Thread: Question after first attempt

Okay folks, this morning I had my first go at using a straight razor (this is after using DEs since later last year). I got a "sight unseen" razor from Larry at Whipped Dog, which is meant to be shave ready and even includes a note advising not to strop it before the first shave. All I did was wipe off the oil he had coated the blade with, using some tissue.

However, I'm a bit confused. I lathered up some CRSW Select, got it to what seemed like a nice slick point, then got going on my right cheek. Obviously it's a bit awkward at first figuring out angle and such. But the razor TUGGED. The friction surprised me; with a DE this sort of tugging or chattering tells me either the blade is dull or the lather isn't slick. But when I switched over to my DE for other parts of my face, the glide was just fine.

Oh, I should mention too that I had had a very close shave the day before, so this morning the growth was pretty minimal.

My first thought is that the razor just isn't sharp, but that would surprise me given Larry has a good reputation. Was I doing something wrong? Does SR shaving take significantly more cutting-direction force than DEs? I can't imagine that tugging feeling is normal.

For what it's worth, I didn't cut myself nor did I have any irritation or real alum sting, so at least there's that. But what's going on here?

It could go either way. Being new it could be lack of experience. Larry is a good honest person. Try contacting him first. It is possible the razor was not quite ready. Not by intent but by accident. We all have gotten interrupted and missed a step. It may just need a good strop. I am positive he will work with you. Good luck.

One thing that will cause a straight to "chatter" is too high a blade angle. Even a super sharp blade may not glide with too high an angle of attack.

Try lowering the spine so that the razor is nearly flat against your skin; you'll probably find that the best angle is somewhere between almost flat and about 1 1/2 spine widths off the skin.

Good luck!

Will the razor "pop, cut leg or arm hair at mid length". If the answer is no it may need some laps on the leather. These videos may help your shaving technique.

http://youtu.be/

http://youtu.be/r24ar_SSGVo

http://youtu.be/XIM0Coix6Gg

Originally Posted by feltspanky

Will the razor "pop, cut leg or arm hair at mid length". If the answer is no it may need some laps on the leather. These videos may help your shaving technique.

http://youtu.be/

http://youtu.be/r24ar_SSGVo

http://youtu.be/XIM0Coix6Gg

Thank You for posting these links. I use a DE razor daily and am going to switch over to a straight razor. My Uncle taught me how to shave with a Straight Razor when I was 16 or 17, before I went in the service, but I have not used one in many years. When my Aunt died, when we were cleaning out her house I got my Uncles Straight Razors.

Originally Posted by Dzanda

One thing that will cause a straight to "chatter" is too high a blade angle. Even a super sharp blade may not glide with too high an angle of attack.

Try lowering the spine so that the razor is nearly flat against your skin; you'll probably find that the best angle is somewhere between almost flat and about 1 1/2 spine widths off the skin.

Good luck!

Interesting. If anything I felt like I was erring on the side of a too-shallow angle (spine pretty close to my face), but obviously it was just my first go so I don't really know for sure. But I did try to change the angle a bit and still had the tugging, rough feeling.

I've emailed Larry as well to see if he has any thoughts. I suppose it's possible that the razor wasn't really shave-ready. It's so tough to gauge when I don't know what it's SUPPOSED to feel like.

from the reading i have done a good lather for a D/E may be a little dry for straight razor use. also as has been mentioned angle could come into it too. i think one partial shave is possibly a little early to jump to conclusions about equipment.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

from the reading i have done a good lather for a D/E may be a little dry for straight razor use. also as has been mentioned angle could come into it too. i think one partial shave is possibly a little early to jump to conclusions about equipment.

Agreed; I certainly am not making any assumptions. I was just surprised as I didn't expect that much tugging, roughness, chatter, etc. The good news is that I didn't cut or irritate myself, and using my left hand on my left cheek, while a bit awkward, was nowhere near as bad as I expected, so all of that bodes well.

No one expects it to be that way ,, but the simple truth is , it's your first go at ,, after a 50 or so shaves it gets to where your blades were better than you thought ,,mi think we all want instant effects , but it seldom happens that way ,, I use a razor now that was one of my first shaves. I thought it was dull, but I use it today with the same edge it had back then ,, time will get you there , good luck. Tc

Everyone has a different experience when starting with the straight. I went from 5/8 German to 4/8 German hollow ground and from there to 15/16 Sheffield . I went from actually being afraid o using a wedge to preferring one. just like tcrideshd said in the previous post I went from razors that I considered not very sharp to ha they're extremely sharp. As we learn we get faster at the game and more efficient. and we enjoy the experience more. Don't give up you'll get there. Remember relax and enjoy.