How are your trials going? I see, at least, that you're still trying to use the equipment by reading your SoS entries. Has the advise given by all helped? Are you still having the same problems, or any new ones show up? I do hope each of you is getting some learning or enjoyment out of this project.
I LOVE SHAVING WITH A STR8. But I don't think I want a new AD under my belt and I would probably hate the up keep on one. (I can fell the W&B getting slugish allready). Pro, it is fun! Con, hard to do. I will probably look in to a DOVO "Shavette" or a Feather AC. After that who knows.
+1 on all counts. It's a blast, and I can't thank you enough for organizing this and putting it all together for me (us). It's a wonderful opportunity to try something I never thought I'd be doing in a million years. I definitely know that I need to practice, practice, practice on my stropping. Maybe I need to pick up an old beater straight razor to learn on, and I'm surprised that I have to use a bit of pressure... I'm sort of used to my Feather ACD-N straight, which takes the lightest touch I've ever had to use. Still lots of pulling and tugging with the 4/8 and the 6/8 both... even on my cheeks... but I'm getting there!!!!
I agree with you Will....its fun....but damn....after i started using the DE i thought......St8's are alot of work.....and im not even into the honing aspect yet.
OK -- good to hear it's going well for the both of you (I hope Bobby is fairing okay too). I will say that some of the problems with the pulling are probably due to my skill in honing. I am not a honemeister by any means, and I'm beginng to think that I have a lighter and/or less dense beard than others; I get away with a less than superb edge for shaving apparently. Once I get settled after moving, I'm going to focus on improving my technique and equipment options I think.
I just can't get this to work for me. I've stropped for what seems forever, and I just can't get the blades to cut anything well enough to consider shaved. I honestly have no idea where my flaw is...
Maybe we could send them out to a honestar and see if that helps, if it dosen't at least XC will not have to hone his razors for a bit.
This is possible. If you stroped for a long time and your technique was off this can very well dull the edge. At this point I can only suggest the razor be honed again. I can do it if this is ok with Chris. Raf
Yeah, it's all good with me (as long as I get the equipment back in the end). Whatever it takes to get you guys rolling -- swap blades, send to a honemeister, etc.
You know......as far as sharpening is concerned....i think a wedge is much better than a hallow ground...
I figure that out once I tried the new ones. At the rate i'm going, it would take 10+ passes to get a clean "work passable" shave. Obviously my face can't take that. I've been doing two passes with the straight, and finishing up with the de. I'm hoping I figure out what i'm missing by repetition.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a bad go of it, Bobby. On the other hand, I'm relieved to read that my honing wasn't the "death" of this round. Hopefully, you're still getting something out of the experience. Could you explain how you're shaving for those two passes? I'd like to see if we can help solve your issue with the cutting action. Will-- How are the hollow grinds working out for you? What's your take on the differences in grinds? Which one(s) do you prefer from this limited selection that you've tried?
The Blue Steel Carl Schmit 5/8 Square point = the greatest shave on earth. I used it last night around 7pm, just now getting 5 o'clock shadow.
Watch that spike point! First time I shaved with it, I had several red vertical lines going down my neck! I also like the size of it -- 6/8 -- which is the smaller end of my [usual] scale for blade preference. Apparently you're getting the hang of shaving with the straights. Did you find the handling of the razors different with the various grinds? Sometimes the wedges seem like bulldozers compared to a sports car in the hollow grinds.
