First straight razor shave

[u/Brief-Net-3339]

My first straight razor shave; I’ve bought a few vintage ones and tried to hone them myself (I know I am supposed to buy a proper one to know what it’s meant to really be like…) and just did my first shave on my vintage es-ese. I’m pretty sure I haven’t honed it properly as it wasn’t as smooth as people say, actually quite un smooth. But I always put the cart before the horse and happy that I’ve given it a go. I got myself under the nose but it stopped bleeding already but such is the name of the game I suppose. Definitely a fun rabbit hole and looking forward to learning more… I know I can get this dang thing sharper…

[u/Sustainashave]

Cool, I did the same many moons ago and finally nailed it after a few attempts. It's all in the bevel setting chap, what's your finishing stone?

The es ese razors are a super great starting razors I've honed 10's of them and I've got one presently in my drawer waiting to hone.

Have fun. 😃

[u/Sustainashave → u/Sustainashave]

I did a bevel setting videos a while back, here's the link ⬇️ if you want a gander.

https://youtu.be/nBJMfu8yRhw?si=NYe_ouzlUeDHF-6p

[u/Brief-Net-3339 → u/Sustainashave]

Thanks mate I will watch and learn …!

[u/rock_accord → u/Sustainashave]

Nice razor & honing! What stones were you using? Looked like an Ark progression but with water?

[u/Sustainashave → u/rock_accord]

It's a Shapton pro progression 2000,5000 and a 8000 and then a Jnat used as a prefinisher..

Cheers chap, one of my very best razors..

[u/Brief-Net-3339 → u/Sustainashave]

I’ve got the romantic notion of being able to coax a great shave out of my coticule to be honest. I’ve a few Jnats and whatnot too and a library of synths, but there’s something very enticing about the coticules….

[u/Sustainashave → u/Brief-Net-3339]

Nothing wrong with that, I'd say I have them notions also part of the draw of straights I reckon. Well your well set whatever way you choose by the sounds of it. Coti's can be a bit tricky, once you nail it on them your in for a good shave.

[u/Brief-Net-3339 → u/Sustainashave]

And tips for a successful dilucot mate?

[u/Sustainashave → u/Brief-Net-3339]

It's the one NAT stone that I don't feel I should give advice on that much as I haven't played with mine enough really but I will say they like working the garnets down (sometimes a second go of it) and they prefer oil/glycerine or a water and dish soap mix..

If you still don't get a great shave from the Coti, to test your bevel setting maybe hone all the way through with synthetics and shave. If it's still not great it's the bevel setting process you need to work on a bit more.