Thread: Discouraged- need pep talk

Thanks for all of the quick feedback everybody. I didn't mention before but I have 4 different straights. I started buying them just out of lusting after them as works of art to display with my shaving goodies but wanted to learn how to use them as well. I have a Dovo Carre (and another almost identical but without any markings, etc, made for another online shaving store by Dovo), a Hart Steele "Not a Replica", and a Boker King Cutter (That's the one I bought to learn with). I should probably stick with one but I've been trying them all at different times. I sent them all in to the big guy himself at the store associated with this site so I know they were all shave ready and in good shape. My big fear is that I've dulled them by stropping incorrectly. I don't have anyone in proximity that I know of that can show me in person; but I've watched a lot of videos and also bought the straight razor shaving DVD as well. A lot of people have mentioned to keep with it and practice more. That's an obvious answer but what I needed to hear to reinforce the point, so I appreciate it.

Forgot to mention too; I've been wet shaving with a DE for a couple of years so I'm proficient with the creams, soaps, brush, etc. The stropping I'm definitely not so confident with and I am thinking I may have dulled my blades by doing it incorrectly. Maybe I'll send one in to have it honed and stick with only it for a while. And I'll use it first without trying to strop it as suggested above as well. Thanks a lot.

Just a suggestion but if you send two out you can shave with one a have one as a benchmark. You can practice stropping with only blade weight for pressure with a butter knife on anything. Once you get the hang of going easy and slow on the flip and not using any pressure but still making contact with the edge you will see an improvement in shaves. This shaving with a straight takes time and practice. You will achieve what you try to achieve.

Here is a list of mentors SRP Staff - Straight Razor Place Forum you might find one near you. If you put your location in your profile there might be someone near you that could assist also.

Bob

Another factor to think about is the grind of the razors you are using in your rotation. Different blade grinds will give differing "feedbacks" and thus change the feel of the shave. An example of this would be a full grind blade will give much more feedback than a quarter grind or wedge blade. This can affect the learning curve if you are using different grind or blade styles each time you shave. My suggestion is that you pick two of your razors of matching or most similar grind and style to send out to be honed. When you get them back use only those two razors until you get comfortable and proficient with strokes, angles etc.

My second piece of advise is to not rush things. I see a lot of threads here where newbies ask about how long it takes to shave. Do not worry about your speed, take the time to enjoy the process. Speed and efficiency will come with experience. Most of my nicks, scrapes and razor burn are a result of getting in a hurry or getting distracted and careless.

Stick with it and don't give up. Enjoy the experience.

Let people know where are you located Matt
There maybe someone close by who can give some face to face instruction or check your equipment and use of it

Checked earlier posts Houston

OP check your PMs

Originally Posted by Substance

Let people know where are you located Matt
There maybe someone close by who can give some face to face instruction or check your equipment and use of it

Checked earlier posts Houston

If you are in Texas there are a few members locally.

Firstly I would say that sticking with one razor for a while will be advantageous, something that I did was to send my razor back after about a month or so of daily use and ask the honer to give me some feedback on my edge care, if it goes back to the same person they should be able to see what the edge looks like compared to what they sent you and let you know how you are going.

Originally Posted by DustySuds

Another factor to think about is the grind of the razors you are using in your rotation. Different blade grinds will give differing "feedbacks" and thus change the feel of the shave. An example of this would be a full grind blade will give much more feedback than a quarter grind or wedge blade. This can affect the learning curve if you are using different grind or blade styles each time you shave. My suggestion is that you pick two of your razors of matching or most similar grind and style to send out to be honed. When you get them back use only those two razors until you get comfortable and proficient with strokes, angles etc.

My second piece of advise is to not rush things. I see a lot of threads here where newbies ask about how long it takes to shave. Do not worry about your speed, take the time to enjoy the process. Speed and efficiency will come with experience. Most of my nicks, scrapes and razor burn are a result of getting in a hurry or getting distracted and careless.

Stick with it and don't give up. Enjoy the experience.

I agree with the grinds of your razor you said you have 4 i'd pick 2 with the same grind and same size(example: 5/8 full hollow grind) if you can and send them both back to lynn for honing when you get them back pick one to use as your daily shaving razor that way you can learn how it feels on your face. Also let your whiskers grow out for a while so you can accurately map their direction. when you feel that tugging as your razor cut through your beard it's time to switch to the other honed razor and send the first back. If it is of the same grind there shouldn't be much adjustment needed between the razors. i think that will help you in the long run to practice with two razors of the same grind and size.
My opinion that 2 razors are better than one so you can switch when one needs honing not before.
learn to use one.. first then once you know you can shave with it the way you like your shaves you can experiment with other grinds and sizes..

If you did not shave daily with straights in this last year, I suggest you consider doing so.
I believe that shaving with a straight only occasionally (e.g. on weekends) is not the best way to develop the necessary technique and will hamper your progress.

A widely accepted opinion is that it takes about 100 shaves to become proficient.
When I switched from safety razor to straight, I went "cold turkey" and shaved almost exclusively with straights for one year and managed to achieve the elusive BBS shave in less than 100 shaves, but I still keep discovering small nuances that improve my shave.
Even if I had to plan an additional 20 minutes every morning; to me it was worth it.

I started with a single pass; progressed fairly quickly to three passes, but kept the safety razor for the last pass for the first few weeks. After that I only used the safety razor for an occasional control shave on one side of my face to have something to compare the other half of my face against that I shaved with a straight.

It is easy for a beginner to blunt a shave-ready edge, so it may be advisable to send the razors to be honed again.

Otherwise, and as it is less important for a DE shaver; I would stick to a meticulous prep with warm water and soap to soften the beard, make sure the skin is stretched correctly, and keep variables (soap/cream, razor ) to a minimum as this will make it easier to detect mistakes in technique.


And I do admit there were moments in-between when I had a disappointing shave and was wondering whether it was all worth it, but the next morning I reached for my straight nevertheless and ultimately persevered.


Good luck.


B.