Thread: First Shave

Well, I've done a few straight razor shaves in the last week or so.

I have a few straigihts that were purchased for me from classicshaving.com that were listed as PRE-SHARPENED, but when shaving, I get the typical feeling of the razor "jumping" over the hairs or just stopping cold on the tougher hairs on the bottom of my chin.

I'm suspecting (although not sure) that the razors are really shave ready in spite of being told by one the honemeisters (the individual in Montreal, via email -sorry, can't remember his name) that classic shaving blades are honed by Lynn himself, even if the honing service is not purchased when the razors are purchased.

I believe I will be having one of them honed by one of the honemeisters, but wanted some opinoin and direction.

Is there someone in Toronto that anyone can recommend? (or in the GTA at least?

Chris

If ypu purchased them pre-sharpened by Lynn, then it's likely one of two things. Either you shave prep was inadequate, or your technique can stand some improvement.

What do you do to prep your face for shaving?

For technique, the ideal razor angle is around 30 degrees. If you are just starting try an angle of less than 30 degrees (flatter to the face). Accept that you are not going to get a BBS. Don't worry, it will come in time. And take your time...

My stepson had the exact same experience. Bought a Dovo honed by Lynn. Turned out to be his technique.

+1 on what Dward said. Another thing I noticed was not pulling the skin taut enough and not using a steady hand. The excitement and lack of technique accounts for most of first time horror shaves.

The razor was purchased for me from classicshaving.com, with no additional honing service purchased wiht the razor.

As per the info on the classicshaving site, it says you can purchase the honing service for a new razor from them or just have one done - leads me to believe that it's not honed fully.

Prep
- shower
- lather
- strop (while lather is still on)
- hot towel
- re-lather
- shave

I want to have a honing done so I * know * have a properly sharped straight for my comparisons for a shave, and for honing, which I also want to work at.

Hmmm.. If it came pre-sharpened I would think it was honed for you. However, I have never purchased one from Classic so I wouldn't know. Kind of confusing. If in doubt you should contact them and ask if it was pre-honed. If it wasn't definitley send it to one of the honemeisters...

I think Classic actually puts a tag on the pre-honed razor boxes, that says "This Razor has been Professionally Honed" IIRC

Unless you paid for the honing service, your razor was NOT HONED and will not be truly shave ready. Get it sharpened then learn how to do it for yourself. there are some Toronto area members who may come to your aid. If they don't, PM me. I'm in Vancouver, but can help if you can wait for Canada Post which is usually not bad within Canada.

X

Originally Posted by dward

Hmmm.. If it came pre-sharpened I would think it was honed for you. However, I have never purchased one from Classic so I wouldn't know. Kind of confusing. If in doubt you should contact them and ask if it was pre-honed. If it wasn't definitley send it to one of the honemeisters...

And the search begins for a honemeister in Toronto.

Originally Posted by xman

Unless you paid for the honing service, your razor was NOT HONED and will not be truly shave ready. Get it sharpened then learn how to do it for yourself. there are some Toronto area members who may come to your aid. If they don't, PM me. I'm in Vancouver, but can help if you can wait for Canada Post which is usually not bad within Canada.

X

+1 Sounds like you need to get it honed. Then, just a bit of a warning since you are just starting out, be careful about stropping. Keep your strop taunt and use no pressure on the blade. If you use pressure other than the weight of the blade, you may roll the edge of your blade. This leads to a shave that is very uncomfortable and you end up needing to get the blade honed again. Been there, done that!

Enjoy the journey and welcome to the forum.

I read a lot of these horror stories on here about bad str8 experiences. I had my razors (Dovo's) honed by Lynn.
They were like mini light sabers. Lynn is like yoda with a hone. I've never had a closer shave and I'm new to the str8 as well. I usually shave prior to my shower, I wash my face with a good goat's milk soap, rinse with hot water, apply a triple milled shave soap, (The stuff from Vingage Blades, it's their own brand, it's great. Very creamy, and the lather doesn't disappear on you. I start up by the side burns and use small controlled strokes. If I happen to nick myself it's usualy because I'm not paying as much attention as I should be. You can't rush this type of shave, if your in a hurry, use the old quatro or something.