Thread: new razor seems dull

I just purchased a dovo black star, and ordered it pre-honed. I have attempted to shave twice but found it very uncomfortable. There is a good deal of drag as though it is not cutting properly. I have always blade shaved and have used a brush and bowl for twenty-five years. I suspect my stropping technique needs improvement.

your honing technique? you honed it?

You mean "stropping," as opposed to "honing?"

I meant to say stropping, thanks.

Here are some ideas for you:

You can use newspaper to strop on for some mild honing, say 100 strokes . . . or

Burn some wood, put the ash on the linen or a piece of balsa wood and strop on that about 20-40 strokes; keep the strop taut and use no pressure, then strop again with leather:

Pull the strop taut and strop with a light touch, no pressure, or

Use a stone to correct the problem and re-strop correctly, or

You can also buy a honing compound and then re-strop correctly, or

If your really hard up try putting the strop on a table and just strop on the leather with a little pressure, and then lighten up on the pressure.

The first few shaves can be rocky. One of the culprits is blade angle.
The general advice is a blade angle of 30 degrees or have the spine 2 spine widths away from the face. Imagine that there is an additional razor between your skin and the spine of your razor. Some guys use an even closer to the skin angle. Take your time, start by shaving only the cheeks, lite pressure. Watch Lynn's video.


Be patient and persistent,