Thread: How sharp?

Originally Posted by Billythebadger

Just completed 3rd straight shave,even though razor is taking off hair I no way get a close a shave as I do with my DE's.Using the razor on the inside of my forearm to test sharpness it takes off hairs no problem but when shaving the beard it does not seem to be as sharp as the feather blades in my DE.How sharp does rhe straight need to be, is the angle of shaving, am I using too light amount of pressure? Thanks.

With anything involving a straight razor, there is no such thing as "too light amount of pressure". I suppose if you only take the whipped peaks off of the shaving cream that is on your face, ya might be holding back a bit too much... lol.

Though I am personally uninitiated in the use of DE's & shavettes, from what I've read, the Feather blades tend to "feel" and "be" extremely sharp. Also, modern disposable blades are coated with non-stick stuff. So that would be another reason why a SR will feel different.

On a final note, I'd like to leave you with a perfect visualization/reminder of "no pressure":
https://youtu.be/qotCfV7Vgtg?t=562

Originally Posted by Steel

I get BETTER shaves (smoother with less irritation) than I do from a DE or feather blade in my shavette. That being said, straight razors have a much higher learning curve. You shouldn't be surprised if it doesn't measure up right away. Maintenance, honing, technique, blade quality, and many other variables all have to be worked out and/or mastered. Eventually you will get there with practice. Rarely do people get it right away or even in a few months but for me it's worth the effort!

^ *** this

Just posted a thread in shaving with a straight razor. Angle and technique has really improved my shaves. You're going through the normal experience of a newbie straight razor shaver. Keep at it. Continue to experiment. Learn how to hone, strop etc. properly. Pay close attention to your angle. You'll be getting it right in no time

Originally Posted by Crawler

With anything involving a straight razor, there is no such thing as "too light amount of pressure". I suppose if you only take the whipped peaks off of the shaving cream that is on your face, ya might be holding back a bit too much... lol.

Though I am personally uninitiated in the use of DE's & shavettes, from what I've read, the Feather blades tend to "feel" and "be" extremely sharp. Also, modern disposable blades are coated with non-stick stuff. So that would be another reason why a SR will feel different.

On a final note, I'd like to leave you with a perfect visualization/reminder of "no pressure":
https://youtu.be/qotCfV7Vgtg?t=562

Crawler, it's not very nice to shave unconscious women's faces and put the video on youtube...

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Crawler, it's not very nice to shave unconscious women's faces and put the video on youtube...

Har-har-har . It's a video of some sort of newfangled spa treatment. In this context, it is meant more for exfoliation than hair removal. And I doubt that the client is fully asleep, even by the end of the video when she is basically slack-jawed. Mire like "very relaxed". You can tell, if you start the video from the beginning, that she wasn't chloroform'd lol.

After 3 shaves it still hard to judge, the pressure should be real light and the usual starting angle is 1-2 spine widths off the skin. Good prep and skin stretching can make all the difference as well.

One sharpness test that works for some but not all is to see if it will treetop arm/leg/chest hairs, strop first. Hold the razor above the skin and see if it will cut hair (this will not work for everyone, but many it will), if it cuts hair it's probably technique, if not it could be the razor.

Originally Posted by Billythebadger

Just completed 3rd straight shave,even though razor is taking off hair I no way get a close a shave as I do with my DE's.Using the razor on the inside of my forearm to test sharpness it takes off hairs no problem but when shaving the beard it does not seem to be as sharp as the feather blades in my DE.How sharp does rhe straight need to be, is the angle of shaving, am I using too light amount of pressure? Thanks.

Had another go this evening, stropped the razor(40round trips) used pre shave oil took everything nice light & slow, much better shave! Thanks for all the advice. Is it nessasry to strop after shaving as well as before ? Also is it worth getting a second razor to rotate? If so any suggestions welcome . Cheers.

Originally Posted by Billythebadger

Had another go this evening, stropped the razor(40round trips) used pre shave oil took everything nice light & slow, much better shave! Thanks for all the advice. Is it nessasry to strop after shaving as well as before ? Also is it worth getting a second razor to rotate? If so any suggestions welcome . Cheers.

Stropping when, and how much is by-'n-large a "YMMV" thing. Most agree on at least some stropping after the shave (only lunatics don't bother to strop beforehand). IMO, stropping at least ten laps (or more) on each strop material (fabric/webbing/soft towel followed by leather) in order to dry the edge of the razor is very sound logic. The edge is difficult to dry in any other way; it's also the thinnest piece of metal, making it the most vulnerable to corrosion.

As for a second razor: a rotation isn't required. But, if you have more than one razor, you won't be left scruffy if you have to send one out for honing.

I hope this was helpful!