Thread: sorta lost...help?

Originally Posted by Sjsowa

DO NOT USE BLEACH ON STAINLESS!!! I have worked in the swimming pool industry for over 30 years, and we use a lot of stainless steel around pools. There is some steel in stainless steel. What makes it stainless is the nickel that is added to the steel. When you expose stainless to a low pH product, such as bleach, it will bring out the carbon from the steel and stain it black. It can be removed, but it is very difficult. I'm not an expert by any means on straight razors, but my thought process says the bleach ruined the edge.

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, my leaving the carbon steel razors immersed in bleach for a period of time certainly did effect the blades as you say. OTH I have lightly wiped down both carbon and stainless blades and immediately rinsed them clean with water with no ill effect. That prolonged exposure to bleach will badly effect the blades I have no doubt.

Bob

sorry i havent responded for a bit, ive been trying some different stuff.

basically the edge has gotten a bit smoother,i applied some green chrome ox to my felt side (maybe this was the culprit because my leather side is cupping.... and nicked) and stropped till i got bored. so now im only doing about 20-30 strokes, probably.. im still noticing a bit of irritation from mainly going atg. a few things ive dont to help this is, i do two wtg passes, and use a "buffing" technique. for all my passes im trying to pay attention to my pressure, or lack there of. im playing around with my water temps.... a couple of passes with warm water, and the final with cold.

mainly im left with two issues. atg does still cause some irritation so ill probably try to get some glycerine and cream and work on my lather... usually i have a thick creamy lather, but im not sure if it should be a bit wetter and "slippery" lol

and my last issue... im getting a really really close shave, even atg feels smooth in a lot of spots, even my neck which is amazing to me. but if i look really close its like the stubble stands out more so i feel like it doesnt LOOK smooth but it is.
any ideas why maybe im seeing the stubble more, almost like its not a good clean shave.

again thanks for the input guys and again sorry for the late response, i just wanted to try a lot of things out.

To be honest with you, if this was my razor, I would send it out to be honed and start over. This way you can start to figure out what's working and what's not. The more known variables you can control the easier it will be.

i'd almost agree with that, but the last time i sent out my razor i had to buy a new one......

Where are you located? There may be someone nearby who can help.

Send it out insured for 3 times the value. Someday you may wind up with a collection of sharp razors. Or buy one from the classifieds here and get it ready to go.

Originally Posted by panamapete

i'd almost agree with that, but the last time i sent out my razor i had to buy a new one......

Then send it to somebody reputable. Send it to SRD or The Restored Razor - Straight Razor Shaving

Mike does a great job and I know him personally.

Yea, either get your blade honed by a reputable honer and there are many associated with this site or get a second razor that is shave ready. I have bought a couple used razors from the classifieds here and they were very shave ready. That way you will start from a known point of reference, a sharp razor.

Bob

just an update, got some strops from Euclid440 and another razor honed by him. i put the razor (that i was having issues with earlier on in this thread) on his cbn strops........ WOW..... simply WOW.... ive found that my only two issues are skin stretching and pressure and maybe some post care... two days ago i was able to go cleanly atg on my neck and had no irritation. this is a big one for me because my neck seemd to always get irritated pretty bad and i still didnt have that clean of a shave.. i usually do jiu jitsu a few days a week and as soon as anyone touched my neck i would almost get brought to tears it hurt so bad.... i rolled tonight, and it was not an issue.

at this point i cant really say anything that would want me to improve... i know i need to watch my pressure ,finally able to go atg with no pressure and get an incredibly smooth shave, i did miss a little in few spots but i was scared of irritation so i let some very minor stubble go...

the razor i purchased off craigslist (my TI) im not sure what it was honed too.... but i will "almost" compare to being as equally or slightly better shave then my other razor that Euclid440 honed up to 12k and thurigan finish stone (whatever that is lol) it may be because im just really partial to this TI but i was really surprised i was able to get it as sharp.... i probably should use the other razor more and see if i can improve the "smoothness" of the shave....

but basically what im saying is everything i thought about using straight razor is now happening... couldnt be happier with the results!