May have I cut myself BECAUSE the blade isnt sharp enough?
Ok so i'll admit my mistake, i bought a straight before doing all the research hoping to try to save a little money...only thing is now i think i need a new razor and hence the price of the first one will be totally lost.
So i bought a straight shavette (thinking it would be a good idea not to have to learn to hone and strop) but the blades seem too weak, too flexible and not sharp enough, i've had two OK shaves with it, but today it just seemed to be like a car running into a wall, the blade didn't want to cut. Now it could be my technique but i believe that i really shouldn't have to put pressure behind the blade to cut hair, and i refuse to because i plan on getting a decent straight and i know this could potentially recreate a Sweeny Todd suicide attempt scene. I had replaced the blade (figuring I'd probably destroyed the blade the first two days) before i started shaving but it seemed like i was getting a worse shave than previously. i had just got out of a hot shower, used Kent luxury shaving soap and a Kent brush but it just seemed to tear at my hair and hence instead of slicing myself i recieved a few tiny cuts which were more like pin pricks?
I've been thinking of buying a 1920-1935 straight that looks just the part, is sold form one of the users here and is "shave ready". Shame there isnt anything similar but a bit cheaper.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, am i looking for a new razor, new technique, or a new face?
Daniel
My shaving tips (and I am quite new to this myself)
It takes a few shaves to start to get the hang of shaving with a straight. I think it's because there are several variables that need to come together at once, and there's really no true way to nail them down except by trial and error.
You've got to find an acceptable angle for the razorblade to set against your skin. Reading that 30 degrees works for some people doesn't help me, because I don't have the time, patience, or dexterity to shave with a straight and a protractor at the same time. You just have to feel for it.
How firmly you hold the blade is important, and the angle at which you draw the razor down your face with or against the grain of your hair growth
The speed and length of your stroke will make a difference
One of the most important shaving factors is how tightly to stretch your skin. I want my skin very tight around my chin and neck areas where possible. It makes for much better shaving. Otherwise I would be forced to choose between stubble or pain. But stretching allows the razor to glide smoothly across
There are more things you'll keep discovering I'm sure that help or take away from your shaves :)
Beard Prep is important too. It's not as difficult though, to me at least. Just get the whiskers soggy by whatever means necessary.
Hope this helps! These are simply things I have noticed in my own shaving and have seen confirmed by others here in this forum,