Thread: First attempt at shaving with a straight razor

Originally Posted by bbsupersport

I was given the razor as "shave ready", and please understand that I am not complaining as it was a very generous PIF and it has encouraged me to give this a try.

Is it possible that it just needs to be stropped? I don't own a strop, therefore I didn't strop the razor before trying it this morning. Should it shave as comfortably as using the DE or does it feel rough the first time?
I'd like to give it another try, I assume I am going to have to purchase a strop and try again. Can someone offer a suggestion for a good beginner's strop and where to get it?

Thanks for any and all help!

Hi!

I looks like your str8 razor was not sharp enough...

Furthermore, depending on where you bought it, shave-ready razors are NOT as ready as they should be...

Before to attempt anything, you should run the so-called HHT test (Youtube is your friend).. If you str8 doesn't pass at least this test (if you have a full hollow blade), just don't shave...

An other test is to shave your arm and feel the sensation.. If the blade is pulling/dragging then you know the answer... A proper prepared blade can easily cut your arm hairs without even touching the skin.. I mean, passing the blade in the middle of your arm hair, without touching the skin, your hair should be cut...

Moreover, some of us are not using a strop anymore.. Depending on what you want, you can avoid to use one and have without any problem a BBS shave out of it...

Hope this help..

Originally Posted by Karakoup1

Before to attempt anything, you should run the so-called HHT test (Youtube is your friend)...

Youtube will never be my friend. Come to think of it, I do not know too many people who befriend a website. Neither would I like to.

Be that as it may, courtesy of the the venerable xman, we proudly present Sharpness tests explained - Straight Razor Place Wiki - including Youtube video. Enjoy.

[quote=BeBerlin;276643]Youtube will never be my friend. Come to think of it, I do not know too many people who befriend a website. Neither would I like to.quote]

And so do I....

I just wanted to point out the fact that a video was out there... A video being 1000 times more self-explanatory than words...

The best test regarding a razors ability to shave it to shave with it. If it does not shave well, it could be all of the things mentioned above.

Have fun,

Lynn

Newb to newb: I don't think your razor was sharp enough. If it's properly sharpened, I doubt you'd have even as much irritation on your WTG pass with the straight as you'd have with your regular DE. I've only done two shaves now with a straight, but in both instances, my WTG pass was *more* comfortable, and quite a bit closer, than my WTG pass with a DE. Granted, I do pull the skin tighter with the straight, and I'm sure that helps (BTW, you *are* pulling the skin tight, right? You will get *Much* less irritation, tugging, pulling, and a closer shave if you do). It can be kind of a pain to figure out how to stretch and/or pull the skin tight and still see your face in the mirror as well as hold on to the blade, but that's what makes this fun.

Again, just a newbs point of view, but if you are doing all the things in the videos (correct angle, no pressure, and *pulling the skin tight*) and you're still getting tugging, pulling, and irritation, I'd be willing to bet my left ear (which fell victim to my straight about ten minutes ago) that your blade isn't sharp enough.

Edit: I don't know if this is a common newb mistake or not, but I wanted to add... When the straight is skipping, tugging, and/or pulling, I have a tendency to want to apply *more* pressure in an attempt to make it stop skipping. Wow, this is wrong, wrong, wrong. It'll only make your face more irritated and increase the risk of cutting your skin. Re-lather the area, and use *less* pressure.

Thank you all for the great advice and help. I have a few things to try now to help narrow down what the problem was. And I'm in no rush, as I am enjoying some of the most pleasant shaving experiences ever using a DE with good quality shave creams, a brush, scuttle and aftershaves. However, I am intrigued by straight razor shaving and will keep at it.

[quote=Karakoup1;276641]

Moreover, some of us are not using a strop anymore.. Depending on what you want, you can avoid to use one and have without any problem a BBS shave out of it...


Excuse me!? I think I need a clarification on this statement.

That's like saying, "you can become a great golfer, and you don't need to practice anymore".

Please, anyone..........

Steve

Tony Miller has a great apprentice strop or if you prefer, purchase an Artisan strop with a practice strop. Use the practice strop until you get a good feel for stropping.

The comment about not needing to strop should be totally disregarded if you want a comfortable shave.

Hm, no strop?

I guess you could use a number of alternatives (e.g. your own hand, jeans, etc.) but no stroping whatsoever would, indeed, make for an uncomfortable shave in my case.

Maybe if you have tough and desensitized skin it's not so much of an issue?