Thread: Third shave not as good as the first...

I agree with Obie. Blade angle when shaving is a big factor. And we're both pointing out the mistakes we all make when we start out. The key to it all is practice and analysis of what errors you make...then applying corrections and starting again. It does get better and it will get better quite quickly.

You will carve up your strop. It will happen. Start saving for a new one now. I'm on my second.

One of the better ways to practice stropping is to use a butter knife or other dull razor shaped object and do a ton of laps with it to build muscle memory, it will save your strop from practice nicks.

You might be using to much pressure or your angle is to steep, check those as well

I think everyone needs to calm down with the honing advice, it is a 3rd shave after a 12 hour night shift, i would put more money on that being the issue. Small minor nicks in your strop won't kill your edge, they probably won't do it a lot of good but let's not jump to conclusions.
You have said that your shaves are better again, so technique is most likely the issue.
I have been using the same hanging strop for a year and despite having a few nicks ( or character) it works wonderfully. Don't assume that you will destroy your strop, just try not to. Take your time with the stropping technique and you won't need to lay your strop of a table. Practice the technique with anything razor ish shaped and a belt if you are worried. Or just take it steady.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I think everyone needs to calm down with the honing advice, it is a 3rd shave after a 12 hour night shift, i would put more money on that being the issue. Small minor nicks in your strop won't kill your edge, they probably won't do it a lot of good but let's not jump to conclusions.
You have said that your shaves are better again, so technique is most likely the issue.
I have been using the same hanging strop for a year and despite having a few nicks ( or character) it works wonderfully. Don't assume that you will destroy your strop, just try not to. Take your time with the stropping technique and you won't need to lay your strop of a table. Practice the technique with anything razor ish shaped and a belt if you are worried. Or just take it steady.

Excellent Ed, I was worried about my strop not working as well or having to throw it out and get a new one. I'm putting my money on both the irritation and strop damage on lack of practice and sleep too. I find if I watch Lynn's video of stropping while stropping myself that I can imitate that sound and feel myself getting a good rythm. The strop also doesn't have a lot of give to it. It's broken in yet.

You said that you showered first? I ran into problems right out of the shower,because you wash off your natural oils.So your pre shave should replace that before you lather.Run your thumb across your blade and feel for a slow down or a snag.The hone should be smooth from one end to the other,if not try again..Good luck...Dave

Originally Posted by helmut0

You said that you showered first? I ran into problems right out of the shower,because you wash off your natural oils.So your pre shave should replace that before you lather.Run your thumb across your blade and feel for a slow down or a snag.The hone should be smooth from one end to the other,if not try again..Good luck...Dave

I am not sure advising these tests to a new shaver is advisable personally, there is a good chance of injuring yourself or the blade.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I am not sure advising these tests to a new shaver is advisable personally, there is a good chance of injuring yourself or the blade.

Scott, I agree with edhewitt on this. I assume helmut0 means the "thumb pad test," which entails touching your edge gently across the edge and not "running" or "sliding" it across the edge. That will cut you. With the "thumb pad test," if it feels as if your skin is sticking to the edge, then you have a good edge, where you can stop or move on to the next level in your honing method. Either way, the final test is the shave test: if your razor shaves you well, then it is shave ready. Still, all this is far ahead of you. For now, concern yourself with stropping properly. The strop is one of the most important elements in straight razor shaving. Learn it and learn it well.

Are you using a hanging strop? If so, then try laying it on the counter and go slowly applying just enough pressure to keep the razor in contact with the strop all the way across. I would wager that you have rolled the edge or degraded it in some way so it would not be a bad idea to send it out to be re-honed. The mistake that is most often made and exacerbated by the advent of YouTube is going to fast. When you watch someone like Lynn or Glen stropping really fast you get the notion that is the way it should be done, it's not. Go slow and build consistency, speed will come with time, lots of time.

Originally Posted by guitstik

Are you using a hanging strop? If so, then try laying it on the counter and go slowly applying just enough pressure to keep the razor in contact with the strop all the way across. I would wager that you have rolled the edge or degraded it in some way so it would not be a bad idea to send it out to be re-honed. The mistake that is most often made and exacerbated by the advent of YouTube is going to fast. When you watch someone like Lynn or Glen stropping really fast you get the notion that is the way it should be done, it's not. Go slow and build consistency, speed will come with time, lots of time.

Would anyone else suggest the laying the strop on the counter? Then how will I learn using it while hanging? Update on the irritation my face is now back to normal and I'm enjoying a BBS face on a Sunday, God bless. I think technique was the problem at work here.

Hi Scott: If you cut the strap the edge has been dulled. I strop very slow and try to make sure the entire edge of my blade is in contact with the leather. If I try to gain speed my blade edge loses contact with the leather. It may be time to visit the finishing stone for a few strokes without applying any downward pressure on the blade. Good Luck.