Thread: Straight feels like its pulling hair out :(

Thanks a lot fellas i will try your suggestions, im definatly not giving up i want to figure this out

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Ok wait a half second here because you just confused me


Just to clarify

Both razors fail on the 1st WTG pass
Both Razors shave on the 2nd WTG pass after a Re-lather
Both razors have been stropped


If that is true then your issue is your prep/lather

or

I am misreading your post and ignore me

No I read that too - but I don't have the same reaction the rest of you guys have on this!

I have had quite a few blades that were "close but not quite there" that pulled like the Dickens on the first pass, but "shaved" on the second pass. That doesn't read funny to me.

I can't explain it. Before I tried to understand it, I got more razors or learned to stop, and touch up before moving on to the second pass - or even finnishing the first. Though I admit it seems odd, but its happened to me so often that I wonder if we shouldn't explore it more. I can tell you bar none, its wasn't a prep issue in my case.

About every 2nd time a new shaver complains of dullness or pulling it's related to their experience with a shavette type razor because they allow steeper angles (according to Lynn in his beginner video, i don't know personally never shaved with one). We see this post over and over.

These threads generally go something like this:

"My new XYZ razor, honed by master honer seems dull/pulls/tugs, I have been using a shavette."

So if that feather you are referring to is a shavette-thing (fake straight), then really get that blade angle down. And work on getting your beard soft. Try lather, then strop, then shave (after bath). Or lather, fetch a fresh cup, check your email, then re-lather and shave. Get some damp in them whiskers.

I don't think you rolled the edge unless you were trying to strop like in the movies and you used big pressure. Nearly always in the SR game, less is more.

It really takes a while for everything to come together. Hang in there.

RE David's post directly above this one: I'm really of the "angle theory" here, despite "prep" being part of my reply. If i have a blade that pulls first pass, it goes back to the rocks-period, but then I gots my angles down. OR sometimes i have rushed prep and a dry whisker is tough indeed.

My prep is a hot shower, face lathering like i have for over 2 years with a good soap i really take my time lathering up as i enjoy the whole experience. Im a newb to the real str8 razors but one was bought from gssixgun and other from SRD. I really think the second pass goes better due to less stubble in the path of the razor. I believe its my angle or possibly a rolled edge, but it shaves the back of my hand with ease, it just seems like the first pass is rough and my stubble stops the razor in its path, im definatly using confident strokes and skin stretching.

When I get tugging, it usually is related to:-hairs are not well hydrated by using good prep or are starting to dry out. Even a sharp blade tugs on dry hair.-a dull or dulling blade.-a too steep blade angle. Keeping the spine close to the skin is important to avoid catching, tugging, irritation, and premature blade dulling, especially on sensative areas like the lips.Shaving can get easier after the first pass because there are fewer hairs left to cut and the first pass helps lather the hairs. I use WTG before trying ATG.Skin stretching and coming at the hard spots from multiple directions helps with closeness and catching.HTH

Originally Posted by Triad

My prep is a hot shower, face lathering like i have for over 2 years with a good soap i really take my time lathering up as i enjoy the whole experience. Im a newb to the real str8 razors but one was bought from gssixgun and other from SRD. I really think the second pass goes better due to less stubble in the path of the razor. I believe its my angle or possibly a rolled edge, but it shaves the back of my hand with ease, it just seems like the first pass is rough and my stubble stops the razor in its path, im definatly using confident strokes and skin stretching.

Sounds like an angle issue to me??

For those who haven't seen this or would like a little refresher and specifically HERE because of shavette angles. FWD to 16:00 mark if you're in a rush (which is exactly where he's at in the "preview" shot below.)

This is what i'm referring to every time I try to encourage a shavette/SR transitioning folks to correct the angles.

One thing I tried when I first started was using conditioner on my face when using a hot towel, it really softened the beard. When my shaving ability got better I could drop the conditioner

Originally Posted by Triad

My prep is a hot shower, face lathering like i have for over 2 years with a good soap i really take my time lathering up as i enjoy the whole experience. Im a newb to the real str8 razors but one was bought from gssixgun and other from SRD. I really think the second pass goes better due to less stubble in the path of the razor. I believe its my angle or possibly a rolled edge, but it shaves the back of my hand with ease, it just seems like the first pass is rough and my stubble stops the razor in its path, im definatly using confident strokes and skin stretching.

Well there is no doubt that my door is always open to solve a mystery (Or in this case the Mailbox door) if you want to send the one I honed back up to the Northwoods I will check it under the microscope, and test shave it and see what there is to see..
Obviously if you send it up, my OCD won't allow for me to send it back without tweaking for ya anyway

PM me or better yet e-mail me over at the website and we can get together


ps; One thing that just caught my eye is the 30° mention, I honestly shy away from that, and call it 2 Spine Widths it is easier to relate to while shaving and also adjust for different razors as you use them.. Just a thought... but the offer still stands

Thank you for posting the video on here. I saw another video online from another guy who did a straight razor shave, but it is always nice to get another person and their experience and tips. Lynn also goes into more detail from the start to the finish and shows you with a few different size razors.

Hopefully my next shave this evening will be more successful. I feel like i was getting some areas where my hair was being pulled rather than cut, but i think it is because of the angle that i am using.

To the gentlemen out there with beards, do you have any special techniques and tips that you use when shaving? What about for styling, or do you do all of this with a trimmer prior to shaving?