Thread: Enquirer with Tough Beard

Before the database crash, I was talking about how tough my beard is. Someone suggested that I may want to try using a "wedge" or something other than a "full hollow" razor.

Does anyone wish to discuss this with me and give me some advice? You can pm me, or if you want to discuss it so others can share, go ahead and keep it on the forum.

Thanks

The heavier grinds flex less and cut moove smoothly, IMO. But was really matters is beard prep and razor sharpness.

Just curious how your prep and blade is care to tell us about them?

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

I agree that prep, lather, and technique are the most important but i do like the heavier grinds. I find that I have to get the thinner ones sharper to do the same on my tough areas and restrop between passes with some of my xtra hollow grinds. This can make a close but harsh shave. I like the sheffields for that reason.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

I am not currently using a straight razor. I have a full beard but shave my lower neck and upper cheeks with a DE. I have been using warm shaving soap for years, and relather between directions (meaning ATG and WTG). I think I know preparation well enough for when I get my first straight.

I see from this post and some below that some of you use half hollow or wedges, even though there is a difference of opinion on how much that matters.

Is it harder to hone a half hollow or wedge, than a full hollow? I understand for honing a straight razor, you lay it down flat on the edge and the spine. Is that correct? So, with a wedge or half hollow, there is more surface material making contact with the hone, correct?

Sorry if all of these questions have been answered dozens of times before. But here is your chance to impress me with your prowess and knowledge!

Don in Stafford, VA - anyone else from around these parts?

Don,
you do realize that once you start using the straightrazor... one day you will wake up and say... Beard be gone! i like shaving to much to waste valuable fabe space with you.

and you will take your freshly stropped blade and rid yourself of the beard.

I went to Virginia Tech but now I live in Florida. It takes more time to hone a stiffer grind because of the amount of material that must be removed from the edge and the spine to make it hone up but don't worry about that because by the time you are proficient at honing you will be ready to tackle the stiffer grinds. Just don't practice on them.

Originally Posted by syslight

Don,
you do realize that once you start using the straightrazor... one day you will wake up and say... Beard be gone! i like shaving to much to waste valuable fabe space with you.

and you will take your freshly stropped blade and rid yourself of the beard.

That may be so, but my outdoors personality makes me more of beard man than a fully shaved man, despite my 25 years of full shaving most of my life. We'll see if straight shaving makes me a fan of shaving. I've hated shaving most of my life and part of my hate for it is the waste of buying cheap (but expensive!) safetys and throwing them away each week. Right now I figure that if I even if I buy a complete straight razor set including a stone, I will spend less on that than I do with disposable saftetys each year!


But I'm keeping an open mind and would like to be pleasantly surprised.

Don

Originally Posted by jockeys

I agree with syslight. I have a very thick, stubborn beard. Especially so if I skip a day or two and get some serious stubble. I have found the following things helpful:

1) the grind of the razor doesn't matter so much. I use a semi-hollow dovo most of the time and it does fine
2) your razor must be in tip top condition. that razor that needs to be touched up on the hone, but you are putting it off? don't use that one.
3) lather, lather, lather. brush your face like crazy to set your beard up.
4) many light passes will hurt a lot less than one deep pass. don't think of each pass as totally shaving hair off. think of it as shortening the hair that remains. it's no good to try and get it all in one pass if you have tough stubble.
5) don't be afraid to relather often during your shave

That is how I deal with my tough beard. I do tend to like a 1/4 hollow to wedge razor more but that is probably more personal preference than anything. I am sure a full hollow can do just as well.

Of the skill set required for a Str8 razor, honing is the most difficult to learn.

I would suggest purchasing a honed and shave tested razor from the B/S/T forum first. Then start reading up on honing a Str8 and practicing with an Ebay junker. We have many "knife" people here who have learned that a Str8 is a different animal to sharpen. Not all of the knife skills will transfer.

You might want to contact an SRP member named "Sticky" by PM and ask him about the differences. Others will chime in here I am sure.