Advice for a new straight shaver

I’ve had a wonderful six month experience with my DE razors about 40 years after switching to carts as a teenager. I got the urge to try a straight so I figured I would make sure to get one that could shave well. I purchased a new Dovo Best 5/8 along with 3” strop from SRD knowing it would be honed by Lynn and ready to go. My first try gave me lots of chatter and sort of “sticking” to my face with little beard reduction. I figured technique and too dry lather (Tabac) were the cause. Mt stropping technique also more than likely leaves something to be desired but I got it down I think though I did nick the strop (not badly) several times over the next few days. I’m getting careful with the angle (only using my good left hand so far), using wetter lather and the results are better but I’m still not really able to get the blade to glide over my face as I see in videos. Because of this I’m a bit concerned that I may have dulled the edge and no longer have a good shave ready razor though it will cut through chest hair (why use an arm? :-) ) midway up its length.

I next purchased the Modular Paddle Strop along with some Crox from SRD which are on the way. I’d like to get my technique down both shaving and stropping but could use some advice. Should I refresh the edge with the diamond spray or Crox? What about getting the razor to glide over my face and make that nice cutting sound I hear in the videos. How do I know when to send it back to SRD for honing?
Thank you all in advance for your suggestions.

Welcome to the forum and the club GC7!

All you need to know is on the vid's and posts by Lynn and other members on the forum, also make use of the advanced search for any specific questions you have - it's all there.

Cheers!

Sounds like the razor is sharp and the angle is too high and blade needs to be closer to your face. Stopping on a flat surface may also help. Atleast 25 linen and 50 leather.

As I read your post I couldn't help but think funny thing is I've been getting fantastic results shaving with my straight for sue time and I have never been able to actually shave and do those big long dramatic strokes like I see in videos either. I'm not sure that all the guys doing that are actually shaving. My strokes are always much shorter. I do get smooth movement of my razor, but not long sweeping strokes. The keys for me in getting a great shave are of course a sharp razor, the right lather for my face (not too runny not too stiff), good skin stretching and time to relax and enjoy my time. I am not a fast shaver and because I can, I choose to shave in the evening when I can take all the time in the world. I almost forgot to mention the ever so important blade angle. Once you've gotten that down it's easy to forget to mention it. Happy shaves!
Sometimes I get blabbing and forget half of what I wanted to say. If your blade if lopping hair mid shaft if should be good to go. You will be able to tell by it grabbing and pulling that it is time for a touch up. You could at that point do some stropping on crox or diamond spray. When that fails to do the trick a quick touch up on a finisher or good quality barbers hone (they are not all the same) or send it out. I think I actually answered your questions this time.

Hey RedDog, I think those two must be related. :rofl2:

In this video Lynn shows you how to apply the diamond spray etc. As a side note, I would be very sparing in using crox or diamond spray...use limited stroked if you decide to use it. Be cautioned, lot of new people over-use crox and sprays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Thanks for all the good advice.

I'll keep trying to work on my technique. I know my prep and later are really good at least for DE shaves but I'll modify using the results of the shave tell me how I'm doing.

That video is exactly what I needed to see for using that strop for tune up and general use. It should be at the doorstep tomorrow afternoon.

Lynn also has a video up on refreshing a razor when it starts to pull. Although it may have some overlapping information, I'd check it out to educate yourself nonetheless.

You're right, wetter lather helps glide. Usually people find that an against the grain pass especially needs wetter lather. One trick you can use to gauge the water content of your lather is to squeeze it all out into your lather bowl. You'll be able to feel how much water is in it, as well as get a visual when it slides into the bowl. Not enough water and the lather will just stay on your hand...too much and you'll definitely notice.

You can also grab some glycerin as well and add a couple drops into your lather to improve glide.

I put some pre-shave oil on my face, and lather then. This helps with the glide as well.

As a newbie, the most important aspect that I saw was the angle. about 30degrees when shaving WTG and XTG, but spine almost touching skin when going ATG.

And I am still learning the pressure, in the beginning I was using to much pressure. Now, I use the littlest of pressure, and the blade glides over my face, resulting in a great shave!

Well my Modular Paddle Strop was waiting for me when I got home this evening and I must say that this device is a stroke of genius. It is a huge quantitative improvement for a beginner like me. I can instantly feel that the blade is flat and touching across its whole width and there is a built in give to the paddle for feedback for perfect pressure on the blade. I am very impressed and can only imagine that my edges will improve too.

I sprayed a felt strip with the 0.5 micron diamond as per Lynn's video and tomorrow I will touch up my edge before trying another shave.

Thanks all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GC7

Well my Modular Paddle Strop was waiting for me when I got home this evening and I must say that this device is a stroke of genius. It is a huge quantitative improvement for a beginner like me. I can instantly feel that the blade is flat and touching across its whole width and there is a built in give to the paddle for feedback for perfect pressure on the blade. I am very impressed and can only imagine that my edges will improve too.

I sprayed a felt strip with the 0.5 micron diamond as per Lynn's video and tomorrow I will touch up my edge before trying another shave.

Thanks all!

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Less is more...I would only do a couple strokes and then see how it feels. Take it slow...it's easier to add strokes than take strokes away.

I hear you Kyle. Two strokes it will be.

May I ask what are the potential consequences of a few too many strokes?

I recall a video where Lynn used to do 10 strokes but now recommends 5.

Thanks once again

I've only been using a straight for a couple of months now, but I echo the comments on low angle and light pressure. The learning curve was much steeper for me than with a DE. I'm still learning, but my shaves improved considerably when I focused on those aspects. Good luck and stay with it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GC7

I hear you Kyle. Two strokes it will be.

May I ask what are the potential consequences of a few too many strokes?

I recall a video where Lynn used to do 10 strokes but now recommends 5.

Thanks once again

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You can destroy your edge and it will have to be honed on a stone again. Too thin of an edge will fail and be no edge. Keep in mind that proper stropping will also improve your edge as well as smooth it. Learning to strop comes in two parts, the first being not damaging your edge, and then learning to actually improve it.

Very cool.

Well I could certainly feel and hear the improvement in the edge with a shave after three (sorry - could not resist) strokes on the diamond and then 30 rough leather and 60 smooth leather. It is no doubt sharper so I must have dulled the edge with my previous shaves and stropping technique. This was by far the best full WTG first pass I have done. I could hear the blade cutting as per the videos I've seen and got my cheeks and most of my neck darn smooth. The mustache area and chin are a work in progress. I finished with the DE and I'm a happy camper.

I'll use this edge with just stropping until I notice a degradation in the quality of the shave and probably ask some additional questions at some point.