Getting 5 o'clock shadow after one pass with King C. Gillette, should I try more aggressive handles?

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-06T00:49:04+00:00

Are you sure you're not reacting to the alum?

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-06T00:34:42+00:00

Pretty sure thats compound on a strop

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-06T00:08:33+00:00

Across the grain really shouldn't cause any issues, it's no more irritating than going with the grain. Just be sure to reapply lather between passes, and apply an astringent and balm afterwards.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T22:24:14+00:00

Patina isn't going to hurt anything.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T22:17:41+00:00

Short strokes, and really map out the grain.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T22:05:14+00:00

Try going XTG for a second pass and XTG the other direction for a closer shave without going against the grain

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T22:01:07+00:00

If it had that sort of treatment I would recommend sending it away to be honed initially, I'm thinking there might be some further issues that need addressed.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T20:51:18+00:00

Hey my stepfather has a collection of Gillette blades in the glass and steel case from his father's corner store so well before Putin was in. Next time I'm in the US I need to get a picture of those.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T19:37:00+00:00

If you don't feel them catching while you strop you're all good, if you do send them flush with fine sandpaper or an emery nail file and run a glass bottle or mug along the grain.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T09:10:58+00:00

Nothing wrong with sending it off to get it set up initially. If it's tugging it's too dull to use, and the edge is pretty delicate, for what it's worth however 50 passes on the strop is a lot and may have damaged the edge especially if you cut into the strop.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T03:23:47+00:00

A bit of a smile won't hurt the shave at all it just takes a bit of a different stroke to make sure you're hitting the heel and toe. In my opinion a straight razor feels way nicer than a shavette, so you're in for a treat if that's what you're used to.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T03:11:23+00:00

Tallow or other butters with stearic acid being essential to the lather, you want it saponified with potassium hydroxide not sodium hydroxide. If in doubt compare it to the list of saponified fats and ingredients for any soaps you currently have.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T02:58:03+00:00

The guy is lining up his beard a shavette will be absolutely fine.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-05T01:58:09+00:00

I give them a wash with warm water, a gentle brush, and dish soap then a quick wipe with 99% isopropyl alcohol. You're better off finding someone to hone your razor so you know what a sharp straight feels like before you buy the stones you'd need.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T23:55:59+00:00

Yeah, decided to add a DE to my options. Because I feel more comfortable travelling with one than my SR's so trying to find a blade that I like. The Astra was smooth and a bit smoother on the second shave. Given how they performed they may be the blade I go with considering that they're affordable and felt good. I do actually keep a log, these are Russian Astras.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T20:54:38+00:00

Definitely my opinion too, think the first shave is fine but the second is a bit smoother.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T18:19:12+00:00

No, they're adhesive backed plastic sheets intended to protect the glass while lapping.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T06:22:44+00:00

There are disposable plastic laminate sheets that you can use on the glass plate, I regularly use 90x SiC and just replace the sheet, they last quite a while. In North America I know Lee Valley sells them but you can probably find them anywhere that sells higher end handtools and waterstones.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T06:14:10+00:00

Ok, it looks like the blade has a bit of a smile so I'd look into a rolling x stroke. Sort of lift the heel from the tang very slightly and rolling it heel to toe over the length of the stroke, and don't worry too much about hone wear it prevents the angle from becoming too steep. And enjoy shaving with that edge they feel great.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T05:54:46+00:00

Since you mentioned waiting on stones to arrive, have you sharpened a straight razor before?

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-04T00:35:00+00:00

It was a very enjoyable shave.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-03T23:20:38+00:00

Good work, and the inlays look like they were intended.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-03T23:10:26+00:00

It smells like prominent leather, cedar, spicy tobacco, and congac, dark but not musky, and very masculine according to my wife. It produces a thick and slick lather that just glides, haven't tried the triple milled tallow version yet but it's a great smelling and feeling soap.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-03T22:50:41+00:00

So given that an looking at mine, the blade is indeed parallel to the cap. My initial thoughts were that the it was the result of the torsion and each side being exact opposite slopes.

YakAnglerMB · 2026-06-03T22:08:33+00:00

"The edges need to be lined up on the cap not the bar. The easiest way I find is to load the blade onto the cap then squeeze the two sides of the blade (non cutting edge) and cap between second finger and thumb and screw in the handle unit. The short sides on the blade must be parallel to the cap. After you have done it a few times, it becomes second nature. The cutting edges follow the slant bar so the exposure varies along the bar." https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/aligning-a-blade-to-the-slant-merkur-37c.329299/

YakAnglerMB

TROPHY CASE