Thread: Hello from The Netherlands

Hi,

While browsing the internet reading up on (kitchen) knife sharpening, I bumped into this great forum and got interested. After diligently reading and browsing SRP, I decided to take the plunge and ordered the necessary equipment to get started (the sight unseen deal, a DE razor, and some soaps).
My girlfriend however didn't like the idea of using a used razor (and I must admit it is rather stuffed with gunk, so I didn't use it (yet)) so she got me a beautiful Dovo Prima Klang for Xmas

So here I am, having about 8 SR shaves behind my belt and taking it at a leisure pace (without much blood so far, knock on wood). Coming from electrical shaving, it is quite a different experience.

It's been an enjoyable ride so far. I seem to have a sensitive skin (HAHA, I guess everybody thinks that in the beginning), so so far I shave wet about 3 times a week (and a DE when short on time).
So far I learned that Taylors of bond street sandalwood isn't for me (already get a reaction about 1 minute after putting it on my face). Currently I use Proraso shaving soap (Ultra sensitive skin). I easily get a flaky/peeling skin a day later (bad technique or reaction to the soap?), but recently experienced that Clinique M lotion helps to avoid that quite a bit.

My current quest is how to keep my razor sharp. I've been stropping diligently but most likely wrongly as the edge doesn't pass a HHT anymore. (pasted) balsawood didn't help either. So I'll have to (a) find out where I dulled the edge, and (b) find out how to get it back in shape (preferably by myself).

Thanks for all the great info on this forum and looking forward to learning and experiencing a lot!

Riba

(current setup: Dovo prima Klang, poor mans strop (x2), pasted balsawood, proraso ultra sentitive soap, Proraso Razor Burn Repair. Stones: 320 grit, Chosera 1K, Suehiro Rika 5K, (and a 12K chinese waterstone on its way)
)

PS Best moment so far: when my girlfriend asked on Sunday why I was going to shave again (as it was still smooth from Saturday).

Welcome Riba,

have you tried putting your gf in the shower, should clean right up.

There are videos to be found here and at YouTube showing how to strop properly.

The 320 grit, Chosera 1K, Suehiro Rika 5K are for restoring damaged or dull razors from Ebay/Marktplaats. You can touch up on your Chinese Guangxi (it's not 12k), it would help speed things up if you use a slurry and finish on water only. Did yours come with a small slurry stone?

Welcome Riba
have a great time here

Hi Piet,

I haven't tried to clean the razor yet, I enjoyed the Dovo too much I did however try an HHT on it, and it seems equally sharp as my Dovo at the moment. So my plan is to clean it (thanks for the tip on cleaning!) and attempting to get it sharp using the Chinese stone. If I manage I am happy and will attempt the Dovo, if not I will send out my Dovo for expert sharpening

The Chinese stone is still on its way from the UK, I assume it doesn't come with a slurry stone (but I do have a Nagura stone).

Thank you for your reply and help! Much appreciated

Riba (aka Jasper )

@kalerolf: thanks!!

You have a lot of company in the "Netherlands".........

http://straightrazorplace.com/member...rt=posts&pp=30

and "Holland"

http://straightrazorplace.com/member...rt=posts&pp=30

Originally Posted by randydance062449

You have a lot of company in the "Netherlands".........

http://straightrazorplace.com/member...rt=posts&pp=30.

and "Holland"

http://straightrazorplace.com/member...rt=posts&pp=30

Ah, good to know. I don't know anybody using even a DE, let alone a SR.

The razor cleaned up quite a bit, but I will have to work on it some more before I dare using it

Welkom, ik woon in Emmen. Eventually you'll need to hone a razor. Did it come shave-ready to you? When stropping: make absolutely sure the spine never loses touch with the leather. If your happen to be near Emmen I can teach you how to hone.

Originally Posted by Kees

Welkom, ik woon in Emmen. Eventually you'll need to hone a razor. Did it come shave-ready to you? When stropping: make absolutely sure the spine never loses touch with the leather. If your happen to be near Emmen I can teach you how to hone.

Hi Kees,

My razor did come shave-ready (from theinvisibleedge.co.uk). Thank you very much for your very kind offer, that's very much appreciated!! (Unfortunately, I am not near Emmen. I'll just give it a try myself first)

Kind regards,
Jasper

So your razor should be shave-ready. Make sure you strop it well. You can destroy an edge with one clumsy stroke on the leather.

Originally Posted by Kees

So your razor should be shave-ready. Make sure you strop it well. You can destroy an edge with one clumsy stroke on the leather.

Fortunately, I managed to get it back in shape with a pasted paddle strop. Back to stropping now Thanks for all the advice!