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- #41
Took the straight plunge
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- #43
#29 DFS (last night)
Equipment: Kirschner 11/16", VDH, Semogue boar, witch hazel.
I managed to get a very good shave using an antique store razor that I honed to a shaving edge. I'm pretty proud of that. The shave was with very inadequate prep--no shower, no hot water--just VDH lathered up wet and runny, waited about a minute, and off to the races. Thankfully, my 4th attempt at honing this razor yielded a nice smooth edge. I'll have to try it again with proper prep and Cella.
Equipment: Kirschner 11/16", VDH, Semogue boar, witch hazel.
I managed to get a very good shave using an antique store razor that I honed to a shaving edge. I'm pretty proud of that. The shave was with very inadequate prep--no shower, no hot water--just VDH lathered up wet and runny, waited about a minute, and off to the races. Thankfully, my 4th attempt at honing this razor yielded a nice smooth edge. I'll have to try it again with proper prep and Cella.
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- #44
This has been a neat thread to follow. I should've started doing the same thing...thank you.
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- #46
Thanks for the kind words, BigBull. Before I started this odyssey, I told my wife and myself that I'd NEVER EVER get into straights! So much work with the stropping and the skin stretching and the edge maintenance and having to hold the razor with both hands! Who needs all that when I can use an Astra SP 5 or 6 times in a Slim or a Tech or a Slant? Bah! But, now that I've gotten into this and feel comfortable and confident using straights, it's tremendously rewarding and a boost in self-confidence in a new found skill. I tell people that I shave with a straight razor and they say, "You're insane" and "Wow, you're quite the risk taker, aren't you?!"
It's never too late to start with straights. Larry at Whipped Dog will set you up right. Just know that you'll likely shred your strop and you might kill the edge in short order. The balsa strop might be able to bring it back enough to use, though.
p.s. I'm still not ready to use my Slim set to 9...
It's never too late to start with straights. Larry at Whipped Dog will set you up right. Just know that you'll likely shred your strop and you might kill the edge in short order. The balsa strop might be able to bring it back enough to use, though.
p.s. I'm still not ready to use my Slim set to 9...
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- #47
I've already made the plunge! Post #23 in this thread.
I was pif'd one from windrider and that opened the flood gates. Ordered a PMS from WD and now I have 4 straights, 3 strops, a coticule & slurry stone...nevermind, you get the idea. It is very rewarding! Kudos to you.
I was pif'd one from windrider and that opened the flood gates. Ordered a PMS from WD and now I have 4 straights, 3 strops, a coticule & slurry stone...nevermind, you get the idea. It is very rewarding! Kudos to you.
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- #49
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- #52
#35 10/8 DFS
Equipment: GD 66, Cella, VDH boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
Cella and old Proraso just seem to work the best for me. That big GD holds a really nice edge and performs very well. Everything Slash and Seraphim say about that $3.50 "piece of unshavable junk" is true! My SR inventory is almost up to a razor per day, so is that SRAD?
Equipment: GD 66, Cella, VDH boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
Cella and old Proraso just seem to work the best for me. That big GD holds a really nice edge and performs very well. Everything Slash and Seraphim say about that $3.50 "piece of unshavable junk" is true! My SR inventory is almost up to a razor per day, so is that SRAD?
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- #53
#36 DFS
Equipment: Whipped Dog sight unseen, MWF, Omega boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
Guess I just have to whip the MWF into a thicker lather to get it working. Had a great shave with it today and figured out the growth pattern on a section of my neck that makes the shave go better. Also found that the unused MWF lather on the brush is great for treating my nicked up WD poor man's strop.
Equipment: Whipped Dog sight unseen, MWF, Omega boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
Guess I just have to whip the MWF into a thicker lather to get it working. Had a great shave with it today and figured out the growth pattern on a section of my neck that makes the shave go better. Also found that the unused MWF lather on the brush is great for treating my nicked up WD poor man's strop.
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- #54
#37 DFS+
Equipment: Kirschner 11/16", Arko, Semogue boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
One of the best straight shaves I've managed and comparable to a meticulous DE shave. I re-honed my Kirschner last night without tape and made sure that I had a burr that traded sides before going to the higher films. I use an Edge Pro Apex (http://www.edgeproinc.com/Apex-Model-Edge-Pro-System-c3/) to set the bevel because (I have it for my kitchen knives, and) it is very precise and has some coarser AlOx hones for fast cutting. Got through the higher films and Whipped Dog balsa strop and the razor was popping hairs with a nice singing all the way up and down. And it shaved like it, too!
Loving the straight shaving and feel that a DE or SE is cheating!
Equipment: Kirschner 11/16", Arko, Semogue boar, witch hazel, C&E Sienna AS.
One of the best straight shaves I've managed and comparable to a meticulous DE shave. I re-honed my Kirschner last night without tape and made sure that I had a burr that traded sides before going to the higher films. I use an Edge Pro Apex (http://www.edgeproinc.com/Apex-Model-Edge-Pro-System-c3/) to set the bevel because (I have it for my kitchen knives, and) it is very precise and has some coarser AlOx hones for fast cutting. Got through the higher films and Whipped Dog balsa strop and the razor was popping hairs with a nice singing all the way up and down. And it shaved like it, too!
Loving the straight shaving and feel that a DE or SE is cheating!
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- #57
#40 DFS+
Equipment: JR Torrey, Cella, Semogue boar, witch hazel
I honed this ebay Torrey from butter knife to sublime. It didn't seem all that sharp when I was honing it until I tried the arm hair shave test. It mowed those hairs down effortlessly and with near silence. I think this razor is a half-hollow grind, and I think I like that a little better than my full hollows. The shave today included the best first passes I've ever had with any straight. Quiet, smooth and confidently capable. This razor is now my favorite until proven otherwise.
Equipment: JR Torrey, Cella, Semogue boar, witch hazel
I honed this ebay Torrey from butter knife to sublime. It didn't seem all that sharp when I was honing it until I tried the arm hair shave test. It mowed those hairs down effortlessly and with near silence. I think this razor is a half-hollow grind, and I think I like that a little better than my full hollows. The shave today included the best first passes I've ever had with any straight. Quiet, smooth and confidently capable. This razor is now my favorite until proven otherwise.
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#43 Blood drawn. Transfusion not needed (yet ).
Equipment: J R Torrey, ARKO, Omega short boar, witch hazel.
I stropped the razor as usual and took my shower. Everything was going fine and I'd made just a few strokes on my cheek on the right side of my face. Went to put the razor under my nose to do my mustache, and felt a slight sting and knew instantly what I'd done. It started trickling immediately, and I could see the frown of skin that had been opened up. I was amazed at how it kept bleeding, and that neither the styptic, cold water or t.p. with pressure would stem its crimson tide. It took about 20 minutes for it to finally coagulate.
Guess I know that the Torrey is wickedly sharp, and that a moment of the slightest inattention can turn against you. I did finish one pass everywhere else and called it a day. I'll get back on the horse with the Torrey, but it probably won't be tomorrow!
).Equipment: J R Torrey, ARKO, Omega short boar, witch hazel.
I stropped the razor as usual and took my shower. Everything was going fine and I'd made just a few strokes on my cheek on the right side of my face. Went to put the razor under my nose to do my mustache, and felt a slight sting and knew instantly what I'd done. It started trickling immediately, and I could see the frown of skin that had been opened up. I was amazed at how it kept bleeding, and that neither the styptic, cold water or t.p. with pressure would stem its crimson tide. It took about 20 minutes for it to finally coagulate.
Guess I know that the Torrey is wickedly sharp, and that a moment of the slightest inattention can turn against you. I did finish one pass everywhere else and called it a day. I'll get back on the horse with the Torrey, but it probably won't be tomorrow!
