Hi Mark, My Uncle was an old fashioned Barber. He died about 8 years ago at the grand age of 101. He used to hone his own straight razors and he told me that you draw the blade towards you on the strop with the sharp edge away from you. Then you roll the razor on its spine and draw it away from you. This way you don't cut the strop. He used to use fine carborundum paste on his strops. Obviously in his day there were no straight razors with replacement blades. I think you are very brave even trying a straight razor!! I mean practicing to get it right could give you a really nasty cut. 😖😖. I use antique Carpentry tools in my work and sharpen all my chisels, saws and plane blades. I have also sharpened one of my Samurai katana's. Dave.
Your Uncle had a real good innings. 👍 Fantastic. I got a nasty cut on my chin once: I lifted the blade off my face, to see how I was doing. As I was looking in the mirror, I lifted my chin into the razor. It got me good. 😀
I love this soap! The old spice smells take me back to the 90s i wish I could find something that smells like lynx Java. Oh well. Nice straight razor shave . I think your very brave for using that and talking as the same time lol 😃👍🪒😎
Certainly been awhile since we’ve seen a straight razor shave, you certainly handled it with aplomb, Mark. That blade was definitely sharpened to perfection.
Thank you, Paul. I felt like a champion just because my finally managed to sharpen the thing. It was a great shave. My Gold Dollar came today and my stone should arrive soon. Let the challenge begin 😀
Hi Mark. You really created a wonderful image in my mind when you said; "spice market in Marrakesh, with warm African winds blowing spice scent through the air." I was instantly transported to Morocco, inhaling the strong spice aroma and adjusting the tassel of my deep red fez! Great shave, mate! Have a brilliant week.
I'm sure I'm doing you a huge disservice, but the shopkeeper from the children's program Mr. Ben sprung to mind 😂 Sorry mate. I have literally no idea where that childhood memory emerged from. What a strange thing. It was the mention of the fez. You have a brilliant week too, David. And if you meet someone called Mr. Ben, your in the Twilight Zone. 😮
Hi Mark- Great Stirling Monday shave; thank you! Very nicely done with the straight razor- kudos, and the scent on the soap sounds quite nice. And here’s something to make you chuckle- I came home from work and sat down to watch your Monday video. I opened RUclips and passed by your video twice, thinking that the thumbnail was for one of the several cooking channels I also subscribe to and not realizing it was yours! I did have a good laugh at my expense! Sounds like you also got a very nice deal on the stone. Well, I hope you have a great week ahead. Take good care and be safe and be well. All the best, my friend!
Sorry about that Mike! 😃 I was looking for some spice. That is quite amusing. I am going to bake a fruit cake this weekend and there will be a little nutmeg in it. Take it easy, my friend. I hope you're keeping well.
There is definitely some odd extra feeling of achievement when getting a good shave from a straight or even a shavette. Extra kudos for gearing up to tackle all of the extra “admin” involved in stropping and honing!
@@FriendshipShaving Plus of course your shaving your reflection in a mirror. I think it would be the left side of my face that would really stump me. It's fascinating to watch though, sort of keeps you on the edge of your seat!
I hope so Lee. Although it's very difficult to judge size on the internet. I bought a bag of sprouts for Christmas and thought they were cheap. When they came, there were 10 sprouts in the bag! They weren't that cheap after all 😉
Well done Mark. It's good to hear you'll be using straights some,. It does add a little bit of a challenge and excitement to thing:) It's awesome that you turned that blade around on the finishing stone. Thanks so much for the mention as well. Wishing you continued success!
Thank you, sir. You are more than welcome, for the mention. I was just browsing the interest, looking at straight razors. I could've spent an awful lot of money! 😊
Great shave Mark! It would be interesting to see this soap compared to vintage Old Spice as I believe this is Stirlings take on the original Shulton scent. Have a great day Mate!
I think it is and I will have to get together to compare the two. It is much stronger scented initially than my original, mind you mine is very old! Either way, I love Old Spiciness! Take good care, mate.
Hi Mark, that looked like a very enjoyable shave. That soap sounds interesting. I may have to add it to my list lol. I am seriously considering learning to hone my own straights as, like you, I think I might be dulling the razors when I strop them. The finishing stone idea sounds great. I might just follow that path first. I will have to watch Dr Matt to get some ideas👍
I think I definitely was although, it was much more noticeable when I had a full hollow ground razor, rather than a wedge. Dr. Matt's videos are really interesting. It's easy to spend money though.
I tried this soap & also have Old Spice Classic after shave. It's good. But I was more impressed in "Le Piment de la Vie(LPV ; The Spice of Life)", which is the flagship soap of Cattie's Bubbles.
Nice shave Mark. I also had a Stirling shave today, and interestingly, I used the exact same brush as you did (thoroughly enjoying that particular brush).
Fantastic! It is a lovely brush. I think I said before that purple is not my favourite colour but I love this one. It kind of shimmers when the light hits it and with the sort of brown lines, it reminds me of a precious gemstone.
Hi Mark, Good shave mate! I remember the first shave you did with a cutthroat. You have come on in leaps and bounds since that video. Your technique is spot on! You just need to improve your stropping and I think you will be there. It’s just practice. So my advice to you is to stick at it as you’ve come this far. Take care mate. All the best.
Thank you, Michael. That was really nice of you and it has given me a boost. Cor, I remember that first shave! I've ordered a cheap Gold Dollar, so I can really play around with my new stone. I've never managed to get my razor that sharp before, so I must have done something right. Mind you, I sliced my finger cleaning it! 😀 Take care. Have a great week.
That really must have felt unimaginably exquisite for you to break into song at the end! I'll stick to the very infrequent shavette shave for myself,,,, ;-)
Yay, straight razor shave! I've stopped myself just short of getting into the real thing. I think I would have no temperance at all once I started buying strops and stones and the like. Maybe later. I do love my shavettes though, so much I hardly use a DE on my face anymore. What a great meditation. Sounds like you got yourself a great edge this time too- congrats!
That is what I did the first time around, with razors. I bought a few before I knew how to use them. It's great that there are so many different ways to shave, that we can explore.
The problem with trying to bring back an edge on a finishing stone when the razor has been owned by someone else is. He's may have taped the spine. If you take it to the stone without tape you'll kill the edge. Or vice versa. That's a nice Jo Rogers you have there Mark. £20 for a coticule is an amazing price Mark. That was a nice straight razor shave Mark.
Good point! I did tape my Jo Rodgers, it was just by luck as I had forgotten how it was previously honed by Jamie. I know it was cheap. It's only a small stone, of course, but it'll get me started. I'm looking forward to it. I did enjoy that shave, the edge was great. Happy day 😊 Take care, Jim. All the best.
That's very true, it kind of does; it was quite accidental. I do like the colour blue though. I just need the music, from the old advertisement to play when I the lid from the bottle. That would be good.
oh yes i can see that little glint in the eye there 🤩🤩 you enjoyed that one i can tell . back in the straight game . top work to . razor looked fantastic. do yourself a favour get or make a 3 inch strop . just makes it so much easier and no pressure on that blade when stroping . wade and butcher is a wedge i believe. good tip i got was magic marker the edge of the blade then a couple of laps on the stone . you can really see were that blade touch’s the stone and what parts do not so much . again don’t lean on it i was to heavy when i started . but am made up for you mate . you will wish you had not given so many of your straights away 😂😂😂😂 no razor burn in that shave 🤪🤪🤪🤪
I did enjoy that one! The edge made all the difference. I bought 2" leather. I can't see what I'm doing wrong with the strop, but practice and the ability to bring my blade back will get me there. Magic marker! Great idea! Thanks.
Really enjoyed today’s shave and chat Mark it’s great to see you use a straight again pleased the finishing stone worked for you honing is something I would like to get into in the near future what finishing stone do you have out of interest ? To say you’ve had a break from straights for a while you’re looking quite proficient, some interesting info regarding the stones
Hi mate. I have a Vermio, which is meant to be 12-15,000 or there abouts. It was about £70, I think. It's quarried in Greece but, for some reason, I bought one from The States 😊 Yes, I guess the technique is in my brain. It's strange how that works. Cheers. All the best.
@@FriendshipShaving stone sounds great Mark I’ve just bitten the bullet as a great deal came up on the BST for a naniwa 12k, won’t be rushing to use it just yet but will be looking forward to having a go in the near future, hope I manage to pick it up as you seem to have. Looking for to your new journey maybe some honing chats could be discussed in the Sunday sit down ! All the best
A Naniwa 12k. Nice one, they are quite expensive aren't they? I really had a good look at synthetics, the lower ones are okay in price but if you bought a set they go up in price, the higher the grit. Then there are ceramic stones, stones on glass. Way too much money! I'll definitely be doing some honing videos, so I can learn. Why not? It'll be interesting. A sort of beginners experience of honing thing.
@@FriendshipShaving the Naniwa 12k is £85 I got it for less than half that hardly used from a very genuine and trustworthy guy on the forum who has moved to naturals and no longer uses it super happy about it. Can’t wait to see some videos on you’re journey will be following along with you. Think I’m going to go with the naniwa 8k 5k and 1K for my starting set but the finisher will be a great starter for me to have a play with. May see if I can hold out and if any others come up will snap them up instead of buying all new such a huge rabbit hole the straights
Impressive straight razor shave. I've thought about shaving with one. However, thinking is one thing, and doing is another. I get enough chances to nick my face with a DE razor. So, that settles that. But I will add the Stirling Spice to my wish list.
Well said Bart! I've thought about it and that's as far as I got. Just too scary for me. I'd probably sneeze halfway down one side and lop one of my ears off or something! 😂😂. I watched Barber Turko on RUclips taking off his 6 month old beard with a cutthroat! Amazing! And it was a very big beard too!!
I've heard of these stones. Like anywhere, there are different grades of Arkansas stones, which was not something that ever occurred to me util very recently. I think this will be a very interesting experience.
I haven't Stuart. There are a lot of really fantastic American Soap maker's that I haven't tried. The cost of getting them to the UK is expensive, of course. When I work through my samples, I'll be looking to get more samples from the States.
Mark, honestly do you consider the straight razor results more BBS than safety razors, it is worth the potential risk of nicks n cuts? Frankly, I've given up on straights. Cheers Achim+
No mate. Unless you've been honing, and shaving with, your straight razor for many years, I think a machine sharpened safety razor, will probably trump it. This is the best shave I've had - It only took me about two years and there's no guarantee I'll do it again, next time. I'd stick to your safety razor 😊 Less hassle less expense, less blood. I hope Susan and yourself and are both well, mate.
@@FriendshipShaving Susan sends her wishes, too and thanks for yr honest opinion. I think a straight belongs more into the hands of a barber, he can see n change the angles btr as well. Cheers fm all of us in Singapore+
Fair enough, my friend. It has taken a long time to have a shave that good. A safety razor is much easier and, had I used one, I wouldn't have sliced my finger cleaning it 😂 Ouch.
Yep, I‘m just not patient enough for this type of razor and would cut myself for sure. Seems the razor striked back since it couldn’t cut you while shaving it took the chance with your finger 😜 My crazy German humor, right. Take care Mark 😉
Start off by honing hollows, wedges are more difficult, my stones are synthetic 1000/4000 & 6000/8000, apart from finisher whch is Welsh slate: Snowdonia wich is about 15000 with slurry. Unless the bevel needs re setting , l use the 8000 and Welsh slate,. I normally strop 80 couarse leather and 80 on fine leather. With less strop rounds before and after shaving. I used the Dr Matt and Matti tomato technique to test for keeness. I only straight razor my face and safety razor my head every other day. Cutting all the BS it's just rubbing metal on rock. I use Crox when the razor needs to be touched up and not honed. All the best Mark.
Thank you for your advice, Roy. It is just rubbing metal on rock but it took me ages to get a good edge on my finishing stone. I thought they had sold me a broken one. I'm in no hurry, this time around. I just want to get it right and the Gold Dollar I have bought is a hollow ground razor. When it all arrives, I'll be ready to start my new adventure.
@@FriendshipShaving Mark, forgot to mention, use electrical tape on the spine to prevent damage and use light pressure when sharpening and lighter pressure when honing. Hope this helps you.
@@FriendshipShaving I remember seeing my Uncles cutthroat razors. I was about 10 and he took me to his barber shop. The blades of his straight razors tapered down to paper thin steel, very easily damaged. Maybe that's why he only used a strop with fine carborundum paste on it. I remember watching him strop one of the razors. Wish I'd paid more attention. But I could look but not touch any of his razors. Dave.
Thinking of trying one myself but one that you clip half a DE blade in. Are that type inferior to the type you are using? Interested in your thoughts on the difference. Also it would be great if you tube shaver would nominate each other with an idea of mine which is to whip up a lather in a reversed half grapefruit peel. Zingy!
No, I don't think they are inferior and lots of people shave with that type of razor and really enjoy them. The benefit is that you can choise your favourite razor blade. I prefer the Feather style razor, either the folding or non folding type, simply because the blade is a little longer and more like a traditional straight razor. I do find the Feather blades feel a bit different from the straight I used. I like the grapefruit idea, but I'm not a fan of grapefruit! I'll see if I can get a big orange.
I don't know what a Pomello is, Paul. I'm going to have to look it up; I've never seen one in the supermarket. Ah, interesting. It' called Citrus Maxima and tastes like a grapefruit. There was a great soap made by Phoenix and Beau, called Citrus Maximus. I bet it had Pomello in it.
Dave, I think these days it has to do with hygiene. They have to toss the blade once they have shave one person. So, the Feather gives the feel of a traditional straight razor barbershop shave with the hygiene.
Hi Dan. Did you mean while you were using them or on your skin in the post shave. I'm guessing the latter. Post shave feels nice for me but I may have a tendency to slightly dry skin. How's the house coming along?
@@FriendshipShaving Post shave clogged my pores and made me break out. I had a few different samples from them and they all did this. Im a greasy Italian. I dont need the fats they offer. You can tell its a quality soap though, and I did like the scent. Works well with modern Old spice splash. House is almost ready. Got 60 panels of sheetrock hung. I wont be doing the kitchen or bathroom this year. The living space is enough. Im ready to not live in this caravan anymore.
Fair enough mate, bit of a shame but we are so spoiled for choice, these days, I suppose it hardly matters. Glad to read that the house is coming along. That's a lot of work. Keeps you busy eh! Take care buddy, it'll nice to get out of the caravan. ☺
Hi Mark,
My Uncle was an old fashioned Barber. He died about 8 years ago at the grand age of 101. He used to hone his own straight razors and he told me that you draw the blade towards you on the strop with the sharp edge away from you. Then you roll the razor on its spine and draw it away from you. This way you don't cut the strop. He used to use fine carborundum paste on his strops. Obviously in his day there were no straight razors with replacement blades. I think you are very brave even trying a straight razor!! I mean practicing to get it right could give you a really nasty cut. 😖😖. I use antique Carpentry tools in my work and sharpen all my chisels, saws and plane blades. I have also sharpened one of my Samurai katana's.
Dave.
Your Uncle had a real good innings. 👍 Fantastic. I got a nasty cut on my chin once: I lifted the blade off my face, to see how I was doing. As I was looking in the mirror, I lifted my chin into the razor. It got me good. 😀
@@FriendshipShaving Oooooh nasty! That's what scares me Mark! The slightest slip of the hand or loss of concentration could be really nasty!
Now that's a manly man shave Mark. Stirling Spice and a straight razor. Bravo!
Thank you, my friend. Great 😀
I love this soap! The old spice smells take me back to the 90s i wish I could find something that smells like lynx Java. Oh well. Nice straight razor shave . I think your very brave for using that and talking as the same time lol 😃👍🪒😎
Yeah, a couple of times in the video, I thought I'd better stop waving it around so much, while talking. It could have ended badly.
Certainly been awhile since we’ve seen a straight razor shave, you certainly handled it with aplomb, Mark. That blade was definitely sharpened to perfection.
Thank you, Paul. I felt like a champion just because my finally managed to sharpen the thing. It was a great shave. My Gold Dollar came today and my stone should arrive soon. Let the challenge begin 😀
Hi Mark. You really created a wonderful image in my mind when you said; "spice market in Marrakesh, with warm African winds blowing spice scent through the air." I was instantly transported to Morocco, inhaling the strong spice aroma and adjusting the tassel of my deep red fez! Great shave, mate! Have a brilliant week.
I'm sure I'm doing you a huge disservice, but the shopkeeper from the children's program Mr. Ben sprung to mind 😂 Sorry mate. I have literally no idea where that childhood memory emerged from. What a strange thing. It was the mention of the fez. You have a brilliant week too, David. And if you meet someone called Mr. Ben, your in the Twilight Zone. 😮
Well done Mark, I would not be able to maintain a straight razor, I'm unable to even get a kitchen knife sharp. Keep safe Mark.
Thank you. I have a little machine for the kitchen knives. 😃
I enjoyed the little ditty at the end Mark 😉. Excellent shave mate and I’m looking forward to the next shave.
Thanks Jake. I thought I'd edited me humming out. Good job I wasn't talking to myself 😀 I hope you're having a good week.
Hello Mark, nice shave. Have a good week.
Thank you, pal. You have a great week yourself. Keep well.
Well done on a great shave, mate.
I reckon that before too long, people will be touting the Macy edge on their channels😉
You never know.
I not brave enough to attempt a straight razor, bravo 👏
Thank you, Steve. It's a lot of expense and hassle and the most dangerous part, for me, is cleaning the darn thing. I sliced my finger again!
Hi Mark- Great Stirling Monday shave; thank you! Very nicely done with the straight razor- kudos, and the scent on the soap sounds quite nice. And here’s something to make you chuckle- I came home from work and sat down to watch your Monday video. I opened RUclips and passed by your video twice, thinking that the thumbnail was for one of the several cooking channels I also subscribe to and not realizing it was yours! I did have a good laugh at my expense! Sounds like you also got a very nice deal on the stone. Well, I hope you have a great week ahead. Take good care and be safe and be well. All the best, my friend!
Sorry about that Mike! 😃 I was looking for some spice. That is quite amusing. I am going to bake a fruit cake this weekend and there will be a little nutmeg in it. Take it easy, my friend. I hope you're keeping well.
Nice video again. Very interesting indeed. Good luck with your sharpening system and honing. 👍
Thank you Andrew. Fingers crossed 😃
There is definitely some odd extra feeling of achievement when getting a good shave from a straight or even a shavette. Extra kudos for gearing up to tackle all of the extra “admin” involved in stropping and honing!
Yeah! ......I'm chuffed if I get the razor blade out of its wrapping without cutting myself!! 🤣🤣
Thank you, Barry. There is definitely an extra feeling of achievement - it is strangely satisfyingly 😊
@@FriendshipShaving Plus of course your shaving your reflection in a mirror. I think it would be the left side of my face that would really stump me. It's fascinating to watch though, sort of keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you.A very skillful shave!
Thank you very much. It took a bit of practice to come this far.
Love it, its nice to see you with a straight razor, nice shave, greetings from Belgium Thomas.
Hey, thank you Thomas. Did I pronounce coticule correctly? I hope so! I'm looking forward to trying my Belgian stone.
@@FriendshipShaving yes you did it good 🙂
It sounds like you snagged yourself a real bargain with that stone. Fantastic.
I hope so Lee. Although it's very difficult to judge size on the internet. I bought a bag of sprouts for Christmas and thought they were cheap. When they came, there were 10 sprouts in the bag! They weren't that cheap after all 😉
@@FriendshipShaving to be fair, that's ten more than you needed
I love my sprouts. You've been spoiled with that fancy foreign food 😀
@@leehaseley2164 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍
@@FriendshipShaving I have always detested sprouts🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Very well done. Best straight shave ever!
Thank you, my friend. It was great. I really enjoyed it and it was the sharpest I have got my blade. Woo Hoo 🎉😀
Well done Mark. It's good to hear you'll be using straights some,. It does add a little bit of a challenge and excitement to thing:) It's awesome that you turned that blade around on the finishing stone. Thanks so much for the mention as well. Wishing you continued success!
Thank you, sir. You are more than welcome, for the mention. I was just browsing the interest, looking at straight razors. I could've spent an awful lot of money! 😊
It's great to hear that you managed to get a sharp smooth edge on your straight, Mark. Well done!
Finally, mate. 😃
Great shave Mark! It would be interesting to see this soap compared to vintage Old Spice as I believe this is Stirlings take on the original Shulton scent. Have a great day Mate!
I think it is and I will have to get together to compare the two. It is much stronger scented initially than my original, mind you mine is very old! Either way, I love Old Spiciness! Take good care, mate.
@@FriendshipShaving I think it would be a great idea! And stronger?? On man that would be awesome, I as well love the Shulton Old Spice goodness!!
Hi Mark, that looked like a very enjoyable shave. That soap sounds interesting. I may have to add it to my list lol. I am seriously considering learning to hone my own straights as, like you, I think I might be dulling the razors when I strop them. The finishing stone idea sounds great. I might just follow that path first. I will have to watch Dr Matt to get some ideas👍
I think I definitely was although, it was much more noticeable when I had a full hollow ground razor, rather than a wedge. Dr. Matt's videos are really interesting. It's easy to spend money though.
Back in the Den for a stirling Monday!
Oh yeah! 😀
I tried this soap & also have Old Spice Classic after shave.
It's good. But I was more impressed in "Le Piment de la Vie(LPV ; The Spice of Life)", which is the flagship soap of Cattie's Bubbles.
I've only tried a few Cathy's Bubbles soaps, terrific scents but unfortunately they don't seem to like me. I wish they did .
Nice shave Mark.
I also had a Stirling shave today, and interestingly, I used the exact same brush as you did (thoroughly enjoying that particular brush).
Fantastic! It is a lovely brush. I think I said before that purple is not my favourite colour but I love this one. It kind of shimmers when the light hits it and with the sort of brown lines, it reminds me of a precious gemstone.
@@FriendshipShaving Totally agree with you about the colours reminding of a gemstone.
Hi Mark,
Good shave mate!
I remember the first shave you did with a cutthroat.
You have come on in leaps and bounds since that video.
Your technique is spot on!
You just need to improve your stropping and I think you will be there.
It’s just practice.
So my advice to you is to stick at it as you’ve come this far.
Take care mate.
All the best.
Thank you, Michael. That was really nice of you and it has given me a boost. Cor, I remember that first shave! I've ordered a cheap Gold Dollar, so I can really play around with my new stone. I've never managed to get my razor that sharp before, so I must have done something right. Mind you, I sliced my finger cleaning it! 😀 Take care. Have a great week.
That really must have felt unimaginably exquisite for you to break into song at the end! I'll stick to the very infrequent shavette shave for myself,,,, ;-)
I really thought I had edited that part out! It's a good job I was humming and not singing! 🤩
Great shave. That Spice is a favorite of mine also!
It's beautiful! The den smelled terrific. I have Frozen Tundra and also Tea Tree to try. I'm not sure about those!
@@FriendshipShaving I have Rose and Nag Champa. Both smell great!
Nag Champa - that's a name and a half.
Hello, Mark ✋🙂👍💈 nice shave! I've got straight razor, but i scare to use it..
You can do it, my friend. You could start just on your cheek until you get comfortable.
Yay, straight razor shave! I've stopped myself just short of getting into the real thing. I think I would have no temperance at all once I started buying strops and stones and the like. Maybe later. I do love my shavettes though, so much I hardly use a DE on my face anymore. What a great meditation. Sounds like you got yourself a great edge this time too- congrats!
That is what I did the first time around, with razors. I bought a few before I knew how to use them. It's great that there are so many different ways to shave, that we can explore.
The problem with trying to bring back an edge on a finishing stone when the razor has been owned by someone else is. He's may have taped the spine. If you take it to the stone without tape you'll kill the edge. Or vice versa.
That's a nice Jo Rogers you have there Mark. £20 for a coticule is an amazing price Mark. That was a nice straight razor shave Mark.
Good point! I did tape my Jo Rodgers, it was just by luck as I had forgotten how it was previously honed by Jamie. I know it was cheap. It's only a small stone, of course, but it'll get me started. I'm looking forward to it. I did enjoy that shave, the edge was great. Happy day 😊 Take care, Jim. All the best.
Hi Mark. I have actually been to a spice market in Marrakech. I does smell wonderfully.
Get out! 😀 Have you really, Johan? I knew you were well travelled; that is terrific. Wouldn't it be something if it smelled like Old Spice.
Nice shave and soap. Your wallpaper has some resemblance to the old school old spice logo like your bottle and the mug.
That's very true, it kind of does; it was quite accidental. I do like the colour blue though. I just need the music, from the old advertisement to play when I the lid from the bottle. That would be good.
oh yes i can see that little glint in the eye there 🤩🤩 you enjoyed that one i can tell . back in the straight game . top work to . razor looked fantastic. do yourself a favour get or make a 3 inch strop . just makes it so much easier and no pressure on that blade when stroping . wade and butcher is a wedge i believe. good tip i got was magic marker the edge of the blade then a couple of laps on the stone . you can really see were that blade touch’s the stone and what parts do not so much . again don’t lean on it i was to heavy when i started . but am made up for you mate . you will wish you had not given so many of your straights away 😂😂😂😂 no razor burn in that shave 🤪🤪🤪🤪
got so exited about the razor forgot to say . that is a magnificent soap .
I did enjoy that one! The edge made all the difference. I bought 2" leather. I can't see what I'm doing wrong with the strop, but practice and the ability to bring my blade back will get me there. Magic marker! Great idea! Thanks.
Really enjoyed today’s shave and chat Mark it’s great to see you use a straight again pleased the finishing stone worked for you honing is something I would like to get into in the near future what finishing stone do you have out of interest ? To say you’ve had a break from straights for a while you’re looking quite proficient, some interesting info regarding the stones
Hi mate. I have a Vermio, which is meant to be 12-15,000 or there abouts. It was about £70, I think. It's quarried in Greece but, for some reason, I bought one from The States 😊 Yes, I guess the technique is in my brain. It's strange how that works. Cheers. All the best.
@@FriendshipShaving stone sounds great Mark I’ve just bitten the bullet as a great deal came up on the BST for a naniwa 12k, won’t be rushing to use it just yet but will be looking forward to having a go in the near future, hope I manage to pick it up as you seem to have. Looking for to your new journey maybe some honing chats could be discussed in the Sunday sit down ! All the best
A Naniwa 12k. Nice one, they are quite expensive aren't they? I really had a good look at synthetics, the lower ones are okay in price but if you bought a set they go up in price, the higher the grit. Then there are ceramic stones, stones on glass. Way too much money! I'll definitely be doing some honing videos, so I can learn. Why not? It'll be interesting. A sort of beginners experience of honing thing.
@@FriendshipShaving the Naniwa 12k is £85 I got it for less than half that hardly used from a very genuine and trustworthy guy on the forum who has moved to naturals and no longer uses it super happy about it. Can’t wait to see some videos on you’re journey will be following along with you. Think I’m going to go with the naniwa 8k 5k and 1K for my starting set but the finisher will be a great starter for me to have a play with. May see if I can hold out and if any others come up will snap them up instead of buying all new such a huge rabbit hole the straights
Impressive straight razor shave. I've thought about shaving with one. However, thinking is one thing, and doing is another. I get enough chances to nick my face with a DE razor. So, that settles that. But I will add the Stirling Spice to my wish list.
Well said Bart! I've thought about it and that's as far as I got. Just too scary for me. I'd probably sneeze halfway down one side and lop one of my ears off or something! 😂😂. I watched Barber Turko on RUclips taking off his 6 month old beard with a cutthroat! Amazing! And it was a very big beard too!!
Ooh - sneezing! Or dropping it, while you're shaving naked! 😮
Nice one Bart.
@@FriendshipShaving Nah!!! I'd wear a leather apron!! 🤣🤣🤣. Coo! Just thinking about it made me eyes water!! 😖😖
nice shave i too use a straight razor. i use arkansas stones to hone with
I've heard of these stones. Like anywhere, there are different grades of Arkansas stones, which was not something that ever occurred to me util very recently. I think this will be a very interesting experience.
Good shave , I own excetive man , arkadia, Barbershop , all good 👌🪒🧴💈
Barbershop is lovely. There are an awful lot of good scents from Stirling.
@@FriendshipShaving there sure is , have you tried moon soaps products? Very good mate 👌🪒🧴💈
I haven't Stuart. There are a lot of really fantastic American Soap maker's that I haven't tried. The cost of getting them to the UK is expensive, of course. When I work through my samples, I'll be looking to get more samples from the States.
Mark, honestly do you consider the straight razor results more BBS than safety razors, it is worth the potential risk of nicks n cuts? Frankly, I've given up on straights. Cheers Achim+
No mate. Unless you've been honing, and shaving with, your straight razor for many years, I think a machine sharpened safety razor, will probably trump it. This is the best shave I've had - It only took me about two years and there's no guarantee I'll do it again, next time. I'd stick to your safety razor 😊 Less hassle less expense, less blood. I hope Susan and yourself and are both well, mate.
@@FriendshipShaving Susan sends her wishes, too and thanks for yr honest opinion. I think a straight belongs more into the hands of a barber, he can see n change the angles btr as well. Cheers fm all of us in Singapore+
You're welcome, Achim. Look after yourselves. All the very best.
Hello Mark, always being impressed seeing a straight razor in action 👍 Nevertheless those are just not my cup of tea.
Fair enough, my friend. It has taken a long time to have a shave that good. A safety razor is much easier and, had I used one, I wouldn't have sliced my finger cleaning it 😂 Ouch.
Yep, I‘m just not patient enough for this type of razor and would cut myself for sure. Seems the razor striked back since it couldn’t cut you while shaving it took the chance with your finger 😜 My crazy German humor, right. Take care Mark 😉
It was waiting! 😀 You too buddy.
Start off by honing hollows, wedges are more difficult, my stones are synthetic 1000/4000 & 6000/8000, apart from finisher whch is Welsh slate: Snowdonia wich is about 15000 with slurry. Unless the bevel needs re setting , l use the 8000 and Welsh slate,. I normally strop 80 couarse leather and 80 on fine leather. With less strop rounds before and after shaving. I used the Dr Matt and Matti tomato technique to test for keeness. I only straight razor my face and safety razor my head every other day. Cutting all the BS it's just rubbing metal on rock. I use Crox when the razor needs to be touched up and not honed. All the best Mark.
Thank you for your advice, Roy. It is just rubbing metal on rock but it took me ages to get a good edge on my finishing stone. I thought they had sold me a broken one. I'm in no hurry, this time around. I just want to get it right and the Gold Dollar I have bought is a hollow ground razor. When it all arrives, I'll be ready to start my new adventure.
@@FriendshipShaving Mark, forgot to mention, use electrical tape on the spine to prevent damage and use light pressure when sharpening and lighter pressure when honing. Hope this helps you.
Electrical tape - Check. I have some already. Mind you I might not bother with the Gold Dollar. Daring!
@@FriendshipShaving I remember seeing my Uncles cutthroat razors. I was about 10 and he took me to his barber shop. The blades of his straight razors tapered down to paper thin steel, very easily damaged. Maybe that's why he only used a strop with fine carborundum paste on it. I remember watching him strop one of the razors. Wish I'd paid more attention. But I could look but not touch any of his razors.
Dave.
Thinking of trying one myself but one that you clip half a DE blade in. Are that type inferior to the type you are using? Interested in your thoughts on the difference. Also it would be great if you tube shaver would nominate each other with an idea of mine which is to whip up a lather in a reversed half grapefruit peel. Zingy!
No, I don't think they are inferior and lots of people shave with that type of razor and really enjoy them. The benefit is that you can choise your favourite razor blade. I prefer the Feather style razor, either the folding or non folding type, simply because the blade is a little longer and more like a traditional straight razor. I do find the Feather blades feel a bit different from the straight I used. I like the grapefruit idea, but I'm not a fan of grapefruit! I'll see if I can get a big orange.
Or a Pomello
I don't know what a Pomello is, Paul. I'm going to have to look it up; I've never seen one in the supermarket. Ah, interesting. It' called Citrus Maxima and tastes like a grapefruit. There was a great soap made by Phoenix and Beau, called Citrus Maximus. I bet it had Pomello in it.
I have heard that most barbers who shave their customers "traditionally" use the Feather straight razors as they are the best.
Dave, I think these days it has to do with hygiene. They have to toss the blade once they have shave one person. So, the Feather gives the feel of a traditional straight razor barbershop shave with the hygiene.
I bought my first straight razor a gold dollar but a still trying to figure out how to hold it properly ..
I can relate to that. It took me a little while to work out how it was most comfortable for me to hold.
I liked the scent, but their soaps are too oily for me.
Hi Dan. Did you mean while you were using them or on your skin in the post shave. I'm guessing the latter. Post shave feels nice for me but I may have a tendency to slightly dry skin. How's the house coming along?
@@FriendshipShaving Post shave clogged my pores and made me break out. I had a few different samples from them and they all did this. Im a greasy Italian. I dont need the fats they offer. You can tell its a quality soap though, and I did like the scent. Works well with modern Old spice splash. House is almost ready. Got 60 panels of sheetrock hung. I wont be doing the kitchen or bathroom this year. The living space is enough. Im ready to not live in this caravan anymore.
Fair enough mate, bit of a shame but we are so spoiled for choice, these days, I suppose it hardly matters. Glad to read that the house is coming along. That's a lot of work. Keeps you busy eh! Take care buddy, it'll nice to get out of the caravan. ☺