No meat pies for our lass today...

[Yorkie]

..had my first proper shave with no blood or having to stitch my head back on. Sweeny Todd can wait...

Been sharpening my old Kropp up for a while now on an 'India Oilstone' and then stropping it on a smooth leather belt with some talc (I figured you use can use talc for polishing scratches out of CD's so won't do any harm in trying it on my razor).

Had a nice hot bath and a hot flannel round my face.

Happened to get some Wilkinson Sword shaving soap (blue bowl) and a Wilkinson Sword brush to go with it from Morrisons super market while shopping so that's what I used - actually a very pleasant smell. Anyways, lathered up and left it a while.

Did the two pass method as described elsewhere - wtg - xtg. Wasn't a wonderful experience as my razor isn't uniformly sharp (for some reason it passes the HHT at the back of the blade and the tip but not the front third). I did manage to take most of my stubble off with no nicks/cuts but left myself a little sore from razor burn. Though as it's my first proper attempt I'm quite happy with the results.

Once the postal strike is off I'll be thinking about sending my razor off for a proper sorting out then I should see some difference... (might end up with another off fleabay as well as I've seen a nice Solingen one I fancy)

BTW, found toothpaste cleans the tarnish/light scratches off blades pretty well.

 

[leighton]

Sounds like your off to a good start.

Funny you mention toothpaste, I was reading up on automotive polishing and some people recommended toothpaste. :weird:

 

[galopede]

Sounds like your off to a good start.

Funny you mention toothpaste, I was reading up on automotive polishing and some people recommended toothpaste. :weird:

Good for indigestion too if you don't have any proper stuff available!

Keep on with the straights Yorkie. Gives you something more to collect...

Gareth

 

[professorchaos]

Congratulations! Your first straight shave isn't supposed to be pleasurably, but hopefully fun. The important part is that you didn't slice yourself up.

 

[keenedge]

Do send that blade out for a proper sharpening. That should make your shaves a bit more pleasurable. Congratulations on the first shave.

 

[Yorkie]

Cheers folks, still a bit sore - face feels tight on one side when I turn my head so must have taken a bit of skin off as well.

Currently trawling fleabay for a nice razor to go with the one I've got..

Keeping my eyes on the following in no particular order..

Wilhelm Noelle AMOR (looks quite nice and virtually unused)
Hugo Rader Gold Crown Model No. 44 (on a buy it now - though it's a bit much for me at the mo but looks vey nice..)
Original Schulze 13/16 - looks quite nice (as well as a few more similar ones inc. an ESPE)
A Vintage Matinée
and a Carl Schlieper - though this one might go for a bit
There are a few filies as well but they generally go for quite a bit in ex condition.

Just reading up at the mo on different makes to see which ones are good etc.

 

[NoFair]

Sounds like your off to a good start.

Funny you mention toothpaste, I was reading up on automotive polishing and some people recommended toothpaste. :weird:

Some people use it for stropping. The cheap stuff is suppose to be the best (most abrasive)

 

[Yorkie]

Some people use it for stropping. The cheap stuff is suppose to be the best (most abrasive)

I was thinking of using toothpaste to strop with but thought it would be frowned upon..

..glad someone else mentioned it first.

Toothpaste has also been used for bringing the brightness back to plastic especially on car lenses when they go dull.