Hello to all.
It's been over a month since my mentor-led, newly-learned ability to put an edge on a SR has made me a happy man. It started with a new Dove Prima Steel from The Superior Shave that likely came with an excellent edge, but I ran it along a diamond pasted balsa strop and probably ruined it. That first shave was terrible. There was a chance that the blade was terrible straight from the hands of the proprietor, but I don't think that happened. It came with a convex bevel, and I think I nixed that with the strop.
I put that blade aside, got chummy with a wonderful member here who taught me, much like Pei Mei, except my mentor isn't Asian and I'm not blonde.
Here was MY game plan--do it once, do it twice to confirm it's not beginner's luck, then make the Dovo a shaver.
I know, elementary to most everyone here; but this man taught me something earth-shatteringly simple. He said, "Our catchphrase will be patience." He told me I would fail, and to learn from those failures. He told me to buy the cheapest blade I could find on eBay that will be no looker, but a practice edge. I lucked into a lovely Wade & Butcher for a steal. It was not shave ready, but with guidance, and LOTS of patience, I made it a shaver. Next was a W.H. Morely which was also in good condition, but wasn't a single-digit price, but not much more. I made that a shaver too.
Coming up on a 5 or 6 weeks now, I look back with gratitude and the knowledge of standard operating procedure. I'll not dog anyone's method, but I know with certainty this is not complicated, it just takes repetition and a strong sense of restraint. I shall NOT attempt to chase perfect. Perfection is the roadblock to progress. I'm not at a stage where I try to improve on "THIS" blade with knowledge of what I did to the "LAST" blade. For a guy like me, this is the kiss of death.
I only repeat what I did last time. This rationale of, "if it worked yesterday, it'll work today," has proven to be true.
In that time space I bought a beautiful Ralf Aust (not for a steal, but for a very fair price) right here on the BST forum. That came "not shave ready" as conveyed by the seller, but I found it to be "passable." Instead of taking it to a stone, I stropped it into submission.
I'll cut to the chase. When I made a blade or two shave ready, only then would Iruin chance my skills on my Dovo. I have since put an edge on my Dovo that is one of my best.
I'm no virtuoso. I'm a beginner who knows less than some of you folks have forgotten. I know enough to know what's dangerous--and this was taught. Left to my own devices, I'd have over $1,000 worth of gear and I'd have likely given up a few weeks ago. I am no one special. I listened and learned.
Here's my routine--
1. Learn to create a shave ready edge. Make it so.
2. Strop it before every shave (linen after every shave isn't a bad thing either, but I haven't found it critical).
3. Take a stone to the blade ONLY when a strop doesn't maintain that shave-ready edge.
4. When I have a question, I ASK!
When my electrician apprentice students catch wind that "scale is $40 here in FL, but $61 in California." I remind them that economics dictates if there was ONE place an electrician could work and be better-off than all the others--every electrician would live there. You might make 50% more money "over there," but a one bedroom apartment "over there" costs FAR more than it does here. There is no magic bullet, no "easier, softer way." The grass IS NOT greener. The way this ties into what I've learned here, is that if there was one way to do things that way would be revered by all--everyone would be doing it, and all other methods would fall by the wayside. This routine would be so famous, it would be a proper noun. I have yet to learn "The Way," or "Here's How You Do It." When I do, I'll let you all know. I have simply learned, "This works!" I am no one special.
To the newcomers, please know, you DO NOT need to be aware of any classified material that's in a safe, in an underwater cave, guarded by Medusa. You don't need to spend upwards of $500 on Shapton glass. You DO have to know that "shave ready" begins with setting a bevel. Then refining it. It doesn't take expensive toys to do it. It takes patience and a willingness to learn from your failures. There is no "secret." There certainly no "my way or the highway," and forget the "follow my method to the letter," routine. If my routine was "The Way," I would either be a professor emeritus somewhere in Solingen, or at the very least, I'd have an office at MIT. Lastly, mankind could throw out centuries of knowledge. Alas, I am no one special.
I am indescribably grateful not only for what I've learned, but for having let go of my past tendencies to always improve on "the last time." One day I'll try out other methods. They will not be a huge departure from what I've been taught. Never will I change more than one variable at a time. Finally, I won't depart from what works until I'm at the top of my game. I expect to be there around when I'm on my deathbed.
The same way I'm going to use my mentor until he puts my phone number on block--YOU should ask questions. Most importantly; heed the advice you're given (or don't ask). I don't say this from the high tower. But, why ask a question if your only intention is to confirm you already had the right answer?
It's been over a month since my mentor-led, newly-learned ability to put an edge on a SR has made me a happy man. It started with a new Dove Prima Steel from The Superior Shave that likely came with an excellent edge, but I ran it along a diamond pasted balsa strop and probably ruined it. That first shave was terrible. There was a chance that the blade was terrible straight from the hands of the proprietor, but I don't think that happened. It came with a convex bevel, and I think I nixed that with the strop.
I put that blade aside, got chummy with a wonderful member here who taught me, much like Pei Mei, except my mentor isn't Asian and I'm not blonde.
Here was MY game plan--do it once, do it twice to confirm it's not beginner's luck, then make the Dovo a shaver.I know, elementary to most everyone here; but this man taught me something earth-shatteringly simple. He said, "Our catchphrase will be patience." He told me I would fail, and to learn from those failures. He told me to buy the cheapest blade I could find on eBay that will be no looker, but a practice edge. I lucked into a lovely Wade & Butcher for a steal. It was not shave ready, but with guidance, and LOTS of patience, I made it a shaver. Next was a W.H. Morely which was also in good condition, but wasn't a single-digit price, but not much more. I made that a shaver too.
Coming up on a 5 or 6 weeks now, I look back with gratitude and the knowledge of standard operating procedure. I'll not dog anyone's method, but I know with certainty this is not complicated, it just takes repetition and a strong sense of restraint. I shall NOT attempt to chase perfect. Perfection is the roadblock to progress. I'm not at a stage where I try to improve on "THIS" blade with knowledge of what I did to the "LAST" blade. For a guy like me, this is the kiss of death.
I only repeat what I did last time. This rationale of, "if it worked yesterday, it'll work today," has proven to be true.
In that time space I bought a beautiful Ralf Aust (not for a steal, but for a very fair price) right here on the BST forum. That came "not shave ready" as conveyed by the seller, but I found it to be "passable." Instead of taking it to a stone, I stropped it into submission.
I'll cut to the chase. When I made a blade or two shave ready, only then would I
I'm no virtuoso. I'm a beginner who knows less than some of you folks have forgotten. I know enough to know what's dangerous--and this was taught. Left to my own devices, I'd have over $1,000 worth of gear and I'd have likely given up a few weeks ago. I am no one special. I listened and learned.
Here's my routine--
1. Learn to create a shave ready edge. Make it so.
2. Strop it before every shave (linen after every shave isn't a bad thing either, but I haven't found it critical).
3. Take a stone to the blade ONLY when a strop doesn't maintain that shave-ready edge.
4. When I have a question, I ASK!
When my electrician apprentice students catch wind that "scale is $40 here in FL, but $61 in California." I remind them that economics dictates if there was ONE place an electrician could work and be better-off than all the others--every electrician would live there. You might make 50% more money "over there," but a one bedroom apartment "over there" costs FAR more than it does here. There is no magic bullet, no "easier, softer way." The grass IS NOT greener. The way this ties into what I've learned here, is that if there was one way to do things that way would be revered by all--everyone would be doing it, and all other methods would fall by the wayside. This routine would be so famous, it would be a proper noun. I have yet to learn "The Way," or "Here's How You Do It." When I do, I'll let you all know. I have simply learned, "This works!" I am no one special.
To the newcomers, please know, you DO NOT need to be aware of any classified material that's in a safe, in an underwater cave, guarded by Medusa. You don't need to spend upwards of $500 on Shapton glass. You DO have to know that "shave ready" begins with setting a bevel. Then refining it. It doesn't take expensive toys to do it. It takes patience and a willingness to learn from your failures. There is no "secret." There certainly no "my way or the highway," and forget the "follow my method to the letter," routine. If my routine was "The Way," I would either be a professor emeritus somewhere in Solingen, or at the very least, I'd have an office at MIT. Lastly, mankind could throw out centuries of knowledge. Alas, I am no one special.
I am indescribably grateful not only for what I've learned, but for having let go of my past tendencies to always improve on "the last time." One day I'll try out other methods. They will not be a huge departure from what I've been taught. Never will I change more than one variable at a time. Finally, I won't depart from what works until I'm at the top of my game. I expect to be there around when I'm on my deathbed.
The same way I'm going to use my mentor until he puts my phone number on block--YOU should ask questions. Most importantly; heed the advice you're given (or don't ask). I don't say this from the high tower. But, why ask a question if your only intention is to confirm you already had the right answer?
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