Hmph, not what I expected, but interesting nonetheless

I purchased a kit from one of the advertisers on this site, and didn't get a chance to try it until today/tonight.

Few items of note.

1) Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Yeah, I nicked myself a couple times when whacking off the mustache, but it was my own stupidity and getting turned around in the mirror. So that part was easy.

2) I don't know if the place I bought the razor from sharpens them, I assumed so, but it tugged, pulled, ripped, tore, and shredded. I watched that video of I believe Scott? taking off his beard, and it looked like it sliced right through. My Mach3 was way easier, even the clippers were less painful. I had tried the thumbnail test, and the thumb pad test, but since I don't know what I was really looking for, it's hard to say. It seemed sharp, but it was sharp for a kitchen knife, was it sharp for a razor? I don't know...

3) I haven't figure out how to use the styptic pencil I mean, you must do something with it on the wound besides just hold it there, are you supposed to circle it around? Or just dab and hold for a minute or what?

4) Going against the grain was just plain murder. I usually shave against the grain with my Mach 3, but in order to keep from waking the house with my ow's and oh's, I just went wtih the grain.

5) I need to figure out a way to stretch my neck skin straighter and tighter.

6) I chickened out around my ears, because my mirror is too far away to see where the end of the blade is. So that last quarter inch got the mach 3. I'll have to get a telescoping mirror, or something that will let me see better.

7) I managed to nick my strop. Good thing this is just a starter kit. I'll mangle it, then hopefully won't trash the second one.

8) Getting lather was pretty easy in the cup, as long as you really whip that brush around. I looked at the thread with the pictures, but I didn't make anywhere near as much. It felt about the same as shaving creme, and it lasted good, so I feel comfortable there.

9) Switching hands wasn't as hard as I thought. Lots of years of piano training under this belt, maybe that helped.

10) I am not sure how stropping the blade hits the edge. As I look at it, If I pull the strop taut, lay the blade on the strop with the back touching the strop, it almost looks to me like the point isn't really resting on the strop, rather the part right where the "grind" would stop is. Now perhaps when you start pressing down when you strop and the curvature of the strop does the right thing, but I am unsure.

In the video on the site, the stop looked held pretty taut, I may have allowed more slack. Didn't think I was, but a lot to do that first time...


I am nervous about applying the blade to the honing paddle, because if it really is sharp, and I just have unreasonable expectations, I'll probably screw it up more than I will fix it.

Anyway, when all is said and done, it was nice to just take some time and experiment. Did I get a better shave? I don't know. I love my Mach 3 with the little vibrator thing in it. The "down-grain" stroke on my face feels really smooth, but there's still a pretty good resistance to against-the-grain.


Part of my peace of mind will come from determining if the razor really is sharp... If it's sharp, and the yanking/tearing is normal, then I guess my face can just toughen up, or I can go back to the mach...

Number ten is what's most likely caused your shaving troubles. The actual edge is not supposed to touch the strop; it's supposed to lay flat so that the sides (bevel) of the edge are in contact. Not holding the strop tightly causes the edge to be dulled inadvertantly. Also, you should use little to no pressure at all. Was your razor shave ready when it was shipped or was honing a separate service? If it wasn't part of the package then you'll need to have that done unless you're ready to dive into the honing end of the pool. I'm no expert on this but I'm willing to bet the honemeisters here will agree for the most part.

Kurt

It seems like most of the stuff you mentioned is the common beginners blues. It should improve in time. In the beginning I just shaved my cheeks and neck and didn't try an ATG pass. Everything that I thought was impossible or hard is now common place---give it time--getting use to the mirror and razor relationship will improve as well. It's important (of course) that your razor is shave ready ---if your razor is shave ready, you've given proper attention to prep work, and you use the correct angle and touch then your shaves shouldn't be painful. There might be a little bit more of a dragging sensation then a cartridge razor but only maybe. It seems to me if you get the lather just right then it's a beautiful experience. Stretching your skin is a big deal ---get an idea of your stubble "grain" and pay attention to it. To use the styptic, just wet it an apply --if it burns and the bleeding stops then you're doing it right. I have a handful of nicks on my strop so just chalk it up to being a newbie. Finally, if you can manage the left hand shave, then you have a jump on most and give yourself a pat on the back. Later,

Justin:tu

Presumably it was shave ready, but I have to go back and look at the invoice and make sure. The description says it is shave ready. \

In my own mind, it was probably about as bad as the worst cartridge I've ever used on the Mach, or like on a well-used disposable. So I'm thinking I messed up the strop somehow, although when I took it out of the package, I put a little shaving creme on my arm and tried to shave with it, and it seemed OK, but of course, the hari-type is completely different.

I'll monkey with it a bit more. I suspect as mentioned earlier, I maybe wasn't holding the strop taut enough, or pushed it down too hard.

I am confident it will get worked out eventually...

I am guessing this is one of my sets from the items included that you have mentioned, strop, paddle, styptic.

Beard prep is everything. If not soft enough even the best of us will have a tough shave. If I rush the prep I get poor shaves as well. All of my razors are honed before sending so I'm pretty confident this is not the problem but would be glad to do it again if you feel that is the issue, no problem. I do know that the fellow who sharpens for me is FAR better than I am at it and would be surprised if it arrived dull.


Go, slow, try it some more. take time with the prep and let me know how you do.

Tony

Hey PC,

Yes, it does get better - from a newb here too, with the same set as I presume that you have. Here is the straight deal - the beard prep really is 85% of the battle, and you have to take your time - I jumped from electric straight to well straights, and it has been a terrible battle to take my time - also remember that as your beard dries it stiffens, so keep it moist throught the shave - this is not a problem with an electric or Mach, because it goes by so fast, but when taking your time - it happens.

After that, the stroping is important, but don't think you are alone - I have nicked and sliced the hell out of my strop too, just be careful and pay attention to your mistakes and don't repeat them. As far as going against the grain, don't do it - yet. Wait until you can maneuver the blade aroudn you face with the grain skillfully, figure out your path and the direction of growth of your beard and get it down - then, slowly, on the flat parts of your face, try going against the grain - and drop the angle of attack against the grain - otherwise you will "skip" across the surface and make a...mess. I went to work one day looking like a fight club reject, and got several inquiries. Always lather and relather, why it starts to go dry, quick hot rinse, relather - always! I am impatient and I keep going over the spots I have already done, without relathering, or over dried out lather and that is not surprisingly where I end up with the most irritation...Once you can do the flats, and have gotten confidence with the grain under your chin (which always brings to mind when I am shaving of the origination of calling straight razors "cut-throats"), then you can take on more and more against the grain...it won't be perfect, probably ever, but it is pretty damn satisfying. I did my first total third pass this morning and while it is not electric close, it feels and smells better, and is very close - and guess what, no irritation! I will keep working on the time and the closeness, and will get it soon.

As far as the styptic, don't give much information there do they? Put it under a little running water first, put the moist styptic against your nick, an spread it around...dry will take forever - but be warned that you will have a white residue that will make a white splotch when it dries, just dab it with a wet washcloth and it will go away.

Remember to dry your blade very well, as it will corrode in a very short amount of time...hang your brush if you can upside down to prevent water and soap leaking down into the base of the hair. I juried rigged a hanger out of a bathrobe hook from Home Depot, and attached it with zip tie, and it works great. Target is your friend for cheap bowls, and the water heater (like for tea).

The final important thing is to find a good cream/soap - it seems that I am on the hunt for the ultimate soap now...some are much better than others, but the lather is important as you have no doubt learned.

If you have any other questions, PM me, and we can discuss. If i have mentioned anything you already know, forgive the redundancy, I just listed several of my most important findings recently.

K

Also, don't forget to stretch the skin well. These are a lot of ducks to get in a row, but it won't be long before they're all waddling along in the same direction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrcpu

... I love my Mach 3 with the little vibrator thing in it. ...

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This kind of language will not be tolerated here. :mad: ;)

X

While reading your post I was thinking, "Ok, this sounds about right for a first time..." Just about everyone runs into at least some, if not all, of the issues you had and then some.

I've been doing this a long time, and believe me it gets much better. Just stick with it and you'll be fine. Read everything you can find, and ask lots of questions. And most of all, don't give up. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

Quite frankly, based on what I read in your post, I think you are bitten. Doomed to a life of obsession we call the straight razor :tu

BTW, the moistened styptic pencil should be gently pressed over and onto the nick. You'll know it's working by it's exquisite sting. Just hold in place until the wound is sufficiently cauterized (once the stinging ceases).


Scott

<< BTW, the moistened styptic pencil should be gently pressed over and onto the nick. You'll know it's working by it's exquisite sting.>>

Ahh yes, the sting of the styptic. If that is not enough for you and once the tears subside give yourself a splash of anything with Pinauds on the label. Surely it will bring you to your knees <g>

That said I am now a 100% Dominica Bay Rum convert. I got my parcel from Scott (above post) and use nothing else. Great product, fast shipping. Thanks Scott!

Tony

You are welcome Tony, enjoy!:D

Scott

Just a general comment. When I started shaving with a straight in October, I truly didn't know what to expect. I put up with some less-than-stellar shaves because I didn't really have the touch of how to correctly strop and hone.

Lynn's DVD really helped because it gave me a reference point for how honing and stropping should at least *look* while you are doing them. You start there and the *touch* comes with practice. You learn to properly interpret the feedback your razor is giving you from the strop and/or hone. You'll start to develop a sense about whether your razor is ready to shave with. As a general rule, you should be able to feel the sharp edge of the razor *just* touching the strop and you take your strokes. Don't press down on the edge. The edge often makes a light rasping sound as you pass it up and down the strop. This sound is a good sign.

A properly sharpened razor should just glide through your beard hairs, popping them effortlessly. It's hard to believe now, but if you keep at it and do everything right, you'll get there eventually.

Even if you don't get Lynn's DVD, there are some free vids on the net about how to strop a razor. However, Lynn's DVD has the best honing demos available. The honing practice you might want to leave for later though.

Also, I can't understate the importance of good beard prep. Make sure those whiskers are well soaked. It really is half the battle. Beard prep is much more important in a straight shave than it is when you use a Mach 3.

I'll just second (or third etc.) what the other gents have said. Beard prep (and this includes proper lubrication via the soap/cream du jour) is critical with blade prep a very close second. Even truly 'shave ready' blades benefit from a proper stropping. An improper stropping can harm the edge. A nick in the strop is no big deal, but you're in for a bit of work if you roll the edge on the strop. Of course, I don't know of any of this personally. I have a friend... :)


Wayne

Also...I found that after about 6 months or so my shaves had improved a lot.

There really IS a learning curve. Often people say: "I've had my first shave and it was awesome!" but given time those shaves will improve even more. If I compare my shaves now to those that I had in the beginning (amazing though they were) there's simply no comparison.