West Coast Shaving Hone

[Pistol]

Hi all,

i recently finished my second shave with my new Boker King that I purchased from WCS. Unfortunately, it tugged and pulled like crazy and left me with some gnarly razor burn on my neck. I know my technique is weak at best, but just for grins and giggles, I hovered the blade above my arm from wrist to elbow to see how we'll it would cut my arm hair. What I found was the blade cut some hairs, tugged a lot, and made a pinging noise all the way up as it tried to shear the hairs.

Is that normal for a shave ready blade? As I understand it, a sharp straight razor has no problems cutting through arm hair that way. Is it possible that they didn't sharpen my razor enough to be shave ready (as they claim their blades are)? Thanks!

 

[life2short1971]

For everybody it is different when cutting armhairs. If you had the blade nearly flat against your skin and it was tugging like crazy after good prep then the blade is most likely dull. Try stropping 100X and see if that helps. If not, have it honed.

 

[jpcwon]

Did you strop the blade before shaving with it by chance? Or did you just put it to your face straight out of the box?

 

[Kentos]

Everyone's hair is different, but it's pretty sharp if it catches hairs on the fly. Normally on a bevel set I have to contact skin to cut hairs at a minimum. Did you try this test prior to your shave?

 

[Pistol]

Everyone's hair is different, but it's pretty sharp if it catches hairs on the fly. Normally on a bevel set I have to contact skin to cut hairs at a minimum. Did you try this test prior to your shave?

I did not, I did strop about 25 times (I'm not a pro, but I stropped exactly as I saw in the instructional videos). So you're saying I should wet my arm and try to shave it with the razor? Sorry for the newbish questions, but I'm trying to figure out if it's all my technique's fault or if a full razor is contributing to my issues...

 

[Kentos]

For the most part whenever a new user has issue 9 out of 10 it is technique. The pulling sensation is often felt when the razor moves too slowly through the whiskers and catches on the shafts of hundreds of em. Add some speed and they cut right through. Also a too high angle tends to scrape more than cut, which can lead to pulling and razor burn.

Finally, the edge in the hands of a new shaver is remarkably short lived. In your case though it seems like it is still pretty sharp. A dull razor wouldn't cut arm hair at all. I would do at least 40 laps on your strop, taking care to not press too hard into be leather and take it slow.

Let us know how shave #3 goes

 

[Pistol]

For the most part whenever a new user has issue 9 out of 10 it is technique. The pulling sensation is often felt when the razor moves too slowly through the whiskers and catches on the shafts of hundreds of em. Add some speed and they cut right through. Also a too high angle tends to scrape more than cut, which can lead to pulling and razor burn.

Finally, the edge in the hands of a new shaver is remarkably short lived. In your case though it seems like it is still pretty sharp. A dull razor wouldn't cut arm hair at all. I would do at least 40 laps on your strop, taking care to not press too hard into be leather and take it slow.

Let us know how shave #3 goes

Thanks, will do. I've already been bitten by just about every acquisition disorder this hobby has to offer; I will get it right! I'll update y'all tomorrow on shave #3...

 

[Kentos]

Thanks, will do. I've already been bitten by just about every acquisition disorder this hobby has to offer; I will get it right! I'll update y'all tomorrow on shave #3...

There is always the 1/10 possibility too so keep that in mind too

 

[tomjr]

keep going do not give up, u will get there.

 

[Pistol]

There is always the 1/10 possibility too so keep that in mind too

So you're saying there's a chance!

Alright, so shave #3 today went really well! I stropped each side of the razor 50 times prior to the shave, and I think that made a big difference. I actually got a really close shave with relatively little irritation everywhere except for the hollows of my neck, which were still pretty good, but just not as smooth as the rest of my face. I was considering getting a DE razor, but not anymore! There's something about shaving with a straight razor that seems to be good for my soul. Thanks for tolerating my newbness!

 

[life2short1971]

And so begins his descent down the rabbit hole......

 

[Kentos]

Congrats! The shaves only get better and better.​

 

[jpcwon]

There's something about shaving with a straight razor that seems to be good for my soul.

BANG...hit the nail right on the head!!