I think I'm getting the hang of this.

[Clockwork John]

It's all starting to come together. I've shaved twice since I picked up a shave-ready razor off the b/s/t, and I'm already getting closer, smoother shaves than I got with a DE. I'm still having some issues around my chin, but I'm sure this will work itself out in time.

Thanks to a few kind members here, I now have a paddle strop, a hanging strop, and CrO2 paste. I also have my grandfather's Aloxite barber hone.

I have a 3/8 wedge made by RUGRA that I picked up pretty cheap, but it wasn't shave ready. Now that I have a shave-ready razor, I have an idea of what to look for in an edge. Since I had some time yesterday, I now have eveything I need (I think) to keep a good edge on my razors, I decided to see what I could do with the RUGRA. I spent about a half hour on the hone, then 20 laps on the pasted paddle strop, then to the vinyl, then 30 laps on the leather hanging strop...

I got the RUGRA shaveable. It isn't the smoothest shave, and it wouldn't hurt if it were a bit sharper, but it definitely cuts hair.

I think I'm getting the hang of this.

 

[DM.Aelis]

Congrats!

I hope to learn as quickly as you do! I'm just waiting for things to arrive in the mail!

Keep us all updated, I'll definitely send out some updates once I've stumbled through my first straight shave!

 

[scottish steve]

I just tried my Dovo for the first time in ages and it definitely needs work done on it. Could get an ok shave but it was a bit skippy and not satisfying or smooth. No wonder I found it difficult when this was my only razor

 

[SavantStrike]

Congrats!

It sounds to me though like either the finishing hone you are using is a bit coarse (hence why it could put any kind of an edge on a beater razor) or alternatively the blade needs work done at a lower grit. The latter is more likely since your grandfather used the hone you have as a finishing hone and it did just fine for him.

 

[Clockwork John]

Congrats!

It sounds to me though like either the finishing hone you are using is a bit coarse (hence why it could put any kind of an edge on a beater razor) or alternatively the blade needs work done at a lower grit. The latter is more likely since your grandfather used the hone you have as a finishing hone and it did just fine for him.

I'm leaning more toward the latter as well. The RUGRA is in great shape. No rust, no pitting, no edge damage, minor hone wear... Just not sharp. I guess I'm going to need a coarser hone, or more patience and elbow grease if I want to get that razor really shave ready...

 

[SavantStrike]

I'm leaning more toward the latter as well. The RUGRA is in great shape. No rust, no pitting, no edge damage, minor hone wear... Just not sharp. I guess I'm going to need a coarser hone, or more patience and elbow grease if I want to get that razor really shave ready...

Nope. Elbow grease won't cut it. That finishing hone is just that, a finishing hone. You're not going to get the RUGRA to the finished stage without something coarser. But look at it this way, now you get to buy a hone!!!