Not as close as expected :(

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01-19-2009, 12:59 AM
minitruth

Not as close as expected :(

Well.. a few weeks back, I purchased my first straight razor from zeepk.com (Zeepk Straight Razor first Quality carbon steel). I've watched many videos on YouTube about stropping and about the shaving technique, so I was all ready to go (but a little nervous). When I finally got out of the shower and went for my first shave, I found that the razor did not cut me once! While this should be gratifying enough, given the old reaction you get when you mention shaving with a straight razor, I was disappointed to find that my shave wasn't very close at all.

My second attempt yeilded some better results, but I was still left feeling quite scratchy. Both times I was forced to finish up with my Mach3 in order to get my face as smooth as it normally is. I've been told by barbers before that my facial hair is like iron... but I expected that a newly stropped razor would be able to get the job done. I know that my technique is still developing and that my angle might be off, but I'm seriously surprised at how not-close my shave is with the razor. Even going over my face 2 or 3 times, going different directions.

Am I missing something? Advice would be appreciated!!
01-19-2009, 01:03 AM
Quick

I'm sorry to give you this news but Zeepk razors are complete junk. The steel is not of sufficient quality to get to a really decent edge and they will not hold whatever edge you can mange to get them to. It's not even worth trying to get it to sort of work.
01-19-2009, 01:16 AM
minitruth

If that's the case, what razor would you suggest that won't break the bank?
01-19-2009, 01:21 AM
Dups

Look in the classifieds here. Make sure the razor is 'shave ready'.
01-19-2009, 01:23 AM
jbcohen

Hate to jump in here but as a new person to straight shaving I went and found what is generally thought of as a "pretty good" straight razor maker - Dovo. They won't break the bank and is not of the highest quality, yet is not of terrible quality. Dovo is an average maker of straights. I have two: one carbon steel and one stainless steel and they work great. I wouldn't go running out on the street yelling and screaming about how great the quality is but they are definitely nothing to sneeze at in the quality department. Excellent for new users like you and I.
01-19-2009, 01:28 AM
Quick

?? Dovo still makes some very fine razors. Their less expensive ones are still top quality but you're going to spend at least $70? You should be able to get a comparable or better used razor here in the classifieds for $40 or $50.
01-19-2009, 01:30 AM
gssixgun

Quote:

Originally Posted by minitruth

Well.. a few weeks back, I purchased my first straight razor from zeepk.com (Zeepk Straight Razor first Quality carbon steel). I've watched many videos on YouTube about stropping and about the shaving technique, so I was all ready to go (but a little nervous). When I finally got out of the shower and went for my first shave, I found that the razor did not cut me once! While this should be gratifying enough, given the old reaction you get when you mention shaving with a straight razor, I was disappointed to find that my shave wasn't very close at all.

My second attempt yeilded some better results, but I was still left feeling quite scratchy. Both times I was forced to finish up with my Mach3 in order to get my face as smooth as it normally is. I've been told by barbers before that my facial hair is like iron... but I expected that a newly stropped razor would be able to get the job done. I know that my technique is still developing and that my angle might be off, but I'm seriously surprised at how not-close my shave is with the razor. Even going over my face 2 or 3 times, going different directions.

Am I missing something? Advice would be appreciated!!

Look up see the word WIKI????
Read lots....
and welcome to SRP honest it will be the best shave you ever had once you get squared away.....
01-19-2009, 01:32 AM
jbcohen

I will yield on the knowledge basis since I have two dovos and that's about it. No point of comparison.
01-19-2009, 01:44 AM
minitruth

Thanks for the (exceedingly fast) help and support. I was looking at a Dovo first and didn't buy based on price. I guess you get what you pay for. I'm gonna use the Wiki in case I missed any basic stuff and then get myself a good blade.
01-19-2009, 02:37 AM
errnest

second the look at the classifieds

Granted I'm new also but on the advice of people here I kept my eyes on the classifieds. I got a good razor for a good price. My observation is that they go quick though.
01-19-2009, 02:45 AM
jnich67

It should also be pointed out that even with a good sharp razor, your first few shaves probably aren't going to all that. Not to say the experience won't be satisfying, but it takes time and practice to learn to shave well with a straight. If it was easy, a lot more guys would do it. Have realistic expectations, patience, and enjoy the whole process of learning and shaving.

I'll step down from my soapbox now :p

Jordan
01-19-2009, 02:54 AM
xman

Welcome, minitruth

I'm going to echo others and suggest that you get your 'first' razor from the classifieds here. It'll be the best deal, likely great steel and ready to go.

X
01-19-2009, 01:11 PM
mlangstr

Welcome to the straightpath minitruth,

I've been straightened out a couple of months now.. started with a Dovo shavette and then things got a bit out of hand..

In my short experience I learned a couple of things..
-first you cant go wrong with a razor from the classifieds.
-the help and advice you get here is AWSOME

If you have taken that first step it will be a blast and before you know it you've got more razors than fingers on one hand...... I've got four razors now...:thinking:

Maarten
01-20-2009, 03:03 AM
kahunamoose

It takes a while to get dialed in to gear, the process, probably variables that I have not even recognized yet. The learning curve can be sort of steep. So, it takes time to get a really close shave, and it takes even more time to get that close shave ‘most of the time’. It will be easy to impress yourself in a few days if you have a truly shave ready razor and don’t blow the edge while stropping. It will probably take a few months until you can repeat that success most of the time. Then you will look back and laugh that you thought you were kicking a@@ a few months earlier. It’s fun all along the way. This is the nature of the beast.

PS – forget about the Zeepk thing. Many people here have had a similar experience. It’s not what real shaving is like. We DO need to work out a castration regime for people who sell that crap. If you are the one who figures it out, you’ll be revered as a God.
:chop:
02-24-2009, 12:44 AM
minitruth

Well.. it's been a few weeks and I ordered a razor from the classifieds. Wow. A world of difference. The shave is so much closer and I can feel that the edge of the blade is so much better than the Zeepk one I had bought before. I even nicked myself a few times, which was unintended but in a way more satisfying than dragging a crappy razor over my skin and missing whole swaths of hair.

Thanks to all who responded and got me on the right track!
02-24-2009, 12:46 AM
Disburden

You can get the Wapin from ken at RupRazor.com.

He hones the blade, he is a master at it, then sends it to you where you don't even need to strop it first shave. He also gives you a 3 month honing warantee incase you need a honing or messed up the blade. 58$
02-24-2009, 01:00 AM
gugi

Quote:

Originally Posted by minitruth

Well.. it's been a few weeks and I ordered a razor from the classifieds. Wow. A world of difference. The shave is so much closer and I can feel that the edge of the blade is so much better than the Zeepk one I had bought before. I even nicked myself a few times, which was unintended but in a way more satisfying than dragging a crappy razor over my skin and missing whole swaths of hair.

Thanks to all who responded and got me on the right track!

Great - glad that you enjoy the experience.
02-24-2009, 01:04 AM
Del1r1um

Quote:

Originally Posted by minitruth

Well.. it's been a few weeks and I ordered a razor from the classifieds. Wow. A world of difference. The shave is so much closer and I can feel that the edge of the blade is so much better than the Zeepk one I had bought before. I even nicked myself a few times, which was unintended but in a way more satisfying than dragging a crappy razor over my skin and missing whole swaths of hair.

Thanks to all who responded and got me on the right track!

Amen brother! Testify!.... welcome to the fold:y
02-24-2009, 01:19 AM
Spike J

Do not worry about the Zeepk piece of cr:cenp. I would think that a goodly number here, myself included, started with one because they did not know any better. You live, you shave, you bleed & you learn :D:D:D

Enjoy your shaves!
02-24-2009, 09:45 AM
Cornelius

Yes, make sure you get an actually shave ready blade. Your best bet is to get a good razor from a honemeister here, or to buy a cheap one and send it to a honemeister.

Once you've got the shave ready razor, you'll get a much better result, but dont expect perfection the first time around. Think of it like driving: when you get your license, you can move your car from A to B without major accidents, but you dont have the assurance, the experience, the foresight you've got a few years later. Respect the blade, be careful, watch the angle. It will only get better from there on! :rock: