Thread: Question after first attempt

Thanks again for everyone's responses. I just heard back from Larry, and indeed he's being very helpful. Of course it's possible that the razor isn't honed properly, but he's saying it's far more likely that it's a technique issue. I believe it! One thing he suggested was doing an initial "beard reduction" pass where the blade is flat against the skin. I'm certainly willing to try it, but I'm wondering, is that the usual way the first pass goes? I can't remember that from any of the videos I've seen.

Also, my growth was really minimal this morning on my cheeks, so I didn't think I needed too much reduction as I was already working with very short stubble. But maybe I'm missing how that process works.

In any event, I'll give it another try tomorrow and also possibly try stropping on the oxide balsa strop Larry included in the kit, as he suggested.

have you mapped your beard? with the grain is rarely straight north-south. also what is your stretching like? there are other useful techniques such as guillotine and scything strokes, but I would start with the direction and stretching.

stretching can also encompass skin manipulation i.e. pulling your skin diagonally to "change" the direction of growth so with the grain passes are possible more easily, and also moving your jawline up or down to a flatter surface.

One thing to also keep in mind is that the blade is 2 - 2 1/2 times as wide as a DE blade, so you are taking much more whiskers per stroke, you will feel more resistance as you cut them. Lather and prep are very important with a straight, try and do the best prep and lather you can and give it a try. For the angle, lay the blade flat against your face and raise it just off and try that and slowly raise the angle until you find the sweet spot (you'll probably know right away when you find it)

I do feel like the angle must be a lot to do with it, as this morning I erred on the side of shallow (spine almost or literally touching the skin), and I felt a bit less tugging. On the other hand, I'm not sure that I was cutting very effectively. These were WTG passes on my right and left cheeks, by the way.

I've definitely done the face mapping thing, as it was a big help when I first started DE shaving. To be clear, my DE shaving has become really good and satisfying, which was probably what prompted giving a straight a try: I think I wanted more challenge.

So, still some feeling of tugging this morning, but less so. Perhaps it's just that a straight will always feel different, in the stroke, than a DE. I certainly accept that technique and great prep will make a difference.

Speaking of prep, I had a great lather from Cella this morning, to the creamy slick point where I'd stop for DE shaves. But I added more water, going off the suggestion for SR shaving, and ended up with lather that dried out much faster than I've ever seen before. So I feel like I'm still doing something wrong there. Maybe I'm over-thinking "straight razor lather," and should go with what I already learned of slick lather with my DE shaves?

What is the blade width (5/8" e.g.?) anything under 9/16" can be an issue for a new user as it is harder to maintain a consistent angle. Anything under 4/8" can really be hard to control

Originally Posted by rodb

What is the blade width (5/8" e.g.?) anything under 9/16" can be an issue for a new user as it is harder to maintain a consistent angle. Anything under 4/8" can really be hard to control

I'm not sure; I'll have to measure. Not sure if you can tell just from the picture at the start of this thread.

BTW, to have something to compare the Whipped Dog razor to, I just placed an order at SRD for a Ralf Aust 5/8"; despite these rough, slow-going first few tries, I'm motivated to stick with SR shaving until I get it down.

BTW, to have something to compare the Whipped Dog razor to, I just placed an order at SRD for a Ralf Aust 5/8"; despite these rough, slow-going first few tries, I'm motivated to stick with SR shaving until I get it down.[/QUOTE]

Excellent choice, you won't be disappointed.

If you can, try leaving a couple or more days between shaves so that you have a bit of growth to play with.

+1 on the Ralf Aust, I've honed and shave tested a couple of those and they are really nice.

I'm not seeing the picture for some reason

Also remember that starting off a new to straight shaving will more than likely not have the angle right. once you do have the angle and prep right the shave is a lot smoother and easier on the face. I have made many jokes about shaving with a straight razor . I would say it's no different than scraping a hog (I grew up on a farm many years ago) but in truth it's completely different. after the prep it's all about the angle.