1st Time with a Straight Razor

Today I finally got my first straight razor - A Dovo Desert Ironwood 5/8" and couldn't wait to try it. So upon openning it - I tried the HHT and it failed. I assume that's whats expected from a brand new razor. Anyways - I stropped it and decided to shave for the first time.

The results - A decend shave (but not a bbs shave) - I went with the grain and against the grain. No cuts (but I kept my goatie - so I avoided the hard parts) - Took some time as I shaved only with my right hand.

I had what felt like 2 spots of razor burn, alittle red on the skin. After using my after shave lotion - both spots were gone.

I'm somewhat happy that it went so good! Tomorrow I'm going to Lee Valleys to get me that norton water stone.

Wish I had done this sooner!
Johnny

Hi,

congratulations on your positive first-time-result, you can count yourself a bit lucky as by far not everybody is having a good first time with his Str8.

Just a small word of warning with regard to that norton stone: to me it sounds as if the razor in itself cannot be that dull, as you got a decent shave even against the grain. I don't know about your experience level with razor honing, but it would be a shame if you render your shaveable razor useless by an inexperienced honing effort.

I don't want to interfere with your personal razor (& honing) experience, just don't claim afterwards that nobody warned you :D

Good luck and have fun,
-Axel-

Congrats! I'd start with 10-20 passes on 8K and try again. Use a light touch and have fun Looks like you got a really nice razor!

Keep the goatee for a while, makes it much, much easier to learn.

aschaab is right, go slow and easy. And it does sound like your first shave went very well.

Hi and thanks for the replies.

As for the norton stone - I did do 10 or so passes on 8k - very lightly - but I really didn't notice any dramtic differences. Blade is sharp when testing on my finger nail. I can also cut the hair on my fore arm - but I can't do that hht. Is this normal?

I just did another shave - and no cuts. Shave was just as good as when doing 2 passes with my DE razor.

Question - if my blade is not as sharp as it could be - would it make it easier for me to shave? I say this cause I haven't cut or nick myself yet. I do go slowly and it takes my about 20-30 mins to shave - but I just saw a picture of someone here with 10 plus cuts on his face.

Also - when stropping - I get some leather dust on the back of the blade after 10+ passes - is this normal? I'm using a brand new dovo leather strop - 2inches wide - no paste or anything.

Thanks

If you got a decent shave without honing, then you were lucky, and we'd classify your razor as 'shave ready'. A decent shave is one that removes most hair on the first pass, although it may need a second pass in a different direction to hit BBS, and doesn't pull or tug the hairs in difficult spots - which for most people means the chin.

If your razor is shave ready, then it should be good for 10-15 shaves at least without rehoning. Just so long as you strop 20-30 return strokes before each shave. Dust from the strop is perfectly normal, it all depends on how old/new the strop is, and if you apply any dressing to it. I 'warm up' my strop by rubbing the palm of my hand up and down it a few times. It might not make any difference, but I like to do it :-).

It should be easier to shave, assuming good technique, with a properly sharp razor. You need very light strokes at a shallow angle to your face. With a less sharp razor, you need heavier strokes.

Some people can get HHT; others can't. It's not as good an indicator of shave readiness as a test shave, so I wouldn't worry about it. In my experience, a razor honed with a Norton 8K is quite likely to pull, even at it's best; it all depends on your sensitivity and honing skills; a finishing hone may be required to get a really first class shave.

Yes, a sharper blade helps. In your case I think your doing fine. I wouldn't do any more, just keep at it and practice a little.

You can add some dressing to the strop or simply rub it with the palm of your hand everytime you pass by for about a week and you'll apply natural oils to the strop that should lessen the "dust".