Thread: What do you think is the problem here?

Hi everyone. I just finished only my second attempt at straight razor shaving, just out of the shower with a freshly stropped blade, and am curious why I was left with 5 o'clock shadow all over my face?

It cut the hair...... but it was by no means "baby's bottom" smooth.

Is this because my blade isn't sharp enough?

Am I not stropping it correctly?

Is this a newbie who doesn't know what he's doing?

Am I not applying enough pressure?

If any of you have experience this, please let me know! Thanks all!

- Dave

1. Was it prehoned by the vendor or just factory edge?

2. Could be, but not most likely.

3. Very much most likely. Right out of the shower,beard should be quite moist, apply lather well, strop, commence to killing whiskers with APROPRIATE BLADE ANGLE!

4. NEVER APPLY PRESSURE TO YOU FACE WITH RAZOR SHARP BLADE! Unless you are out of lunch meats.

Please answer #1 and we will go from there!

nun2sharp has this question but i love #3


3. Very much most likely. Right out of the shower,beard should be quite moist, apply lather well, strop, commence to killing whiskers with APROPRIATE BLADE ANGLE!

he is right i have never heard it said that way though

i forgot nun2sharp you are also an ex military man. your reply reminds me of basic training

It was honed by the guy I bought it from who was the owner of a knife store.....

I do suspect I just need a few dozen more shaves before I can even call myself a beginner!

Who did you buy it from?
What knife store?
Does he shave with a straight?

The ansewers to these questions determine whether or not the problem could be the razor, or your technique.

Did you do only a single with the grain pass? Or did you also go against the grain?

Juggler, buying it sharpened buy someone who does knives doesn't necessarily qualify that person as knowing how to properly hone a razor (no offense to the members who also do knives, but I think you would agree). You have two variables here. First, the razor. And second, your technique. It likely is a combination of the two. I am not convinced your razor is truly shave ready. The only true test of the razor is the shave (despite the TNT, HHT, et al). And since you really haven't established your skills, I honestly do not know what to tell you. It might be a good idea to send your razor out to one of our honemeisters to have the edge put on it properly. Then you will know for sure...

+1 with Nun2sharp re: no pressure. If you need to force the str8, either the str8 needs a touchup or your angle is wrong.

When I first started with a str8, I was frustrated because I could get a BBS with my disposable, but my Str8 left me stubbly and with more razor burn than the disp. My razors were the sharpest blades I'd ever owned, but they weren't shave ready. I got a shave ready Dovo (hey, it was a good excuse for another str8!), my technique has improved, and I get a BBS shave from my str8 without irritation.

Also, I cannot get a BBS shave unless I shave WTG, XTG, and ATG regardless of the razor I use. WTG will give a presentable shave, but not BBS.

Hang in there. It just takes practice.

Dave

Originally Posted by juggler007

It was honed by the guy I bought it from who was the owner of a knife store.....

I do suspect I just need a few dozen more shaves before I can even call myself a beginner!

I have to wonder... did he hone it like a knife? If so you may want to send it to a honer here at SRP to repair the damage!

Let's see... Can you shave hair from your arm? Does it pass any of the tests used to determine razor sharpness? Some people can also tell if the razor is sharp by the sound that the razor makes when you shave...

Al raz.