Thread: Course hair question

I gave my first straight razor the same honing I did for the inherited one and I'm going to shave test my work tomorrow morning. I'm liking what I saw so far though, I gave it a gentle pass over my forearm with the grain and hairs were popping left and right. I've thought about having a pro hone it for me but I'm a bit of a do it yourself-er. The only way I'll get good at this is if I practice and keep at it. Can't wait to see if lighting will strike twice on my honing work.
Don't worry about my prep work though, I'm pretty careful about getting my face to hot shower quality one way or another and I'm pretty confident in my stropping. I did learn though from reading the the faq more on this forum that I've been lathering up the brush wrong. Had no idea you were just supposed to get soap on the tip. That would explain why I never got a hot lather. I'm glad I joined this forum already, you guys are a huge help. It clearly was taking me forever to figure out my honing was the problem

Originally Posted by PFunkDaddy

onimaru,
By flat angle, do you mean with the blade closer to parallel/lying flat to the skin as opposed to the generic 30 degrees?

If most bevels average out at approx 15º, the 30º figure is often misinterpreted.... but yes flatter is better.
See link below:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ml#post1027409

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Assuming you want edge durability & a smooth shave there would be a number of razors that come to mind that may fit. Some of the New York made razors. Swedish razors & Japanese razors, even some Solingens. PM some of the honers/restorers & ask them which razors take more work.
If money is no object an HV860 tamahagane Iwasaki should do the job.
need to try a few & see what you like best but as for technique I'd emphasise a very low almost flat angle of approach.

I would include in the list of edge durability the new Thiers Issard wit carbonsong steel.

Originally Posted by Sterm

I would include in the list of edge durability the new Thiers Issard wit carbonsong steel.

Even the older ones do well also.