I would LOVE to be added to this list as I have never used a straight blade (although I have shaved with a knife a few times). Issy
I am getting a straight and strop of my own, when this happens (in a few days) I can Just send you what I have (If it is ok with X-Chris).
I sure hope its ok. I will then have your address to send you a "test" shaving soap that is curing now ( although I did try it already and it is "slick" )
Sweet, talk about money for nothing and your chicks for free. They are Chris' Razors, you should send it to him.
La Pedrera-- YGPM... Are you acquiring your own straights yet? Issy-- I have no problem with adding you to the trial. I have had the kits coming back to me for maintenance to assure some level of consistency in the readiness of the equipment for when the next person receives it (although reading through this thread may bring that into question ). However, I am getting ready to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) from Germany, and will be "offline" for several weeks starting in SEP 07. So, you probably wouldn't get a set that I had refreshed until the beginning of NOV 07. Now, I have no problem with having Will re-route his kit to you if you're willing to accept that the straights' edges may not be fully "shave ready;" however, the razors are apparently performing satisfactorily which would make this a non-issue. If you & Will set it up, just keep me informed for my own awareness of where the stuff is at.
Hey -- YMMV! If it's workin' for ya, then don't let my opinion sway you. If you got the two razors from Bobby, then there is a square & a round point. I will say that the Blue Steel razor has some heft that exudes some confidence in wielding it. Hmm -- so what are you getting? I'm very curious! I'm also a little surprised because of some of your last posts about ADs and maintenance issues. But, I think it's an excellent decision anyway.
Will & Issy, Bobby, Jason-- Reference my post a couple above, I am leaving Germany shortly. When it comes time to return the equipment, contact me first to coordinate for the right address. I will be crossing the country to see family & friends before returning to my new duty station. Good luck with the rest of your trials!
Ding, Ding I am Hooked! I will learn to hone or something. Chris, If the razors go dull, I am sure some members of the forum can put an edge on them.
Yeah, I don't know that I would qualify as a "honemeister" at all, but I can put a pretty decent edge on a razor. If any of you (East Coasters especially) need any of these honed, I would be glad to do it for just the cost of shipping it to me (if Chris is agreeable).
The best shave i've achieved so far comes from holding the bade almost flat against my face, and using way more pressure than it seems like I should. It seems to do the best against the grain. Without the added pressure, I can feel the blade slide across my beard, and not through it. I can see stubble on the razor, and it seems like a good deal, but when I touch my face it seems no different than when I started.
HUMMMMMMMMMM, I am using a slight angle, no pressure, and just nice even stroks. How is your skin streaching? Are you hearing a Chop Chop sound?
Bobby-- I'm thinking along the same lines as Will -- maybe you're not stretching enough. What angles have you tried? I was going to suggest we go from horizontal (90 deg.) up to vertical (0 deg.), before your last post, to figure out where the cutting is happening best for you. Are you using long single strokes, or shorter mulitple strokes for the shave? Is there any tugging or pulling associated with the cutting action, or is it just simply sliding over the hairs? Perhaps the razor edges are too polished (possible -- but improbable?) for your hair/skin, and that is the reason for not cutting? Maybe try just using the canvas side of the strop only then shave -- see if that makes a difference. Blair-- I'm amicable to getting asssitance to the guys however it is offered. :happy088
Chris, I've used straight 90 degrees, and still can't get anything. I'm using long strokes. When I shave it sounds like the hairs are popping up behind the razor, and use I get a good amount of dragging. It seems my first pass removes a small amount of hair, yet the second doesn't remove any.
OK -- try using just the canvas side of the strop only to see if that helps "roughen" [ make it coarser] the edge and improve the cutting performance. Right now it is either that the razors are not sharp enough, or they are possibly to polished to cut well for you. May need to take up Raf's or Blair's offer to re-hone them.
I updated the first post to reflect the addition of Issy into the trial! Will hooked him up with the set he had, and Will is now using his own straights! :happy096 So, Issy, I hope you have a fun time with the kit! Please feel free to post your experiences and questions here in the thread (or in SoS) as you go. Bobby & Jason-- What's the latest for you guys?
Still using them about once or twice a week (as time permits) but I'm getting faster, and probably will be able to approach daily "normal" shaving times if I keep at it. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to use these straights, and I plan on picking up my own set of razor, strop, etc. It has turned out to be a nice change of pace for me. So again, thanks for including me!! :: Still quite surprised at the amount of "push" I have to use with a straight... I guess I'm somewhat used to the Feather ACD-N ultra-super-totally-light pressure. It's all good... just surprising.
Jason-- Great -- seems your learning curve is realy improving! Glad to hear that you're gonna pick it up more frequently as well. I'm glad I could make the stuff available for you to try out. As for the difference in the trads. vs. the ACD-N, I think a razor honed by a true honemeister will close that gap some for you (keep that in mind).
Just got them today, took a good while longer but I got a pretty close shave 1st shot....cant wait tp try again. Only 1 nick ( although I have a goatee so I guess I dont have to hit the harder spots) Issy
