Thread: Noob to Straight Razors.

Alright so I got it today. It's a Sheffield Extra Hollow Ground 5/8" razor. Did my first strop and shave with it today, had a lot if tugging and pulling on my 1/4 inch facial hair. I filmed a video and took a better picture with my dslr, I'm out now but any advice would be good. Haven't had much luck with the jawbone and neck area or upper lip and chin.



Thank you,
-Scott.

[QUOTE=ScottyK9;1329797]Alright so I got it today. It's a Sheffield Extra Hollow Ground 5/8" razor. Did my first strop and shave with it today, had a lot if tugging and pulling on my 1/4 inch facial hair. I filmed a video and took a better picture with my dslr, I'm out now but any advice would be good. Haven't had much luck with the jawbone and neck area or upper lip and chin.





You may have rounded the edge over when you stropped it, common newb mistake. Also, you probably shouldn't have stropped it at all. When I got mine from Larry, he put a note with it saying NOT to strop it until after you shave with it the first time. My advice is to try and find a member close to you to evaluate the edge, and if need be hone it for you.

I would also recommend that you watch some you tube videos. Lynn, GeoFatboy, and Mantic 59 have some good videos. There are other factors that will cause tugging: face prep, lather, blade angle, pressure. I'm still guilty of using too much pressure at times, 25 years of cartridge shaving ingrains a multitude of bad habits.

You're going through the same stuff that most of us went through in the beginning, don't let it get you down. Once you start getting the basics down, your shaves will improve.

[QUOTE=billyc4362;1329820]

Originally Posted by ScottyK9

Alright so I got it today. It's a Sheffield Extra Hollow Ground 5/8" razor. Did my first strop and shave with it today, had a lot if tugging and pulling on my 1/4 inch facial hair. I filmed a video and took a better picture with my dslr, I'm out now but any advice would be good. Haven't had much luck with the jawbone and neck area or upper lip and chin.





You may have rounded the edge over when you stropped it, common newb mistake. Also, you probably shouldn't have stropped it at all. When I got mine from Larry, he put a note with it saying NOT to strop it until after you shave with it the first time. My advice is to try and find a member close to you to evaluate the edge, and if need be hone it for you.

I would also recommend that you watch some you tube videos. Lynn, GeoFatboy, and Mantic 59 have some good videos. There are other factors that will cause tugging: face prep, lather, blade angle, pressure. I'm still guilty of using too much pressure at times, 25 years of cartridge shaving ingrains a multitude of bad habits.

You're going through the same stuff that most of us went through in the beginning, don't let it get you down. Once you start getting the basics down, your shaves will improve.

I will refer you to the post I just made in reply to Steve.

And yes I've shaved dry in the field, desert, you name it I've shaved there with nothing but a bic LOL. I've even used hand sanitizer for after shave. Face prep may be the killer here, I only applied the shaving soap that's all. And for sure pressure is a factor.

~Scott.

Sorry if it seemed I was copying Steve's post, I type slowly(search and destroy method). For face prep, I'm sure most guys take a hot shower first. Other methods include: Hot towel, pre shave oil, hair conditioner.

Originally Posted by billyc4362

Sorry if it seemed I was copying Steve's post, I type slowly(search and destroy method). For face prep, I'm sure most guys take a hot shower first. Other methods include: Hot towel, pre shave oil, hair conditioner.

It's quite alright. I had showered first but some like the hot towel method I've seen, never did it but I'll give it a whack. Hair conditioner? Hmmmm

~Scott.

Originally Posted by ScottyK9

It's quite alright. I had showered first but some like the hot towel method I've seen, never did it but I'll give it a whack. Hair conditioner? Hmmmm

~Scott.

Never did the hair conditioner myself, from what I've heard you apply it in the shower and leave it soak in for a few minutes.

BTW- Good looking razor. Sheffield razors are known to be among the best, along with Soligen and TI blades.

Originally Posted by billyc4362

BTW- Good looking razor. Sheffield razors are known to be among the best, along with Soligen and TI blades.

Awesome, I was hoping someone would have some info on the razor. Thank you for that,
-Scott.