Thread: Day 2

Hey guys. Day 2 of straight razor shave (on cheeks only). I finish up with a Dovo shavette that I am comfortable with. I am using a Dovo from SRD so I know it's a decent edge.

My question. My shave is not close with the Straight razor. Is that expected? Also, slightly uncomfortable as well, as in face burning. I feel like I might be forcing things a bit but also thought my experience with a shavette would help. Guess not...lol. I have really focused on the angle since I know the shavette is a bit more forgiving.

Basically I need reassurance that it's a learning curve and it will get better. Thanks ahead of time.

Yes, my experience was the same. After a couple of months, I'm just beginning to get as close of a shave with the straight as with the DE. It seems to take quite a while to resolve all of the variables (pressure, angle, path, etc.). Hang in there and good luck!

I'd suggest paying the most attention to two of the areas you mentioned: 1) pressure...you should need almost none if your angle is right; and 2) your lather...make sure it is adequately lubricating your skin and thus providing "glide" for your SR.

Your shave quality will improve with time.

I am linking a video that Lynn posted recently. The video is great for beginners AND he addresses transitioning from shavette to straight razors @ 4:40 min.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...beginners.html

For those new to Sr shaving angle and pressure are always issues that take time to resolve. Keep at it and you will get there. Just remember that pressure equals burn not a closer shave. Good luck.

OP

It does take a fair amount of time to get your technique good enough to get a good close shave. Also consider that multiple passes are usually needed to get that close comfortable shave with a straight. It is a gradual stubble reduction over several different passes of varying angles that gets the job done. If you try to accomplish that in a single pass you are probably applying way too much pressure.

Bob

I will echo what the others have said but add that I also have a Dovo straight and shavette. The shavette is so much lighter than the straight you may not realize how much extra weight the blade itself is adding to the pressure. Also with the shavette you can get away with a larger angle. With the straight go close to 0 than 90 degrees than you do with the shavette.

Redcane,

Welcome and here's my second day -> http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-beginner.html I made *alot* of mistakes and had the tables stacked against me with a non-shave ready razor to complicate things.

I can assure you that things *will* get better. Yes, you may have a set back or two, but think about those as positive learning experiences allowing yourself to diagnose where you went wrong and correcting yourself. Give you two weeks and you will be helping others out who were in your same position.

Do you have a second pro honed razor available?

If not, you'll need one.

Give you three weeks and you will be looking for more razors, soaps and creams and you'll be pouring through the honing and workshop sub-forums. After all, your antique store purchases will need to be honed up and newly found and developing skill will start to make you believe that you might actually be able to hone yourself(which will most likely be the case with reading, videos, etc).

Just remember, don't hone your pro-honed razor. Keep it cherry as an example to aspire to. Shave with it yes. Strop it yes. Hone it not yet.

Welcome aboard, Redcane! The fact that you're still here and still asking questions is a testament to your perseverence(sp?)

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the help and motivation.

Hey guys just wanted to update you all. I am getting better! I still only shave 2 or 3 times a week with a straight and the rest with a "shavette" type, but I am pretty far away from the issues in this post. Thanks for all the advice and help.