Greetings everybody!
I've been lurking here for a bit, thought I should join...
Most of my adult years I've rocked a beard... but when I didn't I would use a cartridge, usually a Gillette Mach 3.
I've always had lots of razor bumps and irritation, so would only shave once or twice a week, as the next couple of days would be unpleasant.
I remembered my father using a straight razor when I was a kid, and saying it was nicer to use...but never got over the idea of a blade on my neck...then I stumbled upon a shavette and gave it a try.
Lots of nicks later, I put it away again.
Recently I was going through some stuff and came across Dad's old Puma 6/8...started researching and decided to give it a good red hot go again.
Lots of YouTube and lurking here taught me that the razor was something special, so I have bought several old razors to learn restoration and honing on that I won't cry if I mess up.
I'm pretty handy with wood and metal, restoring tools etc. and I can get a knife or a chisel popping arm hairs easy...but I've found that getting a razor shaving sharp is a whole different kettle of fish!
I'm somewhat limited in my sharpening equipment... I've got a Japanese whetstone about 1000 grit, and an old razor hone that belonged to my father which I think may be an Arkansas.
The only strop I have is an old leather belt.
After some reading here, I'm getting a selection of lapping films and some balsa straps and diamond pastes.
So far I've managed to get one of them I the point that it will shave...buy it feels like the shavette with a blade that needs changing.
I'm getting better at using a straight without cutting myself too... and much reduced skin irritation!
I've been lurking here for a bit, thought I should join...
Most of my adult years I've rocked a beard... but when I didn't I would use a cartridge, usually a Gillette Mach 3.
I've always had lots of razor bumps and irritation, so would only shave once or twice a week, as the next couple of days would be unpleasant.
I remembered my father using a straight razor when I was a kid, and saying it was nicer to use...but never got over the idea of a blade on my neck...then I stumbled upon a shavette and gave it a try.
Lots of nicks later, I put it away again.
Recently I was going through some stuff and came across Dad's old Puma 6/8...started researching and decided to give it a good red hot go again.
Lots of YouTube and lurking here taught me that the razor was something special, so I have bought several old razors to learn restoration and honing on that I won't cry if I mess up.
I'm pretty handy with wood and metal, restoring tools etc. and I can get a knife or a chisel popping arm hairs easy...but I've found that getting a razor shaving sharp is a whole different kettle of fish!
I'm somewhat limited in my sharpening equipment... I've got a Japanese whetstone about 1000 grit, and an old razor hone that belonged to my father which I think may be an Arkansas.
The only strop I have is an old leather belt.
After some reading here, I'm getting a selection of lapping films and some balsa straps and diamond pastes.
So far I've managed to get one of them I the point that it will shave...buy it feels like the shavette with a blade that needs changing.
I'm getting better at using a straight without cutting myself too... and much reduced skin irritation!