Thread: Should I stay with my King razor or get something better?

Lot's of encouraging and thoughtful replies. I'm very appreciative for every comment so far. I'm reading everything and taking notes. The last time I gave this a try I spend a few months studying and practicing intensely on the subject.

The things I'm taking to heart now that I didn't quite understand in the past are how important a good strop is. The shop where I bought the Boker razor from didn't have a selection when it came to strops. Also the salesperson, although helpful, probably didn't appreciate just how desperate I was to learn as much as possible. I don't think he was as enthusiastic about straight razor shaving as I was then.

As a way of giving some back-story, I'll relate what really discouraged me and ultimately got me to give up shaving altogether for the past couple of years (yes I grew my beard out completely and I miss it very much). Towards the end of my shaving experience, I began to get depressed because I could never hone my razor to the level it was when I bought it (which still wasn't as sharp as I'd like). I saw a really helpful set of videos on youtube showing a method using a whetstone with a slurry and black electrical tape. I didn't have the stone, but I had the tape and the spyderco. I thought I was in for sure.

Fast forward a few weeks and I'm failing miserably and the edge is getting worse by the day. So I finally gave in and called in for some help. Enter a man that sharpens kitchen knives with his mobile utility van. He was visiting my parents to sharpen their set of knives, so what I thought was a reasonable conclusion, he must know what he's doing and that he could help me.

What took place was quite shocking, and perhaps nightmare worthy to many of you. To the squeamish, you have been warned. I handed him the razor asking him what he thought, and he said something to the effect of "Oh nice! I've always wanted to get into sharpening these." That was red flag number 1. He swung open the back door to his van and turned on his belt sander... And as quickly as he turned it on and sat down, he was grinding away on the razor. I was speechless. I couldn't move either as I watched in horror of what was taking place.

What he handed back to me was an edge that was worse off than before. He asked me to try it out and see what I thought. This, obviously, I could not do. So I smiled and said "Sure". I went to the bathroom and examined the edge closer with the tiniest bit of hope that something magical might have happened. I put the blade to my beard and, what next? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The razor couldn't cut one strand. I think that was the moment I really died inside.

Well I can't actually remember anything after that. I don't even know if I saw the man again. If I did, I know I probably just lied and said thanks, as would be my normal way of avoiding confrontation and not making waves. Besides, I knew I was the one to blame when I saw the belt sander turn on. I should have stopped him there. Wherever you are, mobile kitchen knife sharpener, may the razor gods be with you. I hope you've found what you've been looking for.

If it got hot, the temper of the blade might be stuffed, you may need a new razor. Make sure that whoever you send it to knows this bit of the razors life, they might be able to advise you.

AbelG, since you are in Houston contact Sharptonn (Tom Whittlesey). Very knowledgeable, hosts mini meets on a regular basis, knows good honers and is a collector of these beauties we love to play with.

AbelG, I'm very sorry the guy used a belt sander on your razor & I hope he didn't ruin it. I hope you have more than one razor. I live in the Houston area. Sugar Land is in the Southwest part of Houston off Southwest Freeway & Hwy 6. What part of Houston do you live?

We all cringed at your story....

As noted above, reach out to one of the Mentors in your area.
The difference between the path of frustration and the one to success is often just a little bit of knowledge and coaching, and it is near at hand.

Good luck and Smooth shaving in your very near future...

Originally Posted by MJC

We all cringed at your story....

As noted above, reach out to one of the Mentors in your area.
The difference between the path of frustration and the one to success is often just a little bit of knowledge and coaching, and it is near at hand.

Good luck and Smooth shaving in your very near future...

Yeah, my jaw dropped wide open when he said the guy used a belt sander on his straight razor!!! I'm in the Houston area & another friend is less than a mile away. He isn't a member on here but on the other one but he does know his stuff. He got me started & at the time took a W & B of mine & honed it until it popped hairs so AbelG is in luck. I do my own honing now & have Norton, Shapton & Naniwa stones so I have enough to chose from.

Thanks again to everyone. Your encouragement goes a long way, to say the least.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

If it got hot, the temper of the blade might be stuffed, you may need a new razor. Make sure that whoever you send it to knows this bit of the razors life, they might be able to advise you.

Thanks, I'll be sure to mention it.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

AbelG, since you are in Houston contact Sharptonn (Tom Whittlesey). Very knowledgeable, hosts mini meets on a regular basis, knows good honers and is a collector of these beauties we love to play with.

Right on! I'll be on the look out for these mini-meets.

Originally Posted by engine46

AbelG, I'm very sorry the guy used a belt sander on your razor & I hope he didn't ruin it. I hope you have more than one razor. I live in the Houston area. Sugar Land is in the Southwest part of Houston off Southwest Freeway & Hwy 6. What part of Houston do you live?

I Live on the West side just a stones throw away from Katy off I-10 Between Barker Cypress and Fry Rd.

Originally Posted by MJC

We all cringed at your story....

As noted above, reach out to one of the Mentors in your area.
The difference between the path of frustration and the one to success is often just a little bit of knowledge and coaching, and it is near at hand.

Good luck and Smooth shaving in your very near future...

I cringed re-reading it! haha We live and we learn. Thanks for bolstering my faith.

Originally Posted by engine46

Yeah, my jaw dropped wide open when he said the guy used a belt sander on his straight razor!!! I'm in the Houston area & another friend is less than a mile away. He isn't a member on here but on the other one but he does know his stuff. He got me started & at the time took a W & B of mine & honed it until it popped hairs so AbelG is in luck. I do my own honing now & have Norton, Shapton & Naniwa stones so I have enough to chose from.

Well, you've got my attention Where do we go from here?

I'll send you a PM.