09-03-2019, 11:31 AM
I've been using the carbon steel razor I spoke of on June 20th. I think I only used the Double Duck one time, and used the carbon blade another 3 or 4 times since then, including yesterday.
The Only maintenance on this razor has been stropping on my palm about 10 times yesterday. I thought it was tugging slightly after the first cheek, but certainly seemed better after palm swiping. I shaved after a normal 5 minute shower without any soap or anything on my face. Still worked fine IMHO. Wasn't unpleasant in any meaningful way. Remember, this blade totally failed on media, but has cut a lot of whiskers.
What I find acceptable is a razor that gives me a pretty smooth shave in one pass. There are usually a few normal places I have to touch up, but that's probably to be expected for everyone. My razor expert friend, Tom Blodget of Jenda Industries, always shaves twice, I believe. Once down, re-lather, second pass up. His standards are Way beyond mine. His face is literally perfect after a shave (yes, I felt it), but it takes him a long time. Pretty sure he has a bunch of Youtube videos. He'll shave his entire head with a kitchen knife too, even with a ceramic kitchen knife he sharpened. He is truly a Master Honer!
At any rate, I think a straight razor is a lot more like a regular disposable blade than guys probably think. I mean I can shave four times in two months without doing Anything to the razor. I don't know anyone who neglects their straight razor on purpose, just to see what happens, or minimizes their daily "shaving experience". I also don't know many people who could care less about shaving than I do. Especially among straight razor users.
I shave with a straight razor for one reason. It does not matter how long your beard is. Makes no difference to your razor, which makes a huge difference when your beard is heavy every time.
I guess I'll just keep posting my experience in hope of feedback...
The Only maintenance on this razor has been stropping on my palm about 10 times yesterday. I thought it was tugging slightly after the first cheek, but certainly seemed better after palm swiping. I shaved after a normal 5 minute shower without any soap or anything on my face. Still worked fine IMHO. Wasn't unpleasant in any meaningful way. Remember, this blade totally failed on media, but has cut a lot of whiskers.
What I find acceptable is a razor that gives me a pretty smooth shave in one pass. There are usually a few normal places I have to touch up, but that's probably to be expected for everyone. My razor expert friend, Tom Blodget of Jenda Industries, always shaves twice, I believe. Once down, re-lather, second pass up. His standards are Way beyond mine. His face is literally perfect after a shave (yes, I felt it), but it takes him a long time. Pretty sure he has a bunch of Youtube videos. He'll shave his entire head with a kitchen knife too, even with a ceramic kitchen knife he sharpened. He is truly a Master Honer!
At any rate, I think a straight razor is a lot more like a regular disposable blade than guys probably think. I mean I can shave four times in two months without doing Anything to the razor. I don't know anyone who neglects their straight razor on purpose, just to see what happens, or minimizes their daily "shaving experience". I also don't know many people who could care less about shaving than I do. Especially among straight razor users.
I shave with a straight razor for one reason. It does not matter how long your beard is. Makes no difference to your razor, which makes a huge difference when your beard is heavy every time.
I guess I'll just keep posting my experience in hope of feedback...