Thread: low end vs high end razors

Just to add my little bit of experience:
I've only been at this a few months myself, and despite my newfound love of shaving, I'm lazy and don't shave nearly every day. Although I haven't encountered a Dovo, in my short time straight shaving I have already tried maybe 10 different blades, and while I may not have the experience yet to say which make/style works the best for me, all of them provided close comfortable shaves with some adjustment of angle and/or technique.

I am still hesitant to go ATG. I've tried it a few times, but the way I have to hold the razor is awkward, I can't seem to stretch the skin as well, and yeah, it pulls more. As a matter of fact, most times I just do a single pass. I may not get BBS, but it's darn close. If I do a second pass, it's usually a second WTG and maybe some XTG touchup. Maybe I'm just lucky, but this works for my neck too, where ATG seems nigh impossible.

As far as stropping.... I'm convinced my stropping technique is awful. This has caused me to shave with several blades freshly honed from Lynn with NO stropping at all. I didn't want to chance my newbie stropping technique ruining a professionally honed edge. And I got fantastic shaves, several of my best. Stropping is indeed very important, it just needs to be done correctly.

My first shave was on a blade that WASN'T sharp enough. It pulled on the WTG pass. I didn't try another pass, I certainly didn't try an ATG pass, and I didn't get BBS. It pulled A LOT. But ya know what? I didn't get ANY of the irritation that I would've gotten from a Mock 3. And that in itself was magical to me.

And here's another vote for not giving up. I was determined from the start, so I wasn't really worried about any potential hangups in the learning curve. Straight shaving is just plain classy, and I was gonna do it no matter what. But on top of that it's a gift to yourself. For the first time in my life shaving is not a chore, I enjoy it. I think many of the fine members here will tell you that shaving is now less about grooming, and more about giving yourself a treat. The luxury of a nice brush (my first badger brush still hasn't come, but even a boar can be nice), a pleasant smelling soap or cream, and just taking the time for yourself. And finding the right blade for you is an essential part of it. So by all means try another blade (or three) be th it expensive or vintage or custom, just don't give up just yet. They managed just fine in the old days, and back then they didn't have the wonderful support or knowledge base provided by this forum.

All you guys with those nasty little dovos should send them to me and I will dispose of them for you. I will put them next to the others on my shelf so you wont have to be inconvenienced with such low end garbage. I want to thank all you guys for stepping up to the plate and helping this brother out, what a community! GO SRP!!

Dovo makes excellent razors. Even their entry level models are of indisputable quality. Differentiating between different brands, grinds, sizes, alloys is for many seasoned straight shavers sort of a hobby, and the preferences on that front are generally more dictated by esthetical, historical and emotional values than by bare shaving performance.
An entry level Dovo will give you outstanding and very comfortable shaving results, if you allow it the time it takes for you to tackle the typical straight razor learning curve. If not, no other straight razor will. Period.

Newbie frustration is mostly initiated by one, or both of the following causes:

1. Dull blade, caused by stropping issues.
2. Poor technique, usually angle/pressure related.

Solutions - workarounds:

1. Perform the Hanging Hair Test after stropping. While a razor does not need to pass the HHT for a good shave, one that does pass is sure to be fully capable to give you that good shave. This advice only counts for a razor that was properly honed by someone who knows what he does. It's a good method for taking at least the sharpness question out of the equasion. A razor that's "HHT-ready" won't pull with proper shaving technique.

2. Start learning to shave with the lowest possible angle. Put the razor flat on your face, start a shaving motion, and slowly lift the spine till the razor starts shaving whiskers. Stick with that angle for a few shaves. Use minimal pressure. Think about shaving as of skimming hairs of your face.

Finally, for your particular situation: I think that performing your WTG pass with a Mach3 and then trying to do an ATG pass with a straight, will only make things harder instead of easier. It's more challenging shaving short and hard stubble than it is shaving the somewhat longer stubble that a typical WTG-pass with a straight leaves. For that same reason, I would not do more than one WTG-pass, if you're having problems with your ATG-pass.

Best regards,

Bart.

+1 Bart comes through again! I might add that what is needed for a newbie who is afraid to even put the "razor to my throat" is the shortest learning curve with the least amount of effort possible. The first time that they get that "sticky" side burn feeling they will be hooked for life.

Take Care,
Richard

Another thing:

I guess I just picked up on what you said about doing the WTG pass using the M3.

This is cutting down on your straight razor acclimation time! The WTG pass is probably the easiest pass to make with a straight, so I'd suggest using the straight for the WTG, XTG, and ATG if you're game for still trying to go for ATG at this point. Save the M3 to touch up the rough/missed spots once you are all done with the straight.

Anyhow, just a suggestion.

And one more thing: The Henckels 7/8's are terrific shavers, but they are also quite finicky in regards to getting an excellent edge on them. Don't let me talk you out of getting one, but they are not easy "cruise control" razors in my opinion.

Keep at it!

And read up on proper stropping. It takes alot of effort just to get that aspect "right". But when you do, the resulting edge is very refined and smooth!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

And one more thing: The Henckels 7/8's are terrific shavers, but they are also quite finicky in regards to getting an excellent edge on them. Don't let me talk you out of getting one, but they are not easy "cruise control" razors in my opinion.

+1. They're great shavers and take a wicked edge, but in my experience, they will bite me if I am not careful.

alright guys i just shaved with my straight. i went WTG which went fine. i stropped this like 20-30 passes on the linen and 30-50 on the leather. i went real flat ligh touch. it shaved better than most times. i then went with my mach3 WTG because i know it just gets everything. i did a light touch with it though as i dont want razorburn and there wasnt much hair left. then i went ATG with my straight and it tugged. so i changed the angle and made it real flat. i made it so flat that i even went a bit the other way and i realized that this finally cut. i went like this on my cheeks as my neck wasnt used to it still. on my cheeks, i made it beyond flat if that makes sense and it did cut, but it wasnt that close at all. there was still stubble so i changed the angle and it did cut more but im just beginning so i need to work on that more. i obviously had to go ATG with my mach3 in the end. by the way all this was done in the shower as i just cant shave outside the shower. id rather just use my mach3 in the shower anyway. since it took longer, the lather got watery from the steam so next time will have to leave window open. i did have to relather in the shower to get that "sticky" lather from my tried and true red proraso cream.

I had to fly a couple of weeks ago and took my mach III with me. I don't like to check my luggage. No matter what I tried in the shower I couldn't get as good a shave as a well honed straight. While better than a poorly honed straight and easier to use I have to state a strong peference to whichever of my razors is currently the sharpest.

-Bob

Originally Posted by OldFashioned

alright guys i just shaved with my straight. i went WTG which went fine. i stropped this like 20-30 passes on the linen and 30-50 on the leather. i went real flat ligh touch. it shaved better than most times. i then went with my mach3 WTG because i know it just gets everything. i did a light touch with it though as i dont want razorburn and there wasnt much hair left. then i went ATG with my straight and it tugged. so i changed the angle and made it real flat. i made it so flat that i even went a bit the other way and i realized that this finally cut. i went like this on my cheeks as my neck wasnt used to it still. on my cheeks, i made it beyond flat if that makes sense and it did cut, but it wasnt that close at all. there was still stubble so i changed the angle and it did cut more but im just beginning so i need to work on that more. i obviously had to go ATG with my mach3 in the end. by the way all this was done in the shower as i just cant shave outside the shower. id rather just use my mach3 in the shower anyway. since it took longer, the lather got watery from the steam so next time will have to leave window open. i did have to relather in the shower to get that "sticky" lather from my tried and true red proraso cream.

You're doing fine, Oldfashionned,
Since you seem determined to do an ATG-pass with that straight in this phase of your learning process, I really must urge you to go hide that M3 somewhere for a while. Just do one WTG-pass, which is quite normal to be less close than what you're used to from your M3 WTG-pass. Then rinse you face with hot water. Nevermind about the Proraso, it has done its job softening your whiskers, and you don't need to re-apply it. Get a thin coat of real runny lather on your face, thin enough to see really well in the mirror what you are doing. You do have a clear mirror in that shower, do you?
Now, with that shallow angle and light pressure, make short, upward strokes, to perform your ATG-pass. Make overlapping strokes from about half an inch long. It helps to move the razor just a little bit diagonally. The best spot to start is down at the left side of your neck (if you're right handed) Stick your chin out and use your free hand to stretch the skin downwards. Watch closely, you'll be able to see how the blade scoops that stubble of your face. Don't go over the same spot more than twice. Rinse with cold water when done and finish with your normal after-shave routine. Forget about that M3, be happy with the result as it is (and improves with every shave), and give your face an extra day rest in between shaves, till you really get the hang of it.

Smoothness lies ahead of you. Only time will tell, how far.

Bart.

Thats strange because I did exactly what you mentioned when I was shaving
That steam created that runny lather and i did use short strokes on the left side of my lower cheek. strange how my instinct came natural. I know I need to hide that M3 but man I love the closeness and smoothness of it. I KNOW most ppl here cannot and will not tolerate the M3 for its technical use but it really works for me. That being said, I want to switch purely to the straight obviously. Anyway, I didnt have one nick or cut and it is way better and more comfortable than that foul DE which was the absolute worst tool of shaving I have ever used. Id rather use those gillete good news blue disposable razors that I was using up until about 4 years ago before I switched to the M3

I must say that I now see what you guys mean by how comfortable it is. Sure it tugs around my chin, Im new to it. Im used to rolling a blade over my chin as per the M3. But I still have alot to learn with angles, stropping, making sure its always sharp and working well and also making sure it is even the right razor. who knows that if i was using another razor, maybe a slightly bigger one, i would be dong better.

Anyway I do have a mirror in the shower. Well its not a mirror, its actually a CD taped against the backend of my shower wall. Looks funny but as a college student living in a single apt, do i care?

Originally Posted by Bart

You're doing fine, Oldfashionned,
Since you seem determined to do an ATG-pass with that straight in this phase of your learning process, I really must urge you to go hide that M3 somewhere for a while. Just do one WTG-pass, which is quite normal to be less close than what you're used to from your M3 WTG-pass. Then rinse you face with hot water. Nevermind about the Proraso, it has done its job softening your whiskers, and you don't need to re-apply it. Get a thin coat of real runny lather on your face, thin enough to see really well in the mirror what you are doing. You do have a clear mirror in that shower, do you?
Now, with that shallow angle and light pressure, make short, upward strokes, to perform your ATG-pass. Make overlapping strokes from about half an inch long. It helps to move the razor just a little bit diagonally. The best spot to start is down at the left side of your neck (if you're right handed) Stick your chin out and use your free hand to stretch the skin downwards. Watch closely, you'll be able to see how the blade scoops that stubble of your face. Don't go over the same spot more than twice. Rinse with cold water when done and finish with your normal after-shave routine. Forget about that M3, be happy with the result as it is (and improves with every shave), and give your face an extra day rest in between shaves, till you really get the hang of it.

Smoothness lies ahead of you. Only time will tell, how far.

Bart.