New Straight Razor Shaver intro

I am new to straight razor shaving and would like to start out by saying hello to all the Straight Razor Place members here. I have been reading and trying to get me my technique down and so far it is getting there but no real close shaves yet. SO, being a new member, let me start this out right. Lots of questions.

I do have the full shaving soap/brush/mug as well as a hanging leather strop so I do have all the equipment needed to start.

1. I have one Dovo 5/8 and a Wapi 5/8. Both have been honed by Mike over at the Well Honed Razor. Both seem sharp enough but do not seem to work around my chin and do not work on the 3rd pass (against the grain). What am I doing wrong? What do I need to look for?

2. I have read about stroping the blade, watched several videos and I have stroped my Dovo a couple of times. However, with all the advice concerning technique, it is a little unnerving to strop the blade (especially after someone has honed it). I have read that too much preasure or too much stroppping will "roll the blade". How do I strop and what should I be looking for?

Joe

Welcome . . . don't worry too much about too much stropping. But having some skill is a pre-requisite.

Keep the strop taut and use a light touch. If a lot of passes isn't doing the trick try after that just a dab of pressure and then return to a light touch.

For now, I'd toss out the whole ATG pass thing. Giver yourself some time to learn what your doing first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Welcome . . . don't worry too much about too much stropping. But having some skill is a pre-requisite.

Keep the strop taut and use a light touch. If a lot of passes isn't doing the trick try after that just a dab of pressure and then return to a light touch.

For now, I'd toss out the whole ATG pass thing. Giver yourself some time to learn what your doing first.

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+ 1 Sage advise. ATG is not really necessary to get a really good shave. Use some XTG passes for cleanup as necessary.

When you look at your face it is filled with contours, you have to break these contours down into smaller flat planes keeping the skin taut, this is especially true and most difficult around the chin. I believe the rest is simply technique and practice. Hope this helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

When you look at your face it is filled with contours, you have to break these contours down into smaller flat planes keeping the skin taut, this is especially true and most difficult around the chin. I believe the rest is simply technique and practice. Hope this helps.

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Wish I had thought to say that. Well said!

Thanks for the advice. I tried several of all of your sugestions this morning. Worked out better however, I think I the rest will come with more practice.