April 2022 Acquisitions

Not with me yet, but soon, a Carbon Cx-Oda razor, named after the Oda samurai clan of 16th century Japan
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Today's arrivals are unashamedly brought to you as accompaniments to the replacement fire-pit that arrived today. A metal bowl that helped my mental health no end during the initial lockdown - and still does to be honest. Planet Rock, flames and a beer in the garden are hard to beat of an evening, and it was around that time that I started on the DE shaving journey. A few months before joining the Forum, but Arko can transport me right back to how it all began. So at just over 7 quid for 100 blades, 3 Arko sticks and a new Turkish lemon cologne it's fair to say I have a big grin on my face! :love:

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Yep, I caved in to this beauty :love:
The most I ever paid for a razor but my love for carbon fibre and a generous price reduction made me grab this BST rare opportunity.
Currently on its way from Denmark and will soon join the queue of monthly razor selection.
 
Quite impressed with this.... Look better than I expected.
However, it's the first I've ever bought or handled for that matter so nothing really to compare it to.
Now the next issue is learning how to use the thing.
Any tips guys... (and throwing it in the bin is not an option :cautious:)
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@CjH
Nice one, glad you are gonna give those razors a go mate!

Tip 1, don't buy a razor from curly H. Not that you would, now you have those nice ones.

Tip 2, find a good height to mount a hook to hang it from. I like the far end at hip height but there isn't a rule, just what works for you. Some like it higher so they can see the leather better while stropping. I don't recommend stropping 'downwards' away from you but flat or a bit upwards is good.

Tip 3, if you have it on the back of the door make sure the door locks. You don't want someone opening the door while you have a razor in your hand!

Tip 4. Rub your hand on the leather to remove any debris and add a little 'palm oil' (your palm not the tree!)

Tip 5 It doesn't need to be pulled super taut. But not floppy either. A little bit of bowing gives you more feel.

Tip 6. Find the right grip. Open the razor fully, hold the shank between your thumb and forefinger, cup the scales in your hand and practice 'rolling' it between finger and thumb in the air before going to the strop. It needs to be comfortable in both orientations with minimal wrist movement.

Tip 7, and this is basically "the instructions": Most importantly, ALWAYS keep the spine in contact with the leather. Go slow to start. Turn the razor on its back keeping the spine on the leather at all times. Draw it back towards you with very light pressure, spine leading and with the heel forwards so the blade travels backwards at an angle. Stop well before the end/fold/rivets as you can undo all your work with one hit. Never let the spine come off the leather or you will round the edge. Speed will come gradually, naturally. If you try to go faster than you can, you will get out of sync and end up flipping the blade before or after you change direction and you'll put a nick in the strop.
You should draw the blade gently at an angle, coming gradually off the side (X-stroke), as if you want to wipe the blade down the right hand edge of the strop (assuming you sre right handed). That way, you will cover the entire length of the blade.

Aim for about 50 laps before and after the shave. One lap is both sides/directions. The exact number isn't important but I find you need at least 36 (dunno why but I do sets of 12, all a bit imperial!)

You don't need to count, but if you do, find a way to keep a rhythm with the strokes you make. For 1-9 I repeat myself up and back (one, one) and in the teens onwards I count (thir-(flip)-teen) etc. You need the steady rhythm more than you need to count.

Hopefully that helps. Enjoy.

Edit: this video pretty much demonstrates what I just wrote.
 
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hotmetal said:
@CjH
Nice one, glad you are gonna give those razors a go mate!

Tip 1, don't buy a razor from curly H. Not that you would, now you have those nice ones.

Tip 2, find a good height to mount a hook to hang it from. I like the far end at hip height but there isn't a rule, just what works for you. Some like it higher so they can see the leather better while stropping. I don't recommend stropping 'downwards' away from you but flat or a bit upwards is good.

Tip 3, if you have it on the back of the door make sure the door locks. You don't want someone opening the door while you have a razor in your hand!

Tip 4. Rub your hand on the leather to remove any debris and add a little 'palm oil' (your palm not the tree!)

Tip 5 It doesn't need to be pulled super taut. But not floppy either. A little bit of bowing gives you more feel.

Tip 6. Find the right grip. Open the razor fully, hold the shank between your thumb and forefinger, cup the scales in your hand and practice 'rolling' it between finger and thumb in the air before going to the strop. It needs to be comfortable in both orientations with minimal wrist movement.

Tip 7, and this is basically "the instructions": Most importantly, ALWAYS keep the spine in contact with the leather. Go slow to start. Turn the razor on its back keeping the spine on the leather at all times. Draw it back towards you with very light pressure, spine leading and with the heel forwards so the blade travels backwards at an angle. Stop well before the end/fold/rivets as you can undo all your work with one hit. Never let the spine come off the leather or you will round the edge. Speed will come gradually, naturally. If you try to go faster than you can, you will get out of sync and end up flipping the blade before or after you change direction and you'll put a nick in the strop.
You should draw the blade gently at an angle, coming gradually off the side (X-stroke), as if you want to wipe the blade down the right hand edge of the strop (assuming you sre right handed). That way, you will cover the entire length of the blade.

Aim for about 50 laps before and after the shave. One lap is both sides/directions. The exact number isn't important but I find you need at least 36 (dunno why but I do sets of 12, all a bit imperial!)

You don't need to count, but if you do, find a way to keep a rhythm with the strokes you make. For 1-9 I repeat myself up and back (one, one) and in the teens onwards I count (thir-(flip)-teen) etc. You need the steady rhythm more than you need to count.

Hopefully that helps. Enjoy.

Edit: this video pretty much demonstrates what I just wrote.
Click to expand...
Thanks buddy....
I bought a 3000/8000 stone too.... I started using the most generic of all the razors to see if I can hone and strop it.
Well..... I had a go with the razor this eve, it wasn't the most comfortable of shaves and I needed to finish off with a DE but I did manage to clean all the whiskers off both cheeks and a little bit off the neck.... However I think it needs to be much much sharper.
Is an 8000 enough or do I need to go further 10000? 12000?
Or is it down to stropping skills?
 
You can shave off 8k but most people like to finish on 12 or so. Full disclosure, I have not honed any of my razors yet, still waiting on a 12k I bought rather a long time ago on BST to get sent (realistically in vain) but I have kept my edges going on diamond coated balsa and bare leather. I have a Miniog Welsh slate which is said to be 8k which I intend to have a crack with, after seeing John June kill an edge then set the bevel on 1k diamond and go all the way to shave ready on the 8k slate, but even he said really after that you want to go to the premium slate or a 12k or Jnat.
 
Mr.Draper87 said:
Lovely brush. Mine came the other day. Absolutely stunning brushes.
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Yeah they are superb i have one already
I’m sure i seen yours last week and it’s a beauty.
That’s me got 3 coming.
To be fair i was a we bit annoyed.
I bought two then 3 days later he brought out the f15
surely he could have delayed my shipping by 2 days to give me the updated version.
Never mind iv got it in this brush so no dramas
 
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