Thread: Didn’t get a close shave

I just got done with my first shave with a straight and didn’t get that close of a shave. It was honed by Lynn Abrams so I’m sure the problem is with me. I’m realizing running it across my fingernail may have been a mistake( I did this a couple times) to see how sharp it was. It was shave ready but i still stropped it a dozen or so before i shaved. When I shaved I didn’t apply a lot of pressure and may not have had the correct angle most of the time. I’m trying to figure out if I dulled the blade some, or if my technique is just horrible?


Thanks

Sorry you're first round wasn't too close, but you survived
We can assume that the blade was sharp to begin with. Now I would recommend a fingernail test and thumbpad test to see if it's still sharp. Try a little arm or leg hair - is it sharp or did you fold the edge on the strop? If so, you may need to send it back to Lynn (PM him and see what he can do for you). If it's sharp, you can figure it has a lot more to do with technique, which can certainly take a while to develop. I use a little (too much) pressure but I have a wirey beard. Take your time and you'll get it. Welcome aboard! Keep us posted on the progress.

If you are new to straight shaving take your time and read more and maybe go to youtube and search out some of the videos. Be careful how you strop, you may damage your edge with improper technique. Be sure the strop is held firmly and strop lightly. Take your time and go slow and don't flick you razor up at the end of the stroke.... you will roll the edge over. Make sure you angle is good, just practice on your cheek near your sideburns until you cut hairs smoothly. A razor honed by Lynn is sharp and should/will shave. If you have a magnifier of some sort, take a look at the edge to see if you have damaged it. I you have a hone, give it a few light passes... 3 to 5 should be good. Check a razor with the hairs on your arm not your nails.

Originalbrew, the best advice is to take everything slowly. From the stropping to the shave itself. You are wielding a knife and there is no reason to go fast.

It is not uncommon to dull a perfectly good blade while stropping, many of us have done it. Also, I was under the impression that the Thumbnail Test will dull a honed edge and really should only be used for testing the edge's evolution during honing. I may be very wrong about that but I am sure I read that somewhere.

If you have a pasted paddle, 5 to 10 laps on .5 chromium oxide or diamond paste will bring the edge back as well.

Good luck.

Well, sorry to say this but several runs on the thumbnail must have done quite a bit to dull the edge... and this shows that you had not done your homework

I hear Lynn deals with similar cases (edges ruined by new members) all the time and would gladly fix it so you'll be ok

Cheers
Ivo

Your beard has to adjust to the straight, your stropping needs improvement, the list goes on.

That's what so great about this place, we are here to buoy each other up. and progress through the frustration.

Don't give up! There's a big pay out, a.k.a. great shaves, just around the corner!

I'm done with encouragement...

Hang in there....HIT!

Randy

Originally Posted by izlat

Well, sorry to say this but several runs on the thumbnail must have done quite a bit to dull the edge... and this shows that you had not done your homework

I hear Lynn deals with similar cases (edges ruined by new members) all the time and would gladly fix it so you'll be ok

Cheers
Ivo

+1 on this. The edge is so fine and soft that your nail will have dulled it.

I was last month where you are now. I nearly sold all my stuff I got so frustrated. I wanted to be able to shave my whole face my first go, but I ended up with tufts of uncut whiskers, numerous nicks and sweat rolling down into my eyes. I went through this for the first five or so shaves. In retrospect, what I wish I'd done was to shave my burns and my cheeks with the straight and shave the rest with my DE (or whatever shaving method you use). Work on strop technique also.

Once you're comfortable with your cheeks, venture out a bit, and try the neck or under the nose or bottom lip, but go slowly. I'd go that route until you have it down. Even though I've had some great shaves, I still do not feel that I've "arrived" at all, and I'll pull my DE out of the cabinet from time to time if I feel myself getting frustrated. Another mistake I made was to try to straight shave when I was running late, and that increased the frustration level by a factor of ten. Now if I'm running late, I go straight to the DE...no pun intended.

Originally Posted by izlat

Well, sorry to say this but several runs on the thumbnail must have done quite a bit to dull the edge... and this shows that you had not done your homework

I hear Lynn deals with similar cases (edges ruined by new members) all the time and would gladly fix it so you'll be ok

Cheers
Ivo

I agree with Ivo. Proper technique also takes time to develop.

Thanks for the responses.


I just ordered Lynn Abrams "World of Straight Razor Shaving" and a double sided sharpening strop with 1.0, and a .50 micron diamond paste. I’m hoping this will help me get closer to the shaving experience I’m looking for.