Thread: First Straight Razor: Won't cut my hair (yes, another post like this)

I used to shave right off the 8k until my paddle strop came! But I guess we all start somewhere and if we are looking for a fast shave, you wont get it until you have a few things down pat. Stropping and technique makes a big difference. I almost packed it in many times early on.

You know,

All my work is guaranteed, all you have to do is send me an e-mail, simple as that gssixgun@gemstarcustoms.com

But if this was your first attempt then I would give it 1 week and a few tries, if it still doesn't shave then just get hold of me...

Starting Straight Shaving, with Head Shaving is a steep hill to climb..

Originally Posted by Lynn

Before I would have the razor honed, I would give it a few more tries. You can always have it re-honed. The biggest problem new people have usually is blaming the razor when learning good technique is normally the problem.

Have fun.

What Lynn said! Once you get the technique down you will know if and when you actually have an actual edge problem. I will be very obvious to you. You'll see...just don't give up!

WP34

Thanks for the encouragement. I was definitely too rough with the stropping by applying too much pressure. Frustrating when you know it's your fault.

Is there anyway to salvage the edge on my own? Lots of light stropping? What exactly is rolling the edge? Lifting the spine off a bench strop?

I can tell ill be good at shaving my head with an SR; maintenance is another story.

It really depends on how hard you pushed the edge...

You could try 100 laps on the strop then try a section of shaving again.. The hardest part here is the angle you have to use. Jimbo here on SRP has a good head shaving vid on Youtube under "JimboSRP" but you have to understand that he is an experienced SR user... A High angle can tear up an edge pretty darn quick, and it is easy to do...

The return address is on the inside flap of the box I sent you, get the razor to me if it doesn't work by the end of the week and we will start again.. Plus it gives me a chance to see what you have done to the edge, which can tell me quite a bit about whether it is the stropping or the shaving...

Originally Posted by bmilcs

Haha.

I know this is extremely common, but I cannot perfume the shave ready test because I have a beard. I use my razors to shave my head daily.

Anyways, I picked up a straight razor from a PIF and had it professionally honed by Glen (gssixgun). Even from the first shave, I struggled for it to cut hair. I have a very strong background with aggressive DE and SE razors so I have a general understand of how a blade feels and sounds when hair is being cut. I know how the technique differs as well.

Any tips for stropping? I keep the spine flat and do the X motion; could it be the razor being dull? Sorry for the obnoxious post. I know that this subject has been covered countless times but I would like some personal feedback on the matter.

Your post is NOT in any way obnoxious. I understand, Glen understands, and everyone who learned to use a straight understands what a confusing experience it is for a beginner because we have all been there, done that. I remember memorizing a YouTube shaver's strokes and getting a bad shave when I was starting out.

There is a recent trend over here in posts I have read where I believe too much blame has been placed on bad stropping. Yes you can dull, or roll the edge, but unless you really did something pretty radical with it I think you can safely assume that you didn't ruin the edge.

There are a lot of variables that can make a perfectly honed razor shave poorly such as the wrong angle and too much pressure against your face. What is hard for the beginner is that he has to think too much about what he's doing while shaving. In the process you distract yourself and make mistakes. You'll find out that in time you'll get in front of the mirror and the hands will automatically do the work. That's when straight shaving becomes pleasurable.

My best teacher was studying YouTube videos of others shaving, stropping, and honing. Choose a favorite shaver, stropper, and honer. The more you watch them the more you'll notice. Little things like the lather, the blade angle, and the movements across the face are things you will pick up. You might not be able to duplicate the movements of the shaver at first, but later you'll find that you can.

Most of all, realize that you're doing all right. You're working through a learning curve and I promise you that in time it will all make sense.

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

youtube video's really helped me with shaving with a straight. I have a 2.5" strop and a 3" strop. I use to keep my strops pulled fairly drawn tight. After slowing down to see what was happening I noticed the whole edge was not in contact while stropping, just the heel and toe
(cupped strop? maybe). Now I leave a little slack in the strop, using little to no pressure. I found that the complete edge was in contact by doing this with the strop using an X stroke. The result my edge improved.

I notice the same thing. If I pull my 3" strop taught and lay the razor on it, there's very slight gap under the middle of the razor. So I either have to loosen up a bit or do an X stroke even on the 3". I have a <2" strop that while you must do X strokes, seems easier to control and makes sure all of the edge contacts.
But yes, I also "ruined" edges at first due to poor stropping.

The problem is that I hear the razor and it sounds/feels just right as it's going over my head. It's not removing the hair though. I am watching my angle to the best of my ability and feel like it should be cutting but isn't. =\ 30 degrees or 2 spines worth is the accurate angle yes?

Originally Posted by RoyalCake

I notice the same thing. If I pull my 3" strop taught and lay the razor on it, there's very slight gap under the middle of the razor. So I either have to loosen up a bit or do an X stroke even on the 3". I have a <2" strop that while you must do X strokes, seems easier to control and makes sure all of the edge contacts.
But yes, I also "ruined" edges at first due to poor stropping.

I am using a bench strop from Glen and I thought the same thing; that the blade wasn't in full contact with the strop because it is dead flat.

I've been using a brush and quality soaps such as MWF, Mike's, Mystic Waters, Barrister and Mann and Tabac so I know I have the prep down pat. I have zero trouble with the DE's.

I really appreciate all the feedback though. You guys are great. I haven't visited this forum much at all.