not sure if i am a fool or just lucky

**H2Andy** · 10-01-2006, 07:10 PM

well, i decided to go ahead and make the leap into straight razor territory with two shaves this weekend.

my razor is a John Primble (Belknap) 1004. the blade is in excellent shape, no nicks or anything.

so i thought... do i sharpen it and risk a cut, or do i leave it unsharpened for practice?

i decided i'd leave it unsharpened. of course, i did strop it before and after each use (i got a sweet antique leather strop in excellent condition).

ok.. so... my first shave (Saturday) was full of trepidation. i was expecting the blade to jump off my hand and cut off my nose. didn't go that way. basically, i managed to shave both sides of my face and my neck from north to south. i did not make a second pass.

it was not a good shave, or even an ok shave, as it left most of my stubble behind. however, no cuts!

ok ... so ... on to today's (Sunday) shave. again, not a great shave, but no blood.

i do find that my fingers tend to hold the razor differently at different times (depending where i am shaving).

i have a few questions (thanks in advance for the info):

1. my plan is to continue with weekend only straight razor shaves for a while. should i sharpen the blade immediately, or should i wait until i am more comfortable?

2. do i have to absolutely hold the razor as indicated: "the index and second fingers on the shank, your thumb under the shank and against the shoulder, the handle raised vertically between your middle and ring fingers, and your ring and pinky fingers resting inside the crescent-shaped tang"??? or can i adjust how i hold the razor as it works best for me?

in other words, is this a technique i nee to learn and perfect because it will make shaving easier in the long run, or can i improvise and do what seems to be working best for me now?

and

3. i am right handed, and can shave most of my face right handed, but there are difficult spots.

should i switch to left handed use or continue to try and figure out how to do it right-handed only?

thanks in advance!

**gglockner** · 10-01-2006, 09:10 PM

1. You probably need to sharpen it to get a better shave. I am not sure if you have the tools to do that or not, but I would reccomend that you do or have someone hone it for you.

2. Watch Lynn's video or find pictures of hold the straight. But there are places where I switch to a postion like holding on to a steak knife.

3. Some people use both hands to shave some only one. I tried shaving with my left hand and never really got comfortable at it.

Glen

**rtaylor61** · 10-01-2006, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by gglockner

1. You probably need to sharpen it to get a better shave. I am not sure if you have the tools to do that or not, but I would reccomend that you do or have someone hone it for you.

2. Watch Lynn's video or find pictures of hold the straight. But there are places where I switch to a postion like holding on to a steak knife.

3. Some people use both hands to shave some only one. I tried shaving with my left hand and never really got comfortable at it.

Glen

Andy,

I agree with Glen 100%. You can find Lynn's video in our Pictorial and Video section: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1380

Randy

**JohnP** · 10-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Count me in too.
When I break out one of my straights I usually do most of it with my right hand. Every so often I'll do my left cheek with my left hand, but when it comes to the against the grain pass I'm a bit awkward with my left, and since I can get it with my right hand don't see the point.
I also agree get that thing sharpened. Sounds like you're on the right track, you'll be amazed how much easier (and painless BTW) it is to shave with a sharp straight versus one that isn't.
John P.

**ouch** · 10-01-2006, 09:44 PM

For the love of Pete will you sharpen your razor already? You'll do much more damage to your face with a dull one.

**rtaylor61** · 10-01-2006, 09:45 PM

Andy,

If you want to have the razor sharpened, contact me for Lynn Abrams email and I'll put you in touch with him. Once you have used a Lynn sharpened razor, you will truly understand what sharp is! Just make sure to donate blood in advance and have a recent picture for the plastic surgeon!

Randy

**Howard** · 10-01-2006, 10:06 PM

1. Sharpen it.

2. I hold it as you described. Find what works for you. You may discover after experimenting that the way you described works pretty well.

3. Learn to use both hands.

**catatonic** · 10-02-2006, 04:02 AM

get it sharpened, and just take it slow.

I found even with a wickedly sharp blade, it takes an almost deliberate attempt to get cut.

Just remember to pull the skin taut BEFORE putting the razor to the skin...that was the single most common way I got cut when starting out with a straight.

**H2Andy** · 10-02-2006, 05:32 PM

guys, thank you all for the feedback.

i watched the video, very nice visuals

i think the consensus is to sharpen the razor, and so i will. i don't have a stone yet, but one is coming in the mail

**H2Andy** · 10-06-2006, 10:07 AM

well, a progress (?) report

got the honing stone, sharpened my razor till i thought it was pretty sharp (it could cut through paper)

shaved this morning, and it was a bit of a debacle. i gave myself two light cuts on my left cheek, side to side. no blood, but you can see them.

i also gave myself a north to south cut on my right jaw, up into the cheek. that bled just a little, nothing like a cut finger.

looks like i lost a fight with a cat

i think the razor may not be sharp enough. it seemed to "pull" a little when i was shaving.

i guess i'll go back to sharpening it and try again tomorrow.

i'll also look at the video again tonight and see if i can pick up any more insights.

**LX_Emergency** · 10-06-2006, 10:46 AM

Do yourself a favorite: hone the blade untill it easily (I reapeat easily as in with no pressure) cuts the hair on your arm. That might be a good moment to try again.
One more thing: Do NOT test the razor by cutting paper. That'll just dull the edge (once it's sharp enough that is)

**htownmmm** · 10-06-2006, 10:49 AM

How about a lucky fool or foolishly lucky?

Marty

**boboakalfb** · 10-06-2006, 11:04 AM

Just my .02...but if you do have Lynn hone it for you then you will eliminate the question of the razor being sharp enough. This will allow you to focus on your shaving technique without wondering if the razor is shave ready.

**H2Andy** · 10-06-2006, 11:48 AM

bob, that sounds like a good idea. see my PM

Originally Posted by htownmmm

How about a lucky fool or foolishly lucky?

hmmm.... i think i like foolishly lucky better!

**randydance062449** · 10-07-2006, 12:59 AM

Just my two cents on this...

1. Have the razor honed by Lynn or Joe Chandler. Then you will know what sharp really is.
Lynn = [email protected]
Joe Chandler = [email protected]

then you can concentrate on your beard prep and shaving technique. It is doubtful that you will be able to hone your razor properly the first time, or 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Honing is the most difficult skill to learn.

2. Learn to use both hands. Shaving is just so much easier when you do. Less gymnastics.

3. Lynn Abrams now has a 3 1/2 hour DVD available on every subject related to shaving with a straight razor. It is $19 and worth every penny. Get it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Straight-Razor-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps,

**moses** · 10-07-2006, 05:46 PM

Just bought on of his DVDs. This is bad. I don't even have a real straight yet.... RAD here we come....

Maybe I will be able to hold off at least until I can get a good shave with my Artist Club. Which is really what I am hoping this DVD will help with. I just fear it will lead to SRAD for the real thing....

**Rik** · 10-07-2006, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Just my two cents on this...

1. Have the razor honed by Lynn or Joe Chandler. Then you will know what sharp really is.
Lynn = [email protected]
Joe Chandler = [email protected]

then you can concentrate on your beard prep and shaving technique. It is doubtful that you will be able to hone your razor properly the first time, or 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Honing is the most difficult skill to learn.

2. Learn to use both hands. Shaving is just so much easier when you do. Less gymnastics.

3. Lynn Abrams now has a 3 1/2 hour DVD available on every subject related to shaving with a straight razor. It is $19 and worth every penny. Get it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Straight-Razor-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps,

Randy beat me to it. I would follow his advice verbatim. You may want to PM randydance062449 and see if he's still honing blades for others. I've had blades honed by many of the str8t honemeisters and none create a finer edge than Randy.

**catatonic** · 10-08-2006, 11:10 AM

Keep in mind paper IS wood. Would you test your razor on a twig? This includes toilet paper.

I've always been fond of testing an edge on the skin of my thumb. I did do a nail test before, but don't do that (turns out that's only for an edge that just got a 4k sharpening, all sharpening after that is too delicate for that type of test).

I need to find some nice soft woven cotton cloths for wiping my razor after shaves, as well as find some suitable stones...i've been eyeing out the spyderco stones.