Thread: Thinking of trying straights

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I too am thinking of the streight, but I have two problems here, one is finding someone to show me how to use these things in the Washington, DC area; second I am paying currently approximatly three cents per day for the blades in my safety razor, if a streight razor set costs me $115 it would take me approximatly 15 years to make up the cost of the streight for the price per blade that I am getting. The fifteen year mark is a bit high for me. Can anyone help.

You can find quality, shave ready razors here in the buy/sell forum or on ebay for a lot less than $100. Be careful on ebay - check Altima55 and Mannyware - both good sellers. If all you care about is the most cost effective shave, I'd say its hard to beat the DE. But if you're a more hands-on kind of guy, the experience of shaving witha straight and all it involves is much more satisfying. Just my opinion.

Jordan

Originally Posted by edk442

and couldn't we all use a little more sexiness in our lives i know i could...i have 5 strops

A strop as a fetish? That would put TM in the sex business!

My current favorite setup, and some of these items can transfer, is a Gillette 1940 Super Speed, a Sputnik blade, Best Badger Brush and Crabtree and Evelyn Nomad soap. Not much for the landfil. Gave up those cartridges years ago.

Hello everyone!

Wow, this thread got really long! I hadn't logged on for a week while waiting for the supplies I ordered.

So in the last few days I received a paddle strop from Tony, a "Best quality" Dovo razor from Jim (honed by Lynn) and the DVD. Today was the first shave (what a way to spend a lovely Saturday morning )!

In a nutshell: it didn't go so well. After a shower and some Proraso Pre, I lathered up with Taylor's avocado. Since the razor came honed and shave-ready, I decided not to strop it in case I messed it up. Started with my right cheek, and the razor was really pulling. After a few pulling strokes, things had more or less smoothed out. On to the left cheek -- more pulling.

So I decided to strop it, in case that was the problem. Gave it 20 strokes on the paddle strop and went back to the left cheek. I'm not sure it improved, but maybe a little. Tried to go down the jawline and neck, and the pulling got really bad. I decided to stop, grabbed a DE and finished the shave (WTG, XTG, ATG)

When I was clean-shaven (but not BBS), I tried the straight again. A pass with-the-grain went well, without any pulling (but there wasn't much left to cut). But once I tried to go ATG on the cheek, it felt like the razor was stuck and wouldn't budge. Obviously, I didn't try to force it

So, anyway, I hope someone can help me figure out what could have gone wrong. My beard is pretty thick and wiry, and the only blades I can use in the DEs are Feathers. I doubt the razor was the problem, because Lynn Abrams is the man. So what flaws in technique can cause pulling like that?

Thanks!
- escargot

I have two questions Escargot . Did you streach your skin while you were shaving , and how close were you keeping the spine of the razor to your face ?

Congrats on the first shave escargot! It is not unusual for the first shave to be less than stellar. Remember, you're relearning how to shave. Your technique is probably not there yet and you don't have the mechanics of the strokes down. I would not try for against the grain yet. Perhaps start with just shaving your cheeks WTG until your strokes are more confident. Read the help files and watch your blade angle and pressure. Pay attention while stropping and go slowly. Patient persistence will pay off! Good luck and enjoy!

Jordan

Originally Posted by dave5225

I have two questions Escargot . Did you streach your skin while you were shaving , and how close were you keeping the spine of the razor to your face ?

For shaving the right cheek, I was pulling up on my sideburn with my left hand. For the jaw and neck I was pulling down just under my neck. It's how Lynn demonstrates it in the video.

I'm not sure how close the spine was. I was aiming for about 30 degrees, but it's hard to see in the mirror. But I did play around with the angle to find the best one. If it was pulling, do you think I was holding it too shallow or too steep?

I'm just a noob . but I've been shaving with a str8 for 4 months . I think your blade angle may be too steep . I made the same mistake on my first str8 shaves . I now keep the razor almost flat against my face , I keep the razor at the lowest angle I can that it will still shave . It's something I judge by feel rather than sight . Remember that 0 degrees is the center of the razors spine , and 30 degrees is the max angle that you don't want to exceed . If the razor is flat against your face you're shaving at around 20 degrees , so lifting the spine 1/4 of its thickness will put your shaving angle at 30 degrees . Like Jordan said , first shaves don't usually go well . My first shave was a disaster , I had to finish it with my Mach 3 . My razor wasn't sharp enough and my blade angle was way too steep . I would try the razor flat on my face and see what happens . Good luck with your str8 shaving , and don't give up , it will get better .

Originally Posted by dave5225

I'm just a noob . but I've been shaving with a str8 for 4 months . I think your blade angle may be too steep . I made the same mistake on my first str8 shaves . I now keep the razor almost flat against my face , I keep the razor at the lowest angle I can that it will still shave . It's something I judge by feel rather than sight . Remember that 0 degrees is the center of the razors spine , and 30 degrees is the max angle that you don't want to exceed . If the razor is flat against your face you're shaving at around 20 degrees , so lifting the spine 1/4 of its thickness will put your shaving angle at 30 degrees . Like Jordan said , first shaves don't usually go well . My first shave was a disaster , I had to finish it with my Mach 3 . My razor wasn't sharp enough and my blade angle was way too steep . I would try the razor flat on my face and see what happens . Good luck with your str8 shaving , and don't give up , it will get better .

If the razor is flat against your face you're shaving at around 8-9 degrees , so lifting the spine approx 2x of its thickness will put your shaving angle at 30 degrees

Yannis

MORE PRECISE 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 of its thickness will put your shaving angle at 30 degrees .

Yiannis