Thread: Can't Keep Razor Sharp

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

Double-check your stropping technique.
j

Absolutely, stropping is so important. Lightness of touch/stroke took me a while too. Never surrender. Nearly six months in and I really feel like I'm getting there.

Originally Posted by beezaur

My initial prep usually is pretty good, but I wonder about subsequent passes. I don't know what the deal is, but on the second (WTG) and third (XTG) passes I notice more difficulty. Not sure if that is from the change in direction, the razor actually getting dull that quickly, or what.

Scott

Barbers were taught to do two types of shaves: The "Once-Over" and the "Close Shave."\

The once-over is with the grain only, one pass.

For the close shave, the barber is instructed to do the "once-over," then STROP AGAIN, then do the close shave, mostly with water, or very diluted lather.

After I read that I always strop between passes

I remember reading in a barbers' manual they even recommend stropping before going to the lip area. I never do 3 passes: my skin cannot have that. One pass against the grain on cheeks and neck, chin and lips get 2 passes.

Imo, leave the 30k shapton until you get skilled enough to use it. It takes the most delicate to touches to get the most from using it and if you're not skilled in honing, when using this uber extreme touch, you will jeapordise your honing technique and your edges wont be any better than off a 12k'er.

Go with a Coticule or thuringan.

My beard is also very heavy. I started using Pre-shave oil and my shaves have been 10x better since.

This has been an excellent thread! All of the pertinent suggestions have been mentioned. Way to go guys!

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I lowered the blade angle against my face this morning, and had a noticeable improvement in cutting ability on subsequent passes. This is on a newly sharpened blade. No stropping between passes. I still have to rig up a place for my strop.

I plan to order a Shapton this week (decided on 16k). I'll have to give some pre-shave oil a try too.

Scott

Somewhere on here I read about applying some conditioner to the beard when washing your hair in the shower. I notice this helps quite a lot. You just need the slightest dab, rub in, rinse off.

Originally Posted by beezaur

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I lowered the blade angle against my face this morning, and had a noticeable improvement in cutting ability on subsequent passes. This is on a newly sharpened blade. No stropping between passes. I still have to rig up a place for my strop.

I plan to order a Shapton this week (decided on 16k). I'll have to give some pre-shave oil a try too.

Scott

That was a good call

A year or so down the line and you'll be good enough to experiment with taking your blades to that next level