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hey gents,
first post here and happy new year's to all.
I'm four shaves in and having a real problem with my neck-particularly the left side (I'm right handed)
I'm using a dovo 5/8 in tortoise. I purchased the razor pre-sharpend from classic shaving.
The razor seems to pull a little. Should it be sent off to be honed, or is my technique still that bad?
Also, any tips for shaving the upper lip near the nostril?
Thanks in advance
Did you get the prehoned option, if so I would be inclined to think it is technique, especially since you mention its the neck that is giving problems. Off the top of my head without seeing your technique I would suspect improper stretching of skin and incorrect blade angle. Forgive me if Im wrong.:gl:
My beard grows in the opposite direction in the neck area (about one inch all the way down) so you could try to just go the opposite way in the bottom and then do the rest as normal.
Here is a description of doing the upper lip. I never go up against the grain on my upper lip although some do. I agree with nun2sharp that skin stretching may be the issue along with blade angle. About twice the width of the spine seems to be smoother.
Lynn recommends just doing the cheeks the first couple of shaves and gradually adding real estate as you get the feel of the razor in your hand and the blade on your skin. I know that I finished the upper lip and chin with a DE the first couple of weeks that I shaved before I started doing a complete straight razor shave. You can find shaving videos here if you haven't already seen them. Welcome to SRP ! :gl:
I'm going to agree with the guys who think its a combination of skin stretching and blade angle problems; not because I'm an expert, but because I'm having the same experience as you are, with the same tool (razor from classicshaving with the presharpened option). My technique is awful, because I've only shaved twice, but every so often, i get a great stroke, and i can tell its a well sharpened blade. Also, i accidentally cut my thumb while handling the razor, and the skin shaved right off. Didn't draw any blood though!
On my first shave, I didn't really cut myself, so i figured the blade was dull. But if you're having the same experience with tug and drag, I would imagine that its us rather than our razors. :)
Another thing to consider is preparation. That and lathering. The whole being the sum of it's parts all things contribute to a smooth close shave. I usually shave following my shower. One way or the other I wash my face in hot water, rinse and repeat. The barber does the hot towel thing to soften and moisturize the whiskers. I don't usually bother with that but that helps too.
A good lather with a quality soap or cream will also help soften and moisturize and help the razor glide on the skin. It also probably protects from razor burn to some extent. Lathering is an art in itself and has to be learned. Took me awhile but I finally figured it out and my shaves improved.
Gents,
thanks for the responses so far. I suppose the fault lies in my technique, but damnit-i was hoping to lay this off on someone else. haha.
I've been using TOBS Rose and have noticed the lather seems to dry out on my face. Little bits of 'fluff' flake off frequently. Am I not using enough water in building my lather or is it because my shave still takes a while and the lather just dries out?
If it's only one area that you're having problems with, chances are it's your technique and not the razor. Try using a lower angle with the spine closer to your skin than you might think is best.
Maybe my shave vid will help you some, but be warned about the "Fool's Pass" on the upper lip at the end of the shave. It is not recommended nor to be tried lightly if you want to keep your nose.
Here's the link: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...technique.html
X
I was going to write something similar just before I saw this post.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
Kerik, I noticed that even when I shave with a cartridge razor (my straight is in the mail), when my hair is softer, and better prepared, the blades pull SIGNIFICANTLY less, and it feels much better, and seems closer too. So I'd agree in saying beard preparation is huge also.
When I first started straight razor shaving I took so long that I too had the problem of the lather drying out on my face. I would keep the brush handy and have to hit it again in spots. This didn't last too long before I gained a bit of speed. I don't know how moist your lather is to start with. Here is a link to some good video on lathering. Helped me.Quote:
Originally Posted by kerik
Heh, fools pass. At first I thought "Pfft, I do that all the time, what's the big deal?" Then I had a flashback of when I first starting shaving:w:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by xman
Kerik, you're going to experience a little difficulty on your left side for a few more shaves. Like everyone else said, if it's only pulling there, then it's likely not the razor. Work on your lather skills and get it nice and fluffy, then rub it into your beard well. Use the brush to actually work the lather into your hair and skin, standing the hairs up for some reduction action. As far as getting your technique down on your left side, take it slowly. Try to understand what works and what doesn't, then work on your muscle memory for using the actions that work. Like X suggested, lower the angle of attack a little and try it out. Pay extra attention to what you're doing when you get good shaves, as well as bad shaves. Above all though, keep at it! Soon enough you'll be trying to trim the back of your neck and anything else that gets in the way:tu
It's really dry here and I am shaving around a beard so I probably take a bit longer, but if I lather my whole face the lather on my neck is completely dried out before I get to it. I like the lather so here's what I do.
1) get very hot water (almost scalding) in an insulated coffee carafe and keep a small towel handy.
2) lather up
3) shave upper right quadrant above beard
4) move to bottom lip. maybe touch up lather and shave that.
5) pour hot water on towel in sink and wipe off all the remaining lather
6) lather up left upper and entire neck again
7) shave upper left
8) more hot water on towel and remove all lather again
9) lather up neck and shave with the grain
10) lather up neck again and shave against the grain
sounds like a lot of work but once you have a mug of lather it's just a matter of grabbing the brush again. Wiping your face off with a hot towel while shaving feels really good. I use proraso with menthol and eucalyptus so maybe I'm addictied to that :D. You don't want to be shaving with flaky (dried) lather.
Especially if you're using a soap, because soap-lather drying on the skin can dry out the skin, leading to unpleasantness all around.
Same here, sometimes if I breathe out quickly through my nose there is a mini snowstorm in my sink! But it's only because I'm so slow shaving, and the lather on my brush (resting in the mixing bowl in a sink of warm water) remains OK and has plenty left for reapplying.Quote:
Originally Posted by kerik
First, Welcome to SRP and the world of straight shaving!
Not to pile on, but I agree with others about shaving technique being a problem.
However, I did not see any discussion about stropping. I hope that you are stropping the razor before every shave.
^
Yeah, I've been giving it 25 or so laps on a tony miller 3" latigo.
So I had shave # 5 today and things went better. concentrated on skin stretching-i did notice it seemed more natural for me to do my lower neck on the left side with my right hand-using my left to stretch.
Again, did only WTG, finishing with a fusion. On shave six, I will attempt XTG.
Didnt think I was up for a Fool's Pass attempt, so the nostril area was a poor result. On the video, Xman used both hands on the fools' pass. Could someone explain this to me, and maybe some advice on this, or a way of getting that area effeciently?
Also, where can one get an alum block in NYC? Pasteur didn't have any...
guys, thanks for all the replies...one day Rome will be built!
I used to do 25 laps on my leather strop. I noticed there are many folks here that go 50 to 100 laps on the leather. I tried 50 laps and noticed a marked improvement. Now I strop at least 50 laps before each shave.
Dave
I agree with the other guys on the technique aspect..
However I would like to give you a tip on lathering; überlather!
It really gave me a wow experience when I tried it out..
Illustrated Guide to making Ãœberlather - Straight Razor Place Wiki
//Victor
FWIW, if I were you I wouldn't worry about the Fool's Pass until you are totally comfortable with straight razor shaving. I have a year of exclusivly shaving with a straight and have tried it twice without success and I have no plans to try it again. I can and do get a clean shave on my upper lip going WTG and XTG. Xman would probably tell you to wait until you are really adept at using the razor before messing with the Fool's Pass. Just my opinion.:shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by kerik