, size, grind. Those factors cause them to use a particular razor a bit different which makes them feel like the razor is different and doesn't like them.

At least that's what I've found from personal experience.

Since you have one razor that works well, you know what "sharp" means. Believe your own skin.

Try giving the Boker a really thorough stropping -- "until your arm gets tired" would be a good number of strokes. If you want to go to the next step, 5 to 10 laps on 0.5 micron CrOxide on a pasted strop might smooth out the edge without destroying SRD's work.

Charles

PS -- previous comments assume the problem is _you_ -- but it might be the razor . . .

rkw, Might need to add razor grind and beard type. I'm guessing the William Elliot is a thicker heavier razor. I know that my beard type just doesn't take all that well to hollow grinds. A heavier blade feels sharper and shaves smoother for me. When I use a hollow or extra hollow it always feels like it grabs and wants to dig in, where the heavier blade just moves on. The sharpness is there, but blade gives a little and the heavier grinds don't. You may still need a touchup on your Boker, but the grind may also be a factor.

Regards,

Howard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SirStropalot

rkw, Might need to add razor grind and beard type. I'm guessing the William Elliot is a thicker heavier razor. I know that my beard type just doesn't take all that well to hollow grinds. A heavier blade feels sharper and shaves smoother for me. When I use a hollow or extra hollow it always feels like it grabs and wants to dig in, where the heavier blade just moves on. The sharpness is there, but blade gives a little and the heavier grinds don't. You may still need a touchup on your Boker, but the grind may also be a factor.

Regards,

Howard

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I wonder if that might be the problem. That describes how the blade feels to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rkw216

I wonder if that might be the problem. That describes how the blade feels to me.

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It may not be the whole problem, but it could be some of it. I'd get the razor honed by one of the vendors and then try it without stropping or anything and see if you still experience it to the same degree. If it changes you can pretty much determine if it is, isn't, or could be. I'm counting on your technique being pretty good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SirStropalot

It may not be the whole problem, but it could be some of it. I'd get the razor honed by one of the vendors and then try it without stropping or anything and see if you still experience it to the same degree. If it changes you can pretty much determine if it is, isn't, or could be. I'm counting on your technique being pretty good.

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Well, I am fairly new at this, my technique is probably what's wrong.

Hey, that's where we all start. If your Elliot is working well for you, perfect your technique with it. In the mean time you might still want to get the Boker rehoned. You should have an SRD free honing certificate. When you get it back, hold it in reserve and when you think you're ready, give it another shot. Don't strop it first!

Regards,

Howard

I'm a little confused as you indicated you honed the Boker on a 6K and Chinese 12K and it was nice????

In any case, the Boker is a light feeling razor and you need to be pretty vertical with it when using. Personal preference for the feel of razor will play a big part in what you like and what feels good to you as has already been indicated by several of the guys.

Have fun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rkw216

I have been using three different razors. A new Boker hollow ground, a Feather no sharpen and an old restored William Elliot razor I bought from the classified section of this forum. I just sold the Feather on eBay, it cut or irritated me ever time I used it, it was just too harsh. I really like the way the William Elliot shaves, it seems very sharp and smooth, a great shaver. I don't get the same result from the new Boker. I bought it from SRD so it came well honed and shave ready. I have never liked the way the Boker shaves, it has always felt dull to me. I guess my question is, do some razors just not work for some people but ok for others.

Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum. I don't know how to move it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

I'm a little confused as you indicated you honed the Boker on a 6K and Chinese 12K and it was nice????

In any case, the Boker is a light feeling razor and you need to be pretty vertical with it when using. Personal preference for the feel of razor will play a big part in what you like and what feels good to you as has already been indicated by several of the guys.

Have fun

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Lynn, I guess what I'm trying to figure out is why two very sharp razors feel so different to me. I'm starting to think I just prefer one grind over the other. Or more likely I just haven't learned to use the Boker the correct way yet. When I honed it it felt better but still not as good. I may be messing it up on the strop.
I got into this for the challenge so I'll keep at it until I figure it out.

First let say thank you very much to all that replied. Especially Lynn and Charles. As they pointed out I have a high quality, sharp razor. So why can't I shave with it? It made me think of when I was a kid working for my Dad, I was swearing at the nails I kept bending trying to drive them in. Dad said "it isn't the nail it's the guy swinging the hammer". So this morning I did my normal prep work and looked at my old lathered up face in the mirror and said to myself "you are looking at the problem". Picked up the Boker and started shaving. Everytime it started to pull or drag I stopped and looked at exactly what I was doing. Then I would change the angle, how I was holding the razor or how I was moving it until it worked. I have to admit it wasn't the nail or razor but the dummy who was using it. I ended up getting a very comfortable and close shave.
There is a lot to learn about this hobby and this forum is a great resource. I would recommend that all beginners spend some time absorbing the knowledge available in the forums.
Thanks again.
Randy