New to straight razors

fl0w · 10-10-2008, 04:48 PM

Hey everyone, I'm new, this is my first post here at Straight Razor Place.
I've been into wet shaving since I started shaving, and for the past few years have really started to dabble in finer products (Just picked up Truefitt & Hills shave soap after using Williams mug soap for about a year, and I absolutely love it). I've decided to drop the Mach 20 or however many blades it has, and go with a straight. I picked up a new Thiers-Issard 5/8 blade from The Art of Shaving, payed a bit too much ($135 with plain black acrylic scales) but I much rather have held it in my hand and payed a little more then ordering online not knowing what it feels like.

So on to my question: I was told the blade is already honed. I'm not quite sure it is. I tried shaving, no cuts but not exactly a great shave either, but that very well might be my technique. I'm not sure what I'm looking for in the fingernail test and the thumb pad test. Would anyone be so kind as to explain how these are supposed to feel on a proper blade? Also, if I run the blade on the hairs on my arm or hand, should they be coming off fairly easily with a single stroke? Its clearly taking off some dead skin, but only cutting a few hairs.

I'm in the Westchester County area of NY, Yorktown Heights to be exact, and in NYC on weekdays. I was told to go to Westpfal Henry & Co Inc Cutlery to get honed. Is this the best place to go in my area?

Thanks!

Aquanin · 10-10-2008, 05:17 PM

Welcome!! Unfortunately that blade is not shave ready. They never are straight from the factory. I suggest you send it out to get it honed by a reputable person on this forum. And yes, You should be able to shave arm hairs off without any resistance.

tsenfw · 10-11-2008, 05:20 AM

Hi flow! I'm in CT and go to school in White plains. Nice to see someone local!

I agree with Aquanin about sending it out to a forum member. I just sent mine out to member, Russel Baldridge. I'll have to see how it is when it comes back to me.

Let me know if you need any help, straight are a world of their own when it comes to maintenance! Check out this link and try not to get overwhelmed.

The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving - Badger & Blade

gugi · 10-11-2008, 05:56 AM

Welcome to SRP!

It's hard to tell from the internet if your razor is honed well, or not, but generally they don't seem to be right out of the factory. By this I mean that while I could shave with some of the factory honed razors I've tried, I like them sharper and/or smoother.

I am not sure about the shop you're mentioning. Do a search on the forum and see if there is any information about it, i.e. if people have tried it and approve of them.

I would say the best is if one of the guys around you or in the city can take a look at it, or failing that perhaps mail it to one of the people who offer honing services.

xman · 10-11-2008, 06:04 AM

I wrote a thing on the standard tests a little while back. Hope it helps.

X

netsurfr · 10-11-2008, 10:37 PM

Welcome to SRP!
You have already received some good advice so I won't repeat any of it.

fl0w · 10-12-2008, 05:16 PM

Thanks for all the welcomes and tips! xman, that definitely helped me, and my razor is, as I figured, not shave ready.

Anyone in my area or in NYC that wouldn't mind showing me the honing ropes? If thats not possible I'm going to bring it to that Westpfal Henry & Co place this Tuesday, and will post on how successful my first real straight shave went

fl0w · 10-17-2008, 03:54 PM

So my TI is going to be honed Monday.
Apparently the 'honemiester' at Westpfal has been honing razors there for 30 years! (the way she said it also implied that hes been honing a long time before that as well). Hopefully I should get pretty good results