First, I'm new to straight razor shaving. A vet with DE but not straights.
I bought a Thiers-Issard 5/8 full hollow carbon steel through Art of Shaving. Beautiful razor:
Problem is, they said it was shave ready...it wasn't. My grandmother could pluck out my whiskers 1 by 1 without her glasses with better proficiency. So I bought the norton 4000/8000. Set the bevel with probably 200 passes each way on 4000. Then moved to the 8000. Now don't get me wrong, I'm willing to be patient with this thing but I've easily made 500 passes each way on the 8000 side and it's still tugging like an old ford super duty. It's sharper, don't get me wrong. But I could still get a better shave with a cartridge. This is not what I want.
Technique: making mild, diagnal passes with little to no pressure. At a reasonable speed, not to slow, not to fast. And, I figure it's safer for a newb such as myself on the 8000 side. Less metal being moved and yet still, slowly, sharpening. The stone has been soaked and resurfaced at every 100 passes with another hone.
Is this a bad razor? Did I make a poor choice in my purchase? Is there a trick to help me get in the right direction? Anyone else got a similar blade and have any honing recommendations? I love this thing. Shaving with my Dovo Shavette is a dream...closest shave a man could ever want. But this Ti...well, I'm discouraged to say the least.
Thanks for all the help fellas. If it'd help I'll make a vid of my honing so you can see what I do.
I bought a Thiers-Issard 5/8 full hollow carbon steel through Art of Shaving. Beautiful razor:
Problem is, they said it was shave ready...it wasn't. My grandmother could pluck out my whiskers 1 by 1 without her glasses with better proficiency. So I bought the norton 4000/8000. Set the bevel with probably 200 passes each way on 4000. Then moved to the 8000. Now don't get me wrong, I'm willing to be patient with this thing but I've easily made 500 passes each way on the 8000 side and it's still tugging like an old ford super duty. It's sharper, don't get me wrong. But I could still get a better shave with a cartridge. This is not what I want.
Technique: making mild, diagnal passes with little to no pressure. At a reasonable speed, not to slow, not to fast. And, I figure it's safer for a newb such as myself on the 8000 side. Less metal being moved and yet still, slowly, sharpening. The stone has been soaked and resurfaced at every 100 passes with another hone.
Is this a bad razor? Did I make a poor choice in my purchase? Is there a trick to help me get in the right direction? Anyone else got a similar blade and have any honing recommendations? I love this thing. Shaving with my Dovo Shavette is a dream...closest shave a man could ever want. But this Ti...well, I'm discouraged to say the least.
Thanks for all the help fellas. If it'd help I'll make a vid of my honing so you can see what I do.
Last edited: