Thread: Newbie Shaving & Honing Question

Shaving:
If I understood Lynn's post correctly, the spine of the blade should be RAISED at least 45° from your face when shaving?
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

When i dry tested the edge,it would cut long hair on my jaw okay, but still pulled the short neck hair (i think some of it May have been technique though)

Honing:
Should I have used another grit instead of going from 6k to 12k?



Thanks!


EDIT:
Here is a link, OP was from phone so I kept it short.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

Excerpt:
In addition to a comfortable feel the proper angle for cutting hair/whisker with a straight razor is usually 30 degrees or less. This may seem very straight forward, but it is the single largest nemesis in obtaining a comfortable straight razor shave. The tendency for most people is to allow the razor to flatten out to an angle of 45 degrees or more and particularly around the chin, flatten the angle out to as much as 90 degrees. Typically this is what causes the scraping and pulling sensation that is most uncomfortable along with not properly removing all the hair/whisker.

I have no idea to which of Lynn's posts you are referring to. I cannot think of anything I do with a razor which has the blade at a 45 degree angle. Some clarification would be nice. The jump from 6K to 12K is a long one for a beginner but if you are really knowledgable you could do a jump from 1K to 12K, depending on the stones used as well I am sure. Looking at your join date makes me think that you are new to all of this. In such an event you should learn to shave and then learn to hone, it is much more simple and removes a few variable.

Yes, a link to what Lynn said would be very helpful.

Bob

On the home page of SRP is a video to watch with Lynn honing.
He always has the spine placed on the hone.

If you hone at a 45* and you might as will kiss your razor goodbye.

ouch, I got a headache trying to read that post.

I don't usually post from phone. I see the problem now. Think I fixed it.
Sorry about that!

I think you have the angle off. I think using degrees requires too much thinking when shaving. One to three spine widths is what I watch for, depending on the pass direction. I tend to shave more at one than three. In the beginning I shaved way more passes than I do now trying to learn my face and technique. As most I started with one north to south pass, then added ears to chin, then added south to north. Then I started to subtract bits and pieces that made no sense. My angle varies a little with my different directions of shave, the angle stays very low on my neck regardless of shave direction, to keep irritation at bay. Cheeks and sideburns, my angle opens up a bit but still fairly low. You will have to figure your whiskers growth and skin preferences out to get your ideal angles but I would suggest starting low, two spine widths or so.

I would bet my life on technique being the culprit. keep at it and your problem will solve itself but the learning curve is a great one that is well worth the effort

+1 on what Shaun (Rezdog) said....it is almost my exact path to success (such as I have). The angle to your face is alleged to be 20-30 degrees, not 45, which usuallytranslates to 1-3 spine widths from your face, but it varies by razor and face and part of face, as well as direction of stroke. I tend to adjust as I travel around my face. Sometimes on big, heavy blades I can use a larger angle, but on 5/8 extra hollow blades if I don't keep the spine close I tend to nick myself. You also will learn the sound of each razor cutting whiskers.

We tend to say shave to just wipe the lather off, but clearly have to have enough of an angle for the edge to catch the hairs. It remains and experimental learning process for a while, and many of us still are adjusting and are "works in progress" even after years of shaving. Most of all, enjoy the experience and the learning.

Taking a Bic, lather and scraping away takes minimal thought.

Taking a straight razor requires more knowledge of the quipment and face/beard.
Thus, an art form tailored to each individual.

My first straight razor shave at a proper barber shop started with the barber actually looking and feeling the grain/angle/direction of my beard before he started anything.