Thread: Too much pulling?

I have several shaves on a new Dovo that was honed by Lynn. I have noticed that it pulled on the first shave. I figured I haven't gotten the angle down just right. But now I wonder if I have killed the edge while stropping (using an older Illinois strop and keeping it conditioned with Fromm conditioner). I notice more pulling now and it has become very uncomfortable, no matter what angle I shave at. Should I try to re-hone, invest in a better strop, or a secondary pasted strop? Thank you.

Quite possible that you wrecked the edge on the first stropping (but not because of your strop - more of a technique issue). I hear it happens all the time. You're in luck though - since you bought it from Lynn - you can PM him, I think he always fixes newbie (not meant to insult) mistakes like this.

Not that I don't encourage learning to hone by yourself - I do, but it's a bit involved. And it's easier to learn to touch up only on pasted strops and / or fine barber hones, starting with a good edge

Good luck, whatever you decide
Ivo

Edit: forgot - it may well be PREP. Inadequate prep=bad shave for me, and many others

Never a problem.

Lynn

It sounds like a similar experience I had not to long ago. In my case it was poor stropping and bad shaving technique. After trying a few razors honed by others and and then by myself, I found that on revisiting the first razor all it needed was a good stropping to get a great shave from it.My advise is to keep at it, only practice will give you a good shave and if not a good shave, the knowledge to know why not.

Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

I have several shaves on a new Dovo that was honed by Lynn. I have noticed that it pulled on the first shave. I figured I haven't gotten the angle down just right. But now I wonder if I have killed the edge while stropping (using an older Illinois strop and keeping it conditioned with Fromm conditioner). I notice more pulling now and it has become very uncomfortable, no matter what angle I shave at. Should I try to re-hone, invest in a better strop, or a secondary pasted strop? Thank you.

It sounds like you over dressed the strop and possible created too much draw which has the effect of making you apply too much pressure when stropping. This will kill the edge. An alcohol leather cleaner will remove the excess dressing but use it sparingly. Rigorously rub the strop with your palm to raise any remaining fromm dressing and alcohol rub again. Now just rub with your palm till a sheen comes back.
I take it the strop has a linen side as well as the leather? Try a 20 stroke on the linen then 40+ on the leather followed by another 10 on the linen, finishing with 30+ on the leather but lightly for the finish. If this does not resurrect the edge, you may well have to beg Lynns indulgence and ask for a re-hone.

Good luck

PuFF

Thank you every one. There is quite the learning curve to this style of shaving. It is great to find a place where so many people are willing to help a newbie out.

Since it is an older strop (without a linen side just a leather side) it may take more working with the leatherto get it into the right condition. I may need to give the strop a few extra of days of rest after conditioning, before putting the razor to it.

I bought a cheap razor at flea market this weekend along with a couple of barber hones, one is unmarked, the other is a Franz Swaty from Austria. I was going to try my hand re-honing but I will probly out-source for my Dovo. At some point in time I will try out the hones.

Once again thank you.

Authur,

That Swaty will be a great touchup hone once you get the hang of it, and you'll probably find the other hone to be useful as well.

If you're working with a vintage razor, it's almost impossible to get it shave-ready with just a barber hone. It is possible, but it would take hours and hours and hours. These hones were made to be slow cutters that would refresh an already sharp edge that's just beginning to dull.

My suggestion would be to send out both to have them whipped into shape. You'll have much better luck later on that way.

Members Joe Chandler (username Joe Chandler) and Lynn Abrams (adjustme69)are both respected honers around these parts.

Josh

Arthur, I am new to straight razor shaving and had exactly the same experience.

I purchased the Dovo 5/8 prepared by Lynn from Vintage Blades. My first two shaves went well. I don't know what I did on the third attempt but, it was painful.

I am hooked and determined to make this work. I've ordered another of Lynn's Dovo (6/8) razors and I'm headed out to pickup a microscope to compare before I ever touch it. (I've also ordered all of the stones, and some less expensive razors to practice with).

I believe my problem will end up being the stropping technique.

Good luck.

Les

Thank you for all your replies.
I took a closer look at my strop. It is older and have not noticed any problems withit hanging. I put it flat on the kitchen countertop last night to work from a steady position while stropping. As I'm watching the blade glide across the strop I see that part of the blade is not touching the strop. At first I thought I was seeing things but the strop has a twist or a worn out spot that runs about half the lengnth. Now I'm not sure how this changes when the strop is hanging, but It can't be helping any. Located a belt I have never worn that was smooth, and had a decent shave. Still pulls but I believe it is my technique. But I my still look into a honing for the damage I have done so far.