Getting an OK shave with my SE... what next?

[Doodle]

Hey all!

Been shaving with a SE for a little bit now, and I'm getting a good shave, however, I think the blade is now dulling (I strop on leather after each shave) as I have been using it for just over 6 months now.

Im about ready to buy a new blade anyways, so I'm wondering if its worthwhile looking into how to hone a blade etc.

Can anybody point me in a good direction about hones, there seems to be a LOT of conflicting opinions out there! :lol:

As a point of info, I'm UK based, so that may affect the products I can get??

my pre-shave prep is currently just a shower, face wash, lather using a shaving cream, then shave. Should I add anything? I'm getting an acceptable shave, but its not significantly better than I got with cartridges, and they are quite a lot faster! :lol:

Post shave, I just use a simple moisturiser

Cheers for any help! :thumbup:

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

I am unsure on where to send you for a SE blade but I would think that a honemeister would have a good idea or someone who uses the SE... My guess would be that you probably need a stone such as a barber hone to keep the edge sharp and then stropping.

[DustMite]

Ok, I'm confused now. :001_huh:
You want to strop and hone the disposable razor blades in a Single Edge razor like a Gem, Star, Ever REady?

The Single Edge disposable blades are cheap enough and found at stores like Walgreen's, Rite-Aid, CVS pharmacies.

Do you mean an SE (single edge) razor or do you really mean a straight razor (like the kind you find at a barber shop, the hack-and-slash type razor)?

Single Edge example: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/images/d/dc/Contour_II_Front.JPG

Straight Razor example: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/images/6/6b/Straight_razor_labels.jpg (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Straight_Razors)

[Doodle]

ahhh, yes, i mean a straight edge, my bad :blushing:

I had thought that a single edge was the same...

[Luc]

ahhh, yes, i mean a straight edge, my bad :blushing:

I had thought that a single edge was the same...

Do you have any pictures of the straight?

If you need to have it honed, look here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Honemeister

If you want to do it yourself, I would start by buying a barber hone and see where it gets you. While you are looking for a barber hone, I would strongly recommend to get a jeweler loupe or microscope to look at the edge.

[Doodle]

Thanks for the advice.

I have been having a look around and have seen some well priced hones on theinvisibleedge.com and I was wondering if you could tell me if they're any good, or will I need extra stuff with it?

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/razorhones.html

I am mainly looking at the cheaper ones at the bottom, either the BBW or the Chinese 12k

Also, I have read in techniques that its a good idea to have a pasted strop? if so, which pastes are best for a beginner etc?

Thanks again! =D

(NB. I am also going to post this in the Honing section in case thats more appropriate)

[Luc]

Thanks for the advice.

I have been having a look around and have seen some well priced hones on theinvisibleedge.com and I was wondering if you could tell me if they're any good, or will I need extra stuff with it?

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/razorhones.html

I am mainly looking at the cheaper ones at the bottom, either the BBW or the Chinese 12k

Also, I have read in techniques that its a good idea to have a pasted strop? if so, which pastes are best for a beginner etc?

Thanks again! =D

(NB. I am also going to post this in the Honing section in case thats more appropriate)

The Chinese 12k is quite impressive IMO for what you pay. I think it's a good step up to a Barber hone. I heard good things about them but again, you might get a good or a bad Chinese 12k as they are a natural stone and not all made the same. A synthetic stone like a barber hone is more "stable" in the process...

If I would have to pick one vs. the other, I would go with Chinese 12k because I prefer the finish on natural stones.

[mretzloff]

Welcome to Badger & Blade!

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!