Thread: My Introduction

Thank you everyone for your replies. The blade i bought was a Dovo Special through the classifieds on this site. Like I said, it was said to be honed and stropped so i tried to shave without any touch ups. It did seem sharp with a thumb test before the shave. it certainly wanted to cut my thumb open with little pressure. It did feel like the shave was slightly better after stropping, but that didn't last more than a few seconds. I've come to terms with needing to hone the edge better. Either way, I will be taking a deep look through the library during the week before my hone stones arrive. I bought a 1k/6k and a 10k.

The VdH brush is a lower end boar brush, but it works fine. It took about 10 shaves before mine stopped being prickley. It is a good brush to learn on.

If you got the blade from here, then it was probably sharp, but as a beginner it is easy to mess up a blade. I had to go over mine with a 12k after the third shave because of bad stropping. And again about a week later. :-( Make yourself a CrOx strop to finish the blade after you come off the stones if you want it smoother.

I agree, if you got it from the SRP classifieds I would bet dollars to donuts it shaves. You should find out why you aren't getting a great shave with it. Hones will put it back in shape but I suspect that is not the problem. The strop may put it back in shape unless you really went off road with it. Good lather, stretch the skin, light pressure and start with the blade flat against your skin, increase angle until you feel it cutting. (the hair not the face) :<0) I have a feeling you'll figure it out. I hope it is a pleasant learning experience.

How was your beard prep? I have really coarse whiskers and if I don't do a hot towel treatment on my face before I shave the razor has a really hard time getting through my beard. I'd try the hot towel and see if that makes a difference.