What Straight Razor Did You Use Today?

Jolly Rodgers & Sons……for a very smooth evening shave! After using the noisy full-hollow Tortolani the other day, this razor was comparatively dead-quiet and yet highly efficient at mowing down whiskers.

 

Filarmonic 14 Sub Cero

 

My Champlin was on duty again this morning. It's early days still obviously, but I'm enjoying my shaves with the slightly larger 6/8. The lil' bit of extra weight feels good in the hand and the broader blade feels good on the face.

 

Dubl Duck Goldedge

 

It's funny, Chris, but I've noticed when I use a larger straight (6/8 or bigger) for several days, and then go back the a 4/4 or 5/8, I find the smaller blades considerably faster and easier to use. Not that I am in any rush, but smaller blades I find easier to navigate and so am more inclined to zip right though a 3-pass shave in about 2/3s the time I take with a larger blade. However, I do enjoy using the big blades (the weight and feel), so if it takes a little longer, I'm okay with that….

 

5/8 Kropp
Maggard's SS
homemade boar
Fine shave this morning.

 

Mastro Livi full hollow 9/8

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Wow, Jamie, moving on up. Beautiful What are the scales made of and does the pin have a washer and cap? I think this is the best-looking Mastro Livi razor I've seen posted.

 

Wade & Butcher Bow

 

Not one of mine to be honest Robert this one came in for honing so I couldn't resist to be honest I call it Honers perks. anyway I'm no fan of Livi razors to be honest I've honed quite a few, the shave was top notch the negatives out way the positives for me I don't like the scales the free hand jimping on the tang is another design element I dislike and this must be the most awkward razor I've ever stropped, and to top it off putting your signature right across the front of the blade is an absolute no no I wouldn't trade a single razor I own for any Mastro Livi razor I've seen.

 

After reading your comments, Jamie, I don't feel so put out about my not being able to ever afford one...

 

C-MON Special...I have yet to have a less-than-stellar shaving experience with this razor. I really am enjoying using this one....

 

Thiers-Issard 7/8 ebony wood scales

Fendrihan in Ontario, Canada shipped me this new razor on Monday and I picked it up at the Durham, NC UPS hub today. Fast shipping. I decided to try a test shave with the factory edge. The edge shaved hair at skin level and popped hair halfway, so I thought I wouldn't need to re-hone.

I got a good shave but with two ATG passes after a WTG and XTG pass, my face and neck didn't feel smooth going ATG. Passable but not perfect. The razor edge feels good. The steel is Carbonsong C135, T-I's latest steel. It feels heavy for a modern razor. I'll have to get used to the balance. I think a heavier set of scales might help.

After the shave I re-honed on lapping film, re-establishing the bevel on 30/15/12 micron film and continuing with 9, 5, 3, 1, 0.3 micron film. I finished by stropping on linen and leather. I'll test it again on Friday or Saturday. I really like the heft of the blade and think it will be a good addition to my razor collection.

 

Hi Robert you will find the TI C135 steel quite a bit harder than most steels.

 

I've noticed that as well as the heft. My modern Dovo and Suzumasa razors are all light weights and so I assumed all modern razors would be as compared to my many vintage razors.

It's definitely not like honing a Dubl Duck or Case, but more like trying to hone a stainless steel razor or like my Parker razor. Much more honing time. We'll see what my results are.

 

6/8 Hoffritz
Maggard's SS
homemade pure brush
Very nice shave this morning. It's been a rough week, I just hope it's over and doesn't continue through the weekend.

 

The Garland 5/8 this morning.

My hand dexterity is slowly improving and today I had the first really satisfying results from ATG passes up my neck. The whiskers below my goatee have been the tricky bit and it seems a very shallow angle is key there for me.

Steve, here's to a better weekend! (and a better day Friday come to that)

 

I've discovered you can make all the shave pass directions more shallow than is usually touted, but especially going XTG and almost flat going against the grain.

 

Imperial Razor warranted Barbers Favorite

 

Thiers-Issard
My re-honing did the trick. I got a very nice shave today and for some reason the unbalanced feel in my hand was absent this morning.