Thread: second shave - ouch!

Hi Shaving Experts!

So I am brand spanking new to Straight razor shaving, been using an electric for years, thought I'd give something new (and old) a shot. I purchased a dovo bismark kit from vintage blades, also some balm(thank god!) and had Lynn get the blade shave ready.

Ok. First shave was pretty brutal, my hair felt more like it was being pulled out than shaved, I tried to mix up the angle and go with my swirly grain, but it just did not want to cut. I figured I didn't soak it enough with a hot towel, and finished up with the electric

Today, I took a shower, then put a freakin' hot towel on my face for three minutes(switching it out every :30 to keep it super hot) I lathered on my soap generously and let it soak in while i stropped the blade about 20 times. Excitedly, I took the blade to my cheek expecting the hair to wipe off. It still seems to just glue to my chin hair, almost skipping across my face if I try to move the blade. Needless to say, I used the syptic stick this evening, and was still unable to make a dent in my chin hair.

What is my problem? Wrong soap (Col Conk glycerine) not softening the hair? Wrong Angle (I tried to adjust it)?

I am very excited about getting to know how to use this thing, but I feel like I'm not even out of the gate yet.

I'm no shaving expert, but here's what I'm thinking...

Your beard prep sounds good. I generally follow your outline except I strop about 50 laps and then re-lather right before using the razor. I don't think the slight difference is enough to cause your problem though.

I see maybe 3 possible reasons.

• Vintage somehow sent you a razor that was not honed by Lynn. (unlikely, but mistakes in stocking and shipping do happen)
• You damaged the edge by stropping it badly for 20 laps/strokes. (one possibility, but 20 laps isn't a lot)
• Your shaving technique is really bad. When I first started straight shaving my technique was horrible... (did you start with the razor almost flat on your cheek and gradually increase the angle, while moving the razor, until it got to around 30 to 40 degrees?)

I am assuming that you only have that one razor and can't make a comparison to another "standard" (like a second razor). To check for sharpness you could get a fresh DE razor blade and see if your razor will cut hairs in a similar manner. Bring a hair to the DE blade and then bring the same hair to your razor. Results will not be identical, but they should be rather close.

Sometimes a new user will damage the edge by stropping it incorrectly. Most folks will recommend that a new straight user shave first without stropping a pre-honed razor, and then later see if their stropping makes the edge worse or better.

The DE hair test can tell you if your straight is in the same ballpark, sharpness-wise.

Prep sounds fine. Pulling usually means the razor is not sharp enough. However, being honed by Lynn it must have been very sharp when you got it.

Can you shave your arm hairs off with it? If so it is sharp enough, if not something is wrong. Did you strop it before you 1st used it? If so you may have damaged the bevel.

Keep the blade at a 30 degree angle to your face when you shave.

Just my 2 cts.

Something to keep in mind that I've noticed over the years when switching between an electric, safety and finally a straight razor--it'll take your beard a few shaves to adjust to the new style of shaving. Electric razors tell you in the instructions to give your beard about a week to change over to the new process. Straight razors are no different.

And you'll feel a difference in the beard once it's grown accustomed. After switching to straight razor shaving I've noticed my beard is a bit more bristely, but it takes to the blade pretty well now.

Otherwise--I'd say make sure your razor is sharp and make sure you strop it till the cows come home--20 strokes may or may not be enough depending on the razor--but I know with my beloved dovo's I strop them for a good 30-40 just for good measure and it makes THE WORLD of difference (even on top of a good honed edge).

Originally Posted by Kees

Prep sounds fine. Pulling usually means the razor is not sharp enough. However, being honed by Lynn it must have been very sharp when you got it.

Can you shave your arm hairs off with it? If so it is sharp enough, if not something is wrong. Did you strop it before you 1st used it? If so you may have damaged the bevel.

Keep the blade at a 30 degree angle to your face when you shave.

Just my 2 cts.

+1 Yeah, what he said.

If I recall correctly, razors sent via Lynn's honing service actually come with a sticker on the box, advising that the razor has already been stropped and it's not necessary to do it again before the first shave?

Perhaps this is exactly why they put that sticker on: to ensure the first shave is good, i.e. to reduce the chances that the recipient will undo Lynn's work with improper stropping? So the buyer gets at least one great shave, to serve as a benchmark?

Not saying that's what happened here. Just a theory.

Mike

Jog,

This 30 degree thing can be a son of a gun to estimate and problematic to measure with a protractor while shaving. Try to elevate the spine of your razor one to two thicknesses of the spine from your face. The closer you are to one thickness, the smoother your shave will feel, but you will leave longer stubble. The closer the tilt is to two spine thicknesses, the closer your shave will be, but at the risk of giving your beginner skin more abrasion and more to complain about.

When stropping, make sure you do not elevate the spine from contact with the leather and keep the strop taut, but you don't have to get nuts about this. A little slack, up to about a half inch or so when passing the blade over the center of the strop, seems to work just fine. Your strop may have a bit of a cup and may be narrower than you blade so do a bit of an X pattern movement while doing the forth-and-back; this should put all the edge in contact with the leather for a nice polish.

Col. Conk soap should work just fine. I'm guessing you have the Amber. I prefer the Almond, but that's just a nose knows thing for me.

good luck, good shaving,

I just did my first shave and had the same exact problem. I strop like 20 times and i shaved, the razor kept wanting to not cut my hair and get stuck on my hair, like it wasn't sharp enough.. this weekend (so i can grow a little beard) i'll strop it 40 times and see how that goes.

Downward seem to be ok.. but upward(esp on the neck) was hard because it kept wanting to cut my neck and not my hair :-) luckly basic cuts(not even cuts.. some blood).. feels like razor burn, but not as bad or red, but of course i was shaving a 5 o clock shadow i grew the same day..i did shower before i shaved.. but considering i shaved that morning with a mach 3 and my hair is thick and grows fast.


Good luck to ya pal


I bought my dovo SS on classicshaving and they said it was prehoned by them. I know the website states presharpened, but reading on this forum i figure they ment by dovo, so i asked for the sharpening service and they called me saying they credited me $26 because the blade i order was presharpened so no reason to get it sharpened again.

Dunno.. i just hope next time i shave it cuts like a butter knife and not stick.. kept giving the blade a crazy eye because it wasn't cutting and i wanted to push harding but i know if i did, i'd cut myself.

I got it fast too, i ordered late friday afternoon (here in North Carolina, shipping from CA), and they manage to ship it out the same day priority mail, got the package today (today being monday) very fast service.

I would strop 60-75 times before each shave. When I go up to a 100 for a few days I really notice a difference in the edge.

Hate to say it guys, but it sounds like technique to me. Lightness of touch (especially on the second pass, took me two months to get that) is obligatory. Angle (30 degrees sounds so easy) is a source of constant thought, your face consists of so many differing angles. Seriously, trying to run before you can walk is going to frustrate at best. Getting stropping right is pretty crucial too. You will get there just like I am but it'll take a little time. Enjoy it.