Thread: Trouble Getting Straight Shave a Smooth as My DE, Question About Honing

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I've had this Coticule for years & I'm just now getting the best out of her,,,,

Guess I need to buy one and start now

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I may just need to keep working on my technique.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

First and Foremost, any questions about the quality of the edge should be discussed with the person who did your honing. I know of one Pro who always finishes Sheffield Steel on a Coti/he says they just work so well together. After honing literally 1000's of razors I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.

With that said, I think that you're still learning the angles, the prep etc. Also if your stropping is up to snuff that's going to hurt the quality.

How's the beard prep? I can get away with very little with a DE, but my quality suffers if I skimp when I use a straight.

Also how long to you allot yourself to shave? When I first started using a straight, I could count on about 30+ minutes to prep and then shave. Don't rush yourself/enjoy the time/if you're rushed in the morning try shaving at night. I do and do so most every day.

Hang in there, it will come and once it does, you'll only be using a DE for those 'bad' days such as when a case of the brown bottle flu hits you!

I didn't have an issue with the quality of the edge, I just thought it a finer edge may be better if my hair is coarser than average. I'm pretty sure he mentioned he was finishing the W&B's on the coticule because they were Sheffields. I just didn't mention his name, because I didn't want anyone to misconstrue my post as being critical of his work. I'm sure it was done right.
I usually shave right after I get out of the shower. I'm still using canned shaving cream.
I don't have anything to compare my stropping to. I go pretty slow so I don't cut up my strop. The wedge seems easier to strop because of the weight of the blade.
I'm using a homemade strop right now. In the near future, I would like to get a professionally made leather strop with a linen or fabric component.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In my experience it is not unusual to get a better shave with a DE than with a straight when in the learning stages. Add to that, the wedge razors might prove more sensitive to technique than the full hollows, though some might argue that point. (no pun) Anyway ..... note that in general a W&B 'hollow ground' is not the same animal as a Solingen full hollow. So it may very well be a quarter hollow, which is a stiffer grind than a full.

Very desirable for an experienced shaver, but not necessarily as easily mastered by a new shaver. Also the coticule edge can be as sharp as any, but not always. They tend to be more gentle than crisp, like a synthetic. I'm sure you've read that there is a 'learning curve' with straight razors. This may be the crux of the matter. Really, without seeing and feeling the razors it is impossible to say. All we can do is theorize.

I used the term 'hollow' as a broad term. It looks like a half hollow to me. I just thought I would mention that I was using the two types of blades. I'll try using the half hollow more and maybe I'll see some improvement.
I have some larger hollow (half hollow I believe) razors. One of them is a 8/8 W&B. If I got it rescaled and honed, would it be easier to learn with than my 5/8" half hollow?

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by furious

I think I need to get a coticule!!

As Glen would say:

"No amount of money spent on a Stone can ever replace the value of the time it takes learning to use it properly"
Very Respectfully - Glen

Originally Posted by JP5

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. I may just need to keep working on my technique.

I'm still using canned shaving cream.

I don't have anything to compare my stropping to. I go pretty slow so I don't cut up my strop. The wedge seems easier to strop because of the weight of the blade.
I'm using a homemade strop right now. In the near future, I would like to get a professionally made leather strop with a linen or fabric component.

I have some larger hollow (half hollow I believe) razors. One of them is a 8/8 W&B. If I got it rescaled and honed, would it be easier to learn with than my 5/8" half hollow?

Thanks again.

I think that you've answered part of your situation. The Canned Shaving Cream is fine for using with the disposables and while not the Ultimate will work with a DE, however they tend to lack the moisturizing and slickness that a brush and a decent shaving soap will do. While I may be chastised for saying it, even the Van De Hagen is better than the canned soap.

The size, grind, maker etc makes no difference! If you can't get a good shave with what you have (which is a couple of good razors/Pro Honed) then your just wasting your time!!

As has been brought up/Learning this Age Old Art takes Time and Patience!

You need to do just that! Be Patient and Acknowledge that to learn this Ancient Art takes time.

Hang in there! It will come! It will just take 'Time'.

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

Wow, ditch the canned goop and learn to make a good lather with a shave soap and brush. Once you learn to make a good lather that way you will be surprised the difference that can make.

Bob

Another question to ask is, realistically, how smooth of a shave do you really need? You don't even need to do an ATG pass to have a visibly smooth shave. Unless you have someone stroking your face ATG, your face will feel smooth.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I think that you've answered part of your situation. The Canned Shaving Cream is fine for using with the disposables and while not the Ultimate will work with a DE, however they tend to lack the moisturizing and slickness that a brush and a decent shaving soap will do. While I may be chastised for saying it, even the Van De Hagen is better than the canned soap.

The size, grind, maker etc makes no difference! If you can't get a good shave with what you have (which is a couple of good razors/Pro Honed) then your just wasting your time!!

As has been brought up/Learning this Age Old Art takes Time and Patience!

You need to do just that! Be Patient and Acknowledge that to learn this Ancient Art takes time.

Hang in there! It will come! It will just take 'Time'.

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

I agree in general that the size and grind is not a big issue if all the blades are quality, but I think us newbies are better off sticking to a single razor for a while until we develop some degree of proficiency. It can be frustrating to switch blades in the search of 'the right one' when we're still trying to learn technique.

-Steve

Originally Posted by SteveA

I agree in general that the size and grind is not a big issue if all the blades are quality, but I think us newbies are better off sticking to a single razor for a while until we develop some degree of proficiency. It can be frustrating to switch blades in the search of 'the right one' when we're still trying to learn technique.

-Steve

Perry Mason wouldn't argue against your case!