Yet Another 1st Shave 1st post Thread

[izlat]

Welcome!

Unfortunately, I have heard several times about new members dulling their shave-ready on the first stropping. I myself didn't manage to do it, and hope you didn't either - but it is kind of common...

HHT is very relative; I use it with decent results.

Anyway - good news is that Lynn will touch it up for you

Good luck!
Ivo

[sebell]

My first straight razor shave was also from a Lynn honed razor,
and I also experienced a pulling sensation. There's absolutely
nothing wrong with my razor, which is wonderfully sharp. The
next few shaves improved dramatically as I learned the proper
stropping and shaving technique.

I suspect that the most likely cause of the pulling that you are
experiencing is razor angle: too shallow will pull on the whiskers
no matter how sharp the blade is!

- Scott

[xman]

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you monkey around with increasing the pressure on your skin with the razor. Just trust me on that. If you're not getting the shave you want it's either your blade angles, beard prep or sharpness. Sounds like the prep is good and the sharpness too so I'm with the other guys that it's likely a technique issue. Try lowering the angle of attack and leading slightly with the tip. That's a lower shaving angle and an increased cutting angle. I'm wondering if you even stropped before the shave?

X

[Ron A]

Hi,
Welcome. Be patient. I wouldn't use the HHT as the definitive test for sharpness. To a degree, it might be overrated. I've honed my razor so it shaves wonderfully well--super sharp--but the blade struggled to cut through the HHT. So, I'd say the pulling is techique--either stropping or shaving. It will come.

R

[skwarren]

Hey thanks guys for the words of wisdom! After reading the replies I am begining to think that it is really the angle of my blade. The sides that I did shave with the straight are so much closer than the rest of my face that was shaved with the mach 3. So I am already sold, I just want to get very proficent very quickly so I can have that same closeness all over.

Just wondering, how many of you guys use a pre-shave oil?

[jnich67]

For me, pre-shave oil does not provide any additional benefit and tends to gunk things up. With a good cream or soap, glide is not an issue for me.

Welcome aboard.

Jordan

[Yannis]

I detest oils in my face, in my brush, in my razor and in my hands!
sometimes I use pre-shave gel that is water solluble, but my oppinion is that the benefit of oils and gels after a proper preparation is only mental and not substantial.

Yannis

[skwarren]

Guys I have one more question. I am using a Dovo 3 1/8" strop and I wondered what side should I be using? Should I use the leather textured side or should I be using the smoother tan side? This is the link to the strop that I own. So should I use the side that is pictured or the other side. And if I used the wrong side will I need to re hone my razor?

[knochrph]

You guys use a 30 degree angle on stropping???? I keep mine as flat as possible with the strop. Maybe someone is in your neck of the woods and you could meet to go over razor technique.

Jerry

[izlat]

By the way, not only smooth leather can be used for stropping. Some people swear by linen - it's not smooth, that's the point.

Also - Keith at HandAmerican also stamps a pattern on its leather (much like the back of the Russian shells) because it can be used before the the smooth leather. The key is: use BEFORE smooth leather

Cheers
Ivo