I never considered shaving as a hobby. It was just something I did, and was never really taught to do. Nor did I put any emphasis on expanding my knowledge.
I have a tendency to become interested in things, and often quickly fall out of interest in them.
So far I’ve grabbed a few inexpensive straight razors, an Edwin Jagger Safety Razor, a Shavette, and now a whole lineup of sharpening stones.
I also puchased a used Ralf Aust that came with a strop from Straight Razor Designs.
At first I just went on Amazon and purchased some inexpensive stones. I’m fairly certain in my first attempt I ruined or at the very least permanently disfigured the Aust.
It only cost me $50 dollars for the Aust, and the Strop. I think I’m in gold dollar-ville until I get a grasp on honing.
There was no learning curve with the Jagger. I get a nice shave from it. I’m not great at doing multiple passes. I also don’t really need a BBS shave.
What I like is the idea of less irritation, and a cleaner cut. I guess that’s what attracted me to wet-shaving.
I also have a little shavette. I’m starting to get a feel for it. As a newbie, switching to the non-dominant hand, the nose, seeing what you’re doing, are all challenges. As is overcoming the fear of scalloping your face.
I’ve got a few tiny cuts. I think you guys call them weepers. This only happens really when I start to get confident, and speed while losing focus, or whet not making sure skin is taught.
I’ve been listening to YouTube while working. I really enjoy the videos of Keith V Johnson. I like his approach, and down to earth way of explaining things.
So far, Honing is challenging. I went through the process on an inexpensive razor, and shaved this morning. Through my loupe the edge looked decent, it cut a cherry tomato lol. The experience on my face was not cherry-tomatoesque
I think thats the major challenge new guys like myself encounter. We don’t have a feel for the experience. Even the x-stroke. It looks simple, but its touch and feel.
The stone itself, I have nothing to compare it to. Im just am developing a feel for the stones I bought. They are all I know.
Down to the shave. What does sharp feel like? What does dull feel like?
I look through the loupe 10x that I purchased, and can I see the problem? Can I even tell when I’ve done it right? Should I see a problem, do I know how to compensate, or correct? What stroke I should use, pressure etc.
Im a painter by trade. There is a comfort with a brush in my hand. I don’t think I just feel it, but I remember when it felt foreign, and it’s hard to describe to new guys how to cut in. You need to literally cut in miles of trim, and ceiling to become proficient. Truth is everyone kind of does it a little differently. They each find a way to cut, roll, paint. Hopefully achieve similar consistent results.
I don’t really know the main point of this post is . Maybe it’s to other new guys like myself. Watching people hone, it’s may be little arrogant to think you’re just going to be able to hone.
Maybe it’s a little ignorant also to take a surgically sharp object to your face and just assume it will be easy and shave.
I have a new found respect for the skills required, and knowledge within the community. Some of you really have a ton of knowledge.
That being said, the knowledge is difficult to structure into a system for us new guys, especially with honing.
But I guess therein lies the point of the post. I bet most of you seasoned vets didn’t pick up a razor slap it on a stone, follow a clearly outlined algorithm, and start popping out perfect blades.
I’m sure It was trial and error, and experience was gained over time with many successes and failures.
In closing, I was a little frustrated with myself as my honed razor tugged away at my face this morning. Even discouraged.
I’ve spent some money on razors, and stones the last few weeks.
I guess I assumed if I bought the right things, it would just be easy. To be honest, with honing, I’m actually not sure I’m doing anything right.
But what Keith Johnson said kind of keeps me motivate. He said “sure you can do this, Cavemen did this” I think that a good perspective to have as a new guy. Put in the work.
I have a tendency to become interested in things, and often quickly fall out of interest in them.
So far I’ve grabbed a few inexpensive straight razors, an Edwin Jagger Safety Razor, a Shavette, and now a whole lineup of sharpening stones.
I also puchased a used Ralf Aust that came with a strop from Straight Razor Designs.
At first I just went on Amazon and purchased some inexpensive stones. I’m fairly certain in my first attempt I ruined or at the very least permanently disfigured the Aust.
It only cost me $50 dollars for the Aust, and the Strop. I think I’m in gold dollar-ville until I get a grasp on honing.
There was no learning curve with the Jagger. I get a nice shave from it. I’m not great at doing multiple passes. I also don’t really need a BBS shave.
What I like is the idea of less irritation, and a cleaner cut. I guess that’s what attracted me to wet-shaving.
I also have a little shavette. I’m starting to get a feel for it. As a newbie, switching to the non-dominant hand, the nose, seeing what you’re doing, are all challenges. As is overcoming the fear of scalloping your face.
I’ve got a few tiny cuts. I think you guys call them weepers. This only happens really when I start to get confident, and speed while losing focus, or whet not making sure skin is taught.
I’ve been listening to YouTube while working. I really enjoy the videos of Keith V Johnson. I like his approach, and down to earth way of explaining things.
So far, Honing is challenging. I went through the process on an inexpensive razor, and shaved this morning. Through my loupe the edge looked decent, it cut a cherry tomato lol. The experience on my face was not cherry-tomatoesque
I think thats the major challenge new guys like myself encounter. We don’t have a feel for the experience. Even the x-stroke. It looks simple, but its touch and feel.
The stone itself, I have nothing to compare it to. Im just am developing a feel for the stones I bought. They are all I know.
Down to the shave. What does sharp feel like? What does dull feel like?
I look through the loupe 10x that I purchased, and can I see the problem? Can I even tell when I’ve done it right? Should I see a problem, do I know how to compensate, or correct? What stroke I should use, pressure etc.
Im a painter by trade. There is a comfort with a brush in my hand. I don’t think I just feel it, but I remember when it felt foreign, and it’s hard to describe to new guys how to cut in. You need to literally cut in miles of trim, and ceiling to become proficient. Truth is everyone kind of does it a little differently. They each find a way to cut, roll, paint. Hopefully achieve similar consistent results.
I don’t really know the main point of this post is . Maybe it’s to other new guys like myself. Watching people hone, it’s may be little arrogant to think you’re just going to be able to hone.
Maybe it’s a little ignorant also to take a surgically sharp object to your face and just assume it will be easy and shave.
I have a new found respect for the skills required, and knowledge within the community. Some of you really have a ton of knowledge.
That being said, the knowledge is difficult to structure into a system for us new guys, especially with honing.
But I guess therein lies the point of the post. I bet most of you seasoned vets didn’t pick up a razor slap it on a stone, follow a clearly outlined algorithm, and start popping out perfect blades.
I’m sure It was trial and error, and experience was gained over time with many successes and failures.
In closing, I was a little frustrated with myself as my honed razor tugged away at my face this morning. Even discouraged.
I’ve spent some money on razors, and stones the last few weeks.
I guess I assumed if I bought the right things, it would just be easy. To be honest, with honing, I’m actually not sure I’m doing anything right.
But what Keith Johnson said kind of keeps me motivate. He said “sure you can do this, Cavemen did this” I think that a good perspective to have as a new guy. Put in the work.
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