My Introduction

So. My first straight shave turned out to be a bust. My razor that was supposed to be shave ready was not. I was told that it was already honed, stropped, and ready to go. Thinking I was doing something wrong, I changed my technique, holding, and speed to see if that changed anything. All that did change was the amount of razor burn I got. I did a little research on the website here and found the razor check tests. Obviously it failed the shave test, but it also failed the hair drop test. Well, partially. It got halfway through the hair and stopped. Thankfully, being a machinist, I am more than comfortable honing and sharpening so I purchased a couple stones that should be arriving by friday.

On another note, since I was unsure if there was much of a difference in the lubrication since I've only ever used can foam. Boy was I wrong. My straight shave used gillette sensitive foam since that was what was handy which may have partially contributed now that I think about it but the blade was still not ready. I did, however, purchase a 25$ shave kit from Walmart and immediately noticed a difference. I usually can not shave but once every 3-4 days because it tears up my neck. Even after the butchering from friday night at 1AM, I tried to shave this afternoon, only 36 hours later, using the Van Der Hagen kit and was pleasantly shocked at just how smooth the shave was! no burn, no pulling, just clean shave even with an M3. Sooo, revelation #2 for me. I have no idea what quality the brush was, it didn't say if it was badger, boar, or synthetic, but it still made a decent lather. Either way, my opinion of paying more for shaving implements is slowly changing.

Anyways, that was all I had so far. I need to go make some biscuits and gravy for my wife. I'll be back to researching tonight some time.

Hi and welcome. Start by checking out the library for all the starter info and the other basics of Sr shaving. Lynn Abrams and Gssixgun have great vids on YouTube about honing. That said getting your first razor pro honed is a good idea as you will have a benchmark to compare to. Also what razor did you get as not all are good razors. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

Welcome. I hope that things go smoother (no pun intended) from here on. As Ed said, pro-honing first (for about $25) by Lynn, Gssixgun or any of the vendors or classified people here would help you establish a standard by which to judge your own work in the future. Honing SRs can be tricky, as they are different than other sharp tools in their construction and thus maintenance.

Whichever, I hope you keep coming back and asking equations and your shaves improve.

Welome. You will find the library to have an amazing quantity of information. There are tons of very sharing people here at all levels.

Check out the "razors to avoid list" If you got one of those, things are self explanatory. Any new razor needs a pro hone. And as stated your going to find honing a straight requires you forget everything you know about sharpening other things. More info and some pics help to get better advice :<0) Finding someone near you to give hands on lessons is a priceless advantage.

also maybe it was technigue as most beginners find out ,, maybe the blade is ready , learn to strop the right way to keep it sharp ,,, and above all get a razor honed by the pros, even the most experienced knife guys out there found out the hard way its a different ball game with a razor. learn to shave first then you will know if a razor is right otherwise its kinda hard to tell if you can hone it to shave ready. good luck and maybe find someone in your area to help you out tc

Welcome! Greetings from Brazil!

Welcome to the forum.

Your going to love honingand shaving with straight razors, but note the things a knife cuts doesn't complain about keeness like your face will :)!

Have fun - we look forward to hearing your progression.

Welcome. I am here to learn just like you.

Yes, Jim. Cutting hanging hairs and hair drop tests tell little about a shave. The stuff in the can and most tubes is fine for DE shaving, but with a straight, lubrication is key.
Quality lather is a must, but lesser expensive things like the Vanderhagen I assume you got at Wallyworld, or Williams will work much better with several drops of glycerine on the puck. Technique is extremely important, including blade angle and prep. You did not mention stropping. It is absolute key (see this month's beginner's tips!).
Many come here with a shaver which is honed properly, yet without these key requirements in play, disappoints!
All of these things, including a sharp blade, contribute to a great shave!

Thank you everyone for your replies. The blade i bought was a Dovo Special through the classifieds on this site. Like I said, it was said to be honed and stropped so i tried to shave without any touch ups. It did seem sharp with a thumb test before the shave. it certainly wanted to cut my thumb open with little pressure. It did feel like the shave was slightly better after stropping, but that didn't last more than a few seconds. I've come to terms with needing to hone the edge better. Either way, I will be taking a deep look through the library during the week before my hone stones arrive. I bought a 1k/6k and a 10k.

The VdH brush is a lower end boar brush, but it works fine. It took about 10 shaves before mine stopped being prickley. It is a good brush to learn on.

If you got the blade from here, then it was probably sharp, but as a beginner it is easy to mess up a blade. I had to go over mine with a 12k after the third shave because of bad stropping. And again about a week later. :-( Make yourself a CrOx strop to finish the blade after you come off the stones if you want it smoother.

I agree, if you got it from the SRP classifieds I would bet dollars to donuts it shaves. You should find out why you aren't getting a great shave with it. Hones will put it back in shape but I suspect that is not the problem. The strop may put it back in shape unless you really went off road with it. Good lather, stretch the skin, light pressure and start with the blade flat against your skin, increase angle until you feel it cutting. (the hair not the face) :<0) I have a feeling you'll figure it out. I hope it is a pleasant learning experience.

How was your beard prep? I have really coarse whiskers and if I don't do a hot towel treatment on my face before I shave the razor has a really hard time getting through my beard. I'd try the hot towel and see if that makes a difference.