Thread: Do you ever feel like you're getting worse at shaving?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I prefer a razor that is 4-5 shaves post honing, I find freshly honed blades can be a bit too keen.

i probably don't have more than 6-7 shaves on my non-favorites, so maybe I'll give them a few more spins....and I may try a pasted strop on my favorite, before I send it in. Thanks Ed and everyone else who has commented!

Originally Posted by Laurens

Can it be that it's simply too sharp for your liking? I found today that I can get a really great shave with a razor that is not quite as sharp as I normally would like, just because it's nearly impossible for me to get cuts or irritation with it.

Hi Laurens - it has been suggested that the extra-hollows can be a unforgiving and this DD's blade is paper thin it seems, square point, have lots of square points, never been nipped by one, this DD will settle for plain old slicing...it's a great looking blade, love the scales, which are like new, and the emboss, but just don't seem to have any luck with it.

And yes, I've found sometimes, depending on the blade, freshly honed razors can be a bit harsh, but I'm used to that, usually goes away after a good round on the linen and the strop, if not right away, then within 2 or 3 shaves.

Now I have a DD Satin Wedge, and I'm certainly not a wedge fan, but it's a great blade and provides a superb shave....and hasn't bitten me once!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Hi Laurens - it has been suggested that the extra-hollows can be a unforgiving and this DD's blade is paper thin it seems, square point, have lots of square points, never been nipped by one, this DD will settle for plain old slicing...it's a great looking blade, love the scales, which are like new, and the emboss, but just don't seem to have any luck with it.

Now I have a DD Satin Wedge, and I'm certainly not a wedge fan, but it's a great blade and provides a superb shave....

..and light bulbs come on...my Dovo Prima Klang is an extra hollow "singing blade". Maybe I just need until my technique catches up with my equipment, which I had to do in my early 20's for other pursuits

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

..and light bulbs come on...my Dovo Prima Klang is an extra hollow "singing blade". Maybe I just need until my technique catches up with my equipment, which I had to do in my early 20's for other pursuits :
D

Lot's of hollows, especially the blades with the T135 carbon steel, like a lot of TI's, are "singing" blades. I think the extra-hollow blades like to sing while they cut you hahaha!

It's become a challenge for me now, because the blade is fine, it's me that's doesn't know how to use it properly....

It takes more time to master this than most realize. You reach a point where you think you have it all down and then one day you are painfully made aware you don't. it just means you haven't reached that point yet.

If you talk to those of us who have been doing this for years I think we would all say those kind of days don't happen anymore. Of course if you are in a hurry or you lose focus that's another thing no matter how many years you have been at this.

It shouldn't matter what size, grind or point a razor has. You should be able to go from one to another with ease in much the same way an experienced driver can go from one car or truck to another without problems.

You know, I picked up my Brookes & Crookes wedge for a shave this evening and actually thought it looked angry. I put it back and got out my skinny little HB & H in the photo I submitted for the comp. It may well have been that I wasn't in the mood for a square point wedge.

I may be going mental. Can a razor look angry lol

Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

You know, I picked up my Brookes & Crookes wedge for a shave this evening and actually thought it looked angry. I put it back and got out my skinny little HB & H in the photo I submitted for the comp. It may well have been that I wasn't in the mood for a square point wedge.

I may be going mental. Can a razor look angry lol

You have mental issues

I still have those moments, two years in, but I think they are the result of adding honing to the mix. Not maintenance, but starting from scratch with a new bevel and working my way up. I also have days where by brain just cannot do all that is required.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

You have mental issues

My wife looked at me oddly when I explained why I was walking around lathered up with a razor in my hand too.

Harold, I see you joined in June. Have you been straight shaving long?
I ask because as the winter comes here, the skin drys up and the hairs get stiffer. Like an old dog! I find I need a bit more prep and skin care in the winter months in order to get as good a shave as in the warm ones. Took me a while to correllate this time of year and shaves falling off a bit. Nothing had changed but my face! I am pretty sure it would be even more so in a colder clime as yours.

My favorite cure is about 6 drops of vitamin E oil rubbed in good before bed. For some reason, if it is cold, I get a better shave with 1 hot towel-over -lather than the customary 2!
Tom