Posted: 7/7/2006 2:35:38 PM EDT
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I got one at the last show and can’t seem to figure it out. I used my crotch sticks to sharpen it and can shave hair off or may arms but shaving my face is a no go. I think the blade is nor sharp enough and it’s not at the right angle to shave. I have not cut myself yet but knowing you have a “real” razor on your own throat will wake you up in the morning! ed to say i can shave part of my cheeks and under my chin "ok" but the neck is not shaving the way i want. it does not liove up to my Mach 3 at all... 
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www.classicshaving.com Get a hone and a strop and if you paid less than $20 get a new razor. You have probably already destroyed that one so you may consider getting a new razor anyway. Do not forget a good shaving soap and brush. SBG |
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Check out "StraightRazorPlace.com" Crock sticks are a big no go. No where close to good enough. What you need: Leather strop Fine honing stone(Norton 4000/8000 is highly regarded.) Shaving soap formulated for blade shaving. Foam in an can is not good enough Shaving brush and mug Practice, study, and more practice. Don in Ohio (Six months since going exclusively straight razor) |
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It is easy. It just takes practice. Just remember, millions of men used them before the modern razor and they did not kill themselves. I have a seven day set that I use on occasion and it works great. Find an old barber manual from the 50's and you will be good to go. |
That makes me laugh.  I think you mean Crock stick |
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Speaking of straight razor. Find an *old* barber that still uses one and go in for a shave. If they do it *right* it is one hell of an experience. Almost right up there with sex. No kidding. To do it right takes about 15-20 minutes or so and your skin will feel good, real good. There is a lot of prep to getting your face ready for this kind of shave. |
What are the benefits to that? |
Hell you can't even find a real barber anymore... even at a military base... Much less a straight razor... or even a male barber.... Sure they have seperate barber and beauty shops in the BX...but the barber shop just aint a real barber shop... A real barber shop has all male barbers...and of course...straight razors, and razor strops...been years since I have been to a REAL barber shop... Remember the barbershop that I used to go to when I was growing up had a sofa and manly magazines...such as the rifleman or popular mechanics to read while you waited. It was a relaxing place to go on a saturday afternoon... Of course barber shops have been replaced by the unisex stylist, with pictures of gay looking dudes on the wall, and racks of trendy shampoo / conditioner bottles.. If a male actually works at these places he is a usually a metrosexual or a flaming homosexual...The hair cuttery is a chain that comes to mind... That would be a good business idea...a chain of retro barbershops... |
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Click Spend some time reading. Then spend some time reading some more. Fucking up with a straight razor will leave your face a mess, so when you feel good n ready....read some more. Then watch this I would say the most important thing is be patient! If you want to shave quickly, get a safety razor and whack away. With the sr8's take your time and find a good lather. |
We still have the barber shop you're reminiscing about, thankfully. 
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I'll never have to buy another disposable razor or blade. A good straight razor will last your lifetime and a couple more besides. Plus there is a satisfaction in doing it the old way, mastering the old skills. It's somewhat like the people who like being historical re-enactors, some really like it and others couldn't care less. I like using a straight razor, you're free to not do so if that's your will. Don in Ohio |
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-Like Don said, crock sticks are a no no. Get a real stone that is at least 2000 grit. When you sharpen the razor the back should be just about touching the stone. The edge on a straight razor is much narrower than any other type of blade out there. -Get a strop and some grease based strop paste(bacon grease will not work here). Hold the razor against the strop the same way as with the stone, but drag the razor away from the edge. Do this before you shave. -Wet your beard with hot water for several minutes before you begin shaving. -Get a glycerin based soap that is intended for shaving. The glycerin is a lubricant; something that helps the razor slide across your face without too many cuts. Shaving cream is primarily for chemically inducing the hairs on your face to stick out from yout skin. Since you will be applying the lather with a brush, this would be redundant. Note: I know saddle soap is glycerin based, but your skin isn't the same as leather. -Get a good lather. Good being thick enough that it isn't dripping off your face but not so thick that it is drying before you have a chance to shave all areas of your face. -If you're new to shaving with a straight razor, you may want to shave just your cheeks with the straight to begin with and move to the more round areas of your face as you get more comfortable with the razor. Also, as a straight razor newbie, you may want to hold the razor almost perpendicular to your skin to begin with until you get more comfortable with it. The best angle for shaving is about 30 degrees between the razor and your face. -Do one pass with the grain, relather and then shave across or against the grain. -Douse your face with cold water to tighten up your face. This will help with any bleeding and will induce your hairs to retract. -Rinse the razor off and pat dry it(so as not to mess with the edge). Apply mineral oil to the razor to help keep it from rusting. Here is a guide at the place I get my straight razor shaving stuff from. Oh, and about those few notes in that list: those are things I have seen people do  . So laugh at them but don't do it yourself.
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I'm sorry I can't help you. I've been using the same can of shaving cream since 11-10-2002, and it looks like it will last at least until its 4-year anniversary. I'd like to use a straight razor to shave, I think it's neat as hell... but having a full beard means that shaving just isn't a big deal anymore. |
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wyrm-001 has good advice, the only things that I'd change is that the spine of the razor rides directly on the stone, not off it by any amount. That ensures that the angle is correct and constant at all times. And a 2000 grit stone will probably work, but many are using 8000 and even 12000 grit for the final honing. Sharper is better. One final note. Shaving is done with a motion across the skin of90 degrees to the blade edge, with practice, 45 degrees is possible. Any slicing motion will produce a cut, sure as the sun shines. Don in Ohio |