Pulled the trigger

[House Boy]

After fooling around sharpening a sr from my uncle the barber I got after his passing over 55 years ago, a Leader Lee MFG Co Chicago, I ordered a Ralf Aust 6/8 American point Bismarck to begin SR shaving.
I got the Leader sharp but waiting for Tony Miller strop and 12000 stone to bring it up to try using.

 

[Wid]

Is it shave ready? If it needs a bit of work a 12K won’t be able to get it shave ready.

 

[House Boy]

Is it shave ready? If it needs a bit of work a 12K won’t be able to get it shave ready.

If you’re asking about the Leader, no not shave ready. If that is what you’re talking about what would you suggest. And actually this old blade is in pretty good condition, no rust or pitting even on edge which surprises me.

 

[Wid]

You can try your 12k but without seeing the condition it would hard to say. You might have to send it to be fully honed. If you’re in the south suburbs of Chicago I’d hone it for you, no charge.

 

[House Boy]

You can try your 12k but without seeing the condition it would hard to say. You might have to send it to be fully honed. If you’re in the south suburbs of Chicago I’d hone it for you, no charge.

Again I was just playing with it and practicing honing. I also just took a dish scrubber to it and was able to bring it back to life a little. Because I don’t really intend to use that is why I bought the the new one. I may take up your generous offer after trying the 12000 stone which will be in another couple weeks. Btw this oldie is a 5/8. Love to pm you when time comes.
I’m north of you by 80 miles.

 

[Wid]

Again I was just playing with it and practicing honing. I also just took a dish scrubber to it and was able to bring it back to life a little. Because I don’t really intend to use that is why I bought the the new one. I may take up your generous offer after trying the 12000 stone which will be in another couple weeks. Btw this oldie is a 5/8. Love to pm you when time comes.
I’m north of you by 80 miles.

Please do.

 

[House Boy]

Please do.

My uncle was quite the creator back in the day and owning his straight holds a special place in my heart, so bringing it back to life is great.
As a side note my uncle dated one of the big beer heiress in Milwaukee

 

[Eshebert]

Damn man thought you may have killed a big buck. You can see what my minds on this time a year.

 

[House Boy]

Tried my new Ralf Aust this morning. Took my time and have fun with it on 2 days of sparse but wire hair. Used TOB grapefruit on top of layer of proraso pre shave to keep it slick. I’ve got a learning curve for sure. Puttsy shaving under nose, lower lip and jaw line also maybe cream wasn’t slick enough. Blade is supposed to be shave ready but I did give it a stropping before use. probably spend 20 minutes or more to complete shave, not as good as my DE but I have more practice to do. Being new to a SR I wouldn’t know what shave ready really is and maybe I needed more slickness because I did experience some irritation but not blood.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Get some 60x magnification, I like the Carson Mine Brite 60-100x at $15.

Look straight down on the edge, gently resting the scope on the edge or held just off it. If you see any shiny reflections, that is where the bevels are not meeting, micro-chips or a rolled edge.

If you have not mastered stropping, it is very easy to roll the edge, it will still shave just not at its max potential. The edge of a razor is so thin, that you can not see it unless you are looking at it with SEM magnification. It does not take much to roll or break it.

Keenness trumps lather quality, if a razor does not shave well, the first thing to look at is the edge and edge keenness, edge quality.

Yes, lather and soap/cream quality can improve a shave, but a properly honed and stropped razor should shave well and comfortably regardless of the lather.

Stropping can take some time to master, (get to the point where you are improving the edge with each lap). It is not uncommon for a new stropper to roll a pristine razor edge with a single stroke.

I advise folks who’s razors I have hone and stropped, to not strop the razor for the first shave. This way they will at least get one good shave from the edge and know it’s potential.

Looking straight down on the edge is one of the most conclusive, non-destructive ways to test an edge, (the whole edge) or pin-point an issue, if the edge does not perform as expected.

 

[Gamma]

If you think the practice razor is ready to see a 12k, you could try to shave with it now. Because if it isn't ready to cut whiskers now, then a 12k isn't gonna help. Sharpness is developed early on. 12k is the sprinkles on the cupcake.

I don't know what you are honing with, but if you haven't set the bevel correctly, it won't shave well. The bevel is the edge.
No bevel - no edge. Most of us use a 1k-ish stone for that work. If you can make it sharp enough on the 1k to make it shave decently enough, you're on your way.

 

[House Boy]

If you think the practice razor is ready to see a 12k, you could try to shave with it now. Because if it isn't ready to cut whiskers now, then a 12k isn't gonna help. Sharpness is developed early on. 12k is the sprinkles on the cupcake.

I don't know what you are honing with, but if you haven't set the bevel correctly, it won't shave well. The bevel is the edge.
No bevel - no edge. Most of us use a 1k-ish stone for that work. If you can make it sharp enough on the 1k to make it shave decently enough, you're on your way.

I haven't honed yet just a light strop on leather before use, and 12k stone still going through the mail system.

 

[A_Shaves_91]

@Wid will put a wicked nice edge on it for you if you decide to go that route (which I’d recommend).

You did well and got yourself a great all around workhorse SR in your Aust. I’ve found that 6/8 are my sweet spot - your preference may vary but it’s a great jumping off point. Echo what all these regulars / pros have said about your edge, the 12k really just being your finisher once the ground work is done at the lower grits and rolling your edge when learning to strop (ask me how I know… ).

You also did good getting a Tony Miller strop - it will be the gift (to yourself) that keeps giving for a long long time so long as you don’t gouge it with bad technique.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[House Boy]

2nd shave this morning with the Aust. Went well less irritated but still puttsy using right hand left hand. Strop is beautiful and got my 12000 stone today ahead of original received date. Instructions on stone in Japanese, my cat couldn’t translate either, so don’t know if it has to be soaked in water or just add a little water to use

 

[Wid]

Not sure what stone you bought. Naniwa is a splash and go

 

[House Boy]

Not sure what stone you bought. Naniwa is a splash and go

That is the one, thanks. Do you know if this stone needs flatting?

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

All stones need flattening, especially synthetic stones. Buy a good diamond plate. You can buy a decent 300/1000 plate for about $30.

The 12k Super Stone will require constant re lapping to remove the black swarf. Mr Clean melamine erasers help in keeping swarf under control, but you should lap before and after use.

The 12k is the Honda Accord, of razor hones, not the best, but they just work with a minimum of maintenance. A good hone to begin to learn to hone on.