Thread: It shaves but it pulls a little too much

Hi guys. I got into straight razors a couple of months ago and got my first straight razor from SRD last month.
I know I have a really hard beard and even during the first time I used the razor it was pulling a little bit, but now it is a little too much. I think the cause is that I stropped the razor with too much pressure the first times. Not crazy pressure, but I think I contributed to lose a nice edge.
I am much better now, but I can't get a comfortable edge for shaving. I tried the razor on my arm hair and doesn't cut any or just a couple even if I strop with CO compound before the regular stropping.
Any advice?

Send it out to a pro to get honed. You'll be impressed by the difference after a decent bit of use. Maybe get a second one so you can compare when you think one is getting a bit blunt, also so you can have one to shave with when one is out for honing.

Sounds like it is time to have it honed.

Bob

Advice? Yes, send your razor back in for your free honing. While the razor is away review in your mind all the moves you made with your razor from shaving to stropping and compare that to the recommended techniques you can read about here.

Everything needs to be correct from the condition of the edge to the angle of the razor blade on your skin. From your account of even your first shave I suspect your angle was wrong and you may have been using to much pressure.

Get a copy of Lynn's video and watch and rematch it while your razor is away for honing.
With the return of your razor take a calm calculated approach and do not rush anything.

Tough to say but I would start with making sure your beard prep is sufficient. Since you claimed a heavy or tough beard I would focus on that variable first as you may need extra effort to soften that beard of yours. I'm not sure what happened when you stropped the razor but as long as you didn't lift the spine during stropping a razor can handle a moderate amount of stropping pressure without damage as long as you don't go crazy. Check the edge with a magnifier or loupe and see if there is evidence of edge damage that might be attributed to bad stropping. if you think the edge looks alright then maybe try to strop on some Chromium Oxide again but use a bench or paddle strop for this if possible as I think it gives much better results wipe off the blade and give it a good stropping on leather and just be careful. After a thorough beard prep try and shave again if this fails then I would suggest either getting it re honed i believe SRD gives you a re hone on the house so take advantage. Hope this helps and good luck.

It sounds like you have rolled the edge with improper stropping. It happens to all of us in the beginning its part of the learning curve. IMO the only thing that will help is a touch up by someone experienced in honing. I would give up on the paste right now. you are probably doing more harm than good. If the razor came from SRD they used to offer a free honing with the price of the razor. I would send it back and let Lynn work his voodoo on it. Meanwhile I would try to find a mentor in my area who could help you work on technique. Don't worry over it,things get easier the more you do it.

Aww man, Rochester?! Now I want a DiBella's Dagwood....

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Aww man, Rochester?! Now I want a DiBella's Dagwood....

You will not believe it, but never tried DiBella

Thanks guys.
Yes I have the free honing coupon. I was just thinking that maybe it was too soon.
I prep my beard with pre shaving oil, also wash it with hot water for long time, spend a lot of time on applying soap/cream, wait some minutes (in the while I strop the razor) and reapply the soap/cream. All things I did even when I was shaving with disposable razors for the simple reason that I also have a delicate skin. Really bad combination that I will never wish to anybody; rough beard/delicate skin.
I checked the blade with a magnifier and I don't see any damage, the edge looks perfect. I always stropped the razor rolling on the spine and properly and the only doubt I had about it was the pressure on the strop.
That's why I am asking, I can't really find anything wrong except the pressure in stropping.
I think I will send it soon, just to see the difference I would be surprised if it is just my beard.

Originally Posted by Kloss

You will not believe it, but never tried DiBella

I've driven back to Rochester "to visit friends," but in reality it was for DiBella's and the garbage plates. I have never found bread half as good as theirs in the midwest...

Back to razors, sending it in sounds like the best route. It's too bad that this connection wasn't made a few months ago, I was there for my old roommate's wedding...