Thread: straight is catching

Just a little hint ... For you and the other 3 newbs I saw say the exact same thing in two different threads...

You do not really want to be polishing a Honed "Shave Ready" razor, kinda defeats the whole purpose ..

Polish then hone,,

But then again they are your blades and your face

First off, to contribute to the thread: I'm a noob at this, but I've found when my razor is "catching" it's usually too much pressure and not a flat enough angle. Part of the fun of this has been learning to move the razor across the skin with authority, without pushing down on it at all.

Second; I know it's hard to tell on the internet, so let me start off saying I am not being in any way sacastic, or trying to be a pain in the rear. What about the razor Chreees posted a picture of makes it a piece of junk? I mean obviously if you're a collector it's not exactlly in pristine shape finish wise. They're not represented as "flawless" cosmetically. I tried going this route and I received a Puma in much the same shape as the one Chreees posted. If we figure the honing was $25 and the shipping was $5, it means I paid $11 for the razor. But, like I said, I'm a noob. I have been patiently shaving with it for a couple of weeks now, getting better everyday, but I don't have anything to compare it to. Am I trying to learn with junk?

What I can tell about Larry's operation is that its all about the turn around for the new guys looking to get into this type of shaving. He tries to get "newbies" a razor quickly so they can see if they like it before buying something more expensive. And considering the amount of business he has, Im sure he cant shave test every razor he sends out. So there could be some quality control issues in that respect, but that certainly doesnt mean they are junk. I've bought a razor from Larry before and it was a beautiful example of a small Bengall blade. I mean it truly was gorgeous. However, I went to his house and hand picked the blade I wanted. Having talked to him about how he gets his razors, most are e-Bay wins and he said that he pays no more then about $5 per razor.

Now, Im not saying that you are trying to learn with a "junk" razor, but I will tell you from experience that the difference between a cheap razor and more expensive new razor. However, there is a place for the cheap razor in that its easier to learn alot of stuff about SR shaving with a cheap razor that you're not as worried about breaking.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just a little hint ... For you and the other 3 newbs I saw say the exact same thing in two different threads...

You do not really want to be polishing a Honed "Shave Ready" razor, kinda defeats the whole purpose ..

Polish then hone,,

But then again they are your blades and your face

thanks for the advice what I've been doing to remove rust up to now is using olive oil and a micro fiber wrag with some very careful elbow grease. any other options come to mind for rust?

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

thanks for the advice what I've been doing to remove rust up to now is using olive oil and a micro fiber wrag with some very careful elbow grease. any other options come to mind for rust?

Tons, but none for a Shave Ready edge

Heck you gotta be careful with just wiping the razor after shaving, so you don't wreck the fine edge that is really there,,

I would just keep the razor oiled well, until it is time to re-hone THEN decide what you want to do with the looks, clean it up or whatever you decide on and finally after you have taken it as far as you want, or the razor can give, have it Honed or Hone it yourself...

sounds like a plan thanks.

gives me plenty of time to plan. i think I'm going to be having the wedge fixed up soon anyways now that i have another straight and two des.

Originally Posted by Java

First off, to contribute to the thread: I'm a noob at this, but I've found when my razor is "catching" it's usually too much pressure and not a flat enough angle. Part of the fun of this has been learning to move the razor across the skin with authority, without pushing down on it at all.

Second; I know it's hard to tell on the internet, so let me start off saying I am not being in any way sacastic, or trying to be a pain in the rear. What about the razor Chreees posted a picture of makes it a piece of junk? I mean obviously if you're a collector it's not exactlly in pristine shape finish wise. They're not represented as "flawless" cosmetically. I tried going this route and I received a Puma in much the same shape as the one Chreees posted. If we figure the honing was $25 and the shipping was $5, it means I paid $11 for the razor. But, like I said, I'm a noob. I have been patiently shaving with it for a couple of weeks now, getting better everyday, but I don't have anything to compare it to. Am I trying to learn with junk?

Well said. Bruno says my razor is a piece of junk... I'd like to know why as well. Just because of some black rust on the blade? I don't really think that constitutes calling it a piece of junk. The razor shaves great.

Now does that mean I'm happy I own a razor with rust on it? No... And I've actually been considering emailing Larry about it, asking for a return. Because I do not exactly feel it is a representation of the sight unseen pictures on his site (read the last line on the product page). Really I feel like this razor should have been sold as a "with flaws" sight unseen... But I digress.

I do want to stress that Larry is an awesome guy to communicate with, and I really love his customer service. I just feel I should not have received this razor with black rust for the price I paid, sight unseen or not. I will order other items from Larry in the future, except for sight unseen razors.

Originally Posted by Java

What about the razor Chreees posted a picture of makes it a piece of junk? I mean obviously if you're a collector it's not exactlly in pristine shape finish wise. They're not represented as "flawless" cosmetically. I tried going this route and I received a Puma in much the same shape as the one Chreees posted. If we figure the honing was $25 and the shipping was $5, it means I paid $11 for the razor. But, like I said, I'm a noob. I have been patiently shaving with it for a couple of weeks now, getting better everyday, but I don't have anything to compare it to. Am I trying to learn with junk?

I am shaving with a Puma at the moment, onto my 7th consecutive shave with it, it's no beauty queen, but gives a great shave, so, no you aren't shaving with junk. From a collectors point of view, probably not worth alot, it seems most hollows that are well loved have hone wear on the toe. I am no expert, but i don't think that effects the shave you get, just the value. An old time barber wouldn't have ditched his favorite razor because of hone wear, and you can bet your boots he never even contemplated taping the spine. I think the whipped dog deal is a good thing for the community. Most problems i see from anyone here under 20 shaves are caused by human error, including myself.

Originally Posted by Chreees

Well said. Bruno says my razor is a piece of junk... I'd like to know why as well. Just because of some black rust on the blade? I don't really think that constitutes calling it a piece of junk. The razor shaves great.

Any rust near the edge or spine can embed into your strop. No big deal with a $10 piece of scrap leather but it's not gonna touch any of my strops.

Your razor looks serviceable from a honing P.O.V. but a basically 'disposable' straight razor at $40 may have faults, that should you wish to repair & future proof, could cost you near the same again. Then a new $80 - $100 razor starts to look pretty good unless of course you can do the work yourself.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Any rust near the edge or spine can embed into your strop. No big deal with a $10 piece of scrap leather but it's not gonna touch any of my strops.

Your razor looks serviceable from a honing P.O.V. but a basically 'disposable' straight razor at $40 may have faults, that should you wish to repair & future proof, could cost you near the same again. Then a new $80 - $100 razor starts to look pretty good unless of course you can do the work yourself.

Great... I definitely don't want to mess up my only good strop with embedding rust into it. There's definitely black rust on the spine, but not on the edge... Now you guys have me definitely wanting to return this thing.