Thread: 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

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

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

Originally Posted by rkw216

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

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.

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.

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