Thread: Razor Edge Dead after one shave

Originally Posted by tseeker1

Wow,

I had a straight razor ready to shave and boom I got one shave or shall say a half and it started to pull like a Tugboat pulling a Barge.Dam that went south fast.
Question is I have a beard that destroys Mach Three Razors in 2 shaves. Am I ever going to get a razor to stay sharp enough to straight shave the whole beard? I am using a Edwin Jagger and have a Double Duck coming in.

Please advise on what to get to keep this going as far as stones and strops.Money is not a problem so what ever the best is I could fly with that. If I am going to do this and make it a daily rituale thats the way I am looking at it.

Thank you
Ed

Whilst the above is really great advice remember that when using a crap III users don't wet their face before lathering let alone use hot water to soften the beard well. I too have very coarse hair and was getting uncomfortable shaves (cheeks went well but the chin/neck was hell) and I was given to thinking the blade was fading when I was using it. I was wrong.

My beard is that bad that even a Lyn honed edge had a fight to shift the problem areas but this was down to really getting the hairs soft or rather me not doing this.

Try experimenting with pre-shave treatments, plenty of hot towels and more hot water that you believe is necessary, this may help before you dash to the hone!

Just my twopen'orth

You didn't mention how experienced you are with a straight so that may be your problem.

The best way to tackle this kind of problem is to start with the easiest and go from there. I would review my prep to see what I could improve there, then review my stropping technique to make your I'm not damaging the edge then I would look at the sharpness of the razor itself. It could be the razor is just sharp enough to do the job and quickly fails. If you had a Lynn honed razor and had trouble with that I'd be reviewing my stropping. You might be just dulling the edge.

I'm one of those guys who thinks any straight no matter the size or grind will properly shave any beard so I'd be looking at what I mentioned.

To all of you THANK YOU and I will try all of the advice .I will send one off to lynn and go from that point on.

Ed

Also try conditioner on the beard. When I joined the forum I could not shave against the grain (course beard as well), and a member suggested conditioner in the shower to soften the hairs. It has worked like a charm and I'm getting double pass smooth shaves every time.

I agree that this sounds like an overhoned edge...starts off sharp and wears down quickly.

I have a beard that will blunt a Mach III in 3 shaves, but my straight lasts for about a month without needing honing