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Second Shave
Just completed my second shave...which was a bit disappointing. After doing my first shave yesterday with a long week old growth I sort of thought that the pulling was normal.
Today with only a day old growth the experience was pretty much the same. I also had a hard time doing my neck and left side of my face. (im right handed)
Any suggestions? Angle? Razor? hand? anything!
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No advice yet? Come on guys:P:rofl2:
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If your razor was provided to you shave-ready, I'd recommend checking your stropping technique. Make sure you're pulling the strop taught, not using pressure, and doing enough 'laps'. I use about 30 on clean leather. An improperly stropped razor could cause the pulling/dragging. As for the left side, I just learned to switch hands for the left side; It's good to learn to use both hands and will make getting those tricky spots a lot easier.
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The razor was labeled as shave ready here in the classifieds section.
I can't get it to past the HTT test though.
I did some lap on my leather belt, since I still don't have my strop.
Does it usually glides through really easily or is some resistance normal?
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If you are referring to gliding on the strop, there should be some sort of draw. But it is not required. You might want to contact Tony Miller. He also sells beginner strops that are really good quality.
There are members who, like you, strop on a leather belt. I suspect that your negative experience is more likely from technique than the razor. If you aren't already doing so, try just doing the areas between the sideburns and jawlines, and only WTG until you are comfortable with handling the razor and get your angles correct. Of course, you will need to strop prior to each shave.
You didn't mention how many laps you are doing on the belt.
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If your razor came from a professional honer, more specifically someone on the forums, then I would say it's almost for sure your technique. Although, I'm not sure about your belt. Chances are also high that you could have stropped poorly.
Many of my first shaves were rough from the razor pulling hair. I found out very quickly how important pulling your skin is. You can take a pass at your cheek with no pulling, then pull at your skin and pass again and you will quickly see/feel/hear the difference. That is true almost every spot on your face.
Keep at it practicing, and keep reading the Newbies Corner and the Wiki. You'll get it.
Oh and get a proper strop.
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Thanks for the comments guys!
I actually have an illinois strop and a smaller travel strop in the mail as we speak.
Weirdly enough I would say that my roughest part is the left side of my face and neck. The chin was actually the easiest part for me.
I bought my razor (a nice Frederick Reynolds) from a member here.
Could it be my angle too? would you recommend long or short strokes too?
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Im doing about 20-25 passes on the belt...
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Anyone got some experience with Frederick Reynolds razors?:cool:
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I do 60 laps on my hanging strop. It's unlikely your belt is 3 inches wide. So more laps will be required...
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My first couple shaves were pretty dissapointing, too...KEEP WITH IT!
I'm just now getting to the point that I can do a three pass shave with no touch-ups wioth the DE, and feel that I got a good enough shave to go to work. Still, if I have an important meeting, I'll shave with the DE to ensure a good shave.
Also, you will be amazed at the importance of good stropping. When you get those strops, watch your technique, start slow, but really give that blade a good stropping. Check your angles, enforce good tecnhique, and we'll both be BBS with straights soon enough!
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I'm hopping to get the rest of my stuff in the mail today! I haven't decided if I will shave today since my face is a bit raw from yesterday. I probably will if I receive my other razor though. I don't think I could just look at it all day without giving it a try heh::rofl2:
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Stropping with a belt...
Take care that any stitching that may be on the edge is not harming your edge! I helped a member here prep a belt for use as a makeshift strop and it had a knot in the heavy thread on the edge that "popped" when you ran the edge over it. Long story short, we had to touch up his blade before he left.
Take short strokes and don't skimp on the prep! Hot towels, right out of the shower, good lather, slow but sure stropping, all make a difference and are part of the fun!
-Rob
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Dups, as the other guys have said, pulling your skin tight is, IMO, every bit as important as how sharp your blade is. With a properly sharpened blade and properly pulled skin, I get less irritation on my with-the-grain (WTG) passes than I do with a regular safety razor or fusion. And a properly sharpened straight zips through the stubble as quick and clean as a safety razor, too. If this isn't happening for you: pull your skin tighter, or get your razor sharpened.
Keeping the angle between your blade and skin low will help alot, too.
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I think of my main problem was that I wasn't wearing my contact lenses when I shaved yesterday and my glasses were just in the way the whole time. I got a pretty high prescription too so I couldn't see in certain spots. I'll strop the %&%^ out of it today.
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correct angle
Hi,
I am only waiting on my 4th shave with a str8 razor and this morning I was a bit disapointed with the result but I recon it was down to inadequate prep.
I have found already though, that too shallow an angle like much less than 30 deg.doesn't cut too well and also causes the razor to jump (my face may have been too dry as well). Yesterday was the best shave I ever gave myself so it has encouraged me to persevere.I haven't got a strop yet (I'm waiting on an Illinois 827 ) so I've just used it as it was sent to me.I have just found out how to mix up a superlatherwhich will make a difference.With all the little problems I have had so far it has still gone better than I expected and it is great fun learning.
Just thought I'd share my first experiences.