Thread: Revelation

Thought I should post the latest milestone - a big step forward for me today, and one that I feel quite pleased with. A busy weekend had my mind occupied on things other than shaving so I was determined to make the most of a half-hour or so to catch up. I practiced the usual routine but importantly found that my stropping technique is coming along nicely (it pains me to say that my first strop bears the evidence of my learning). And, at last, my Dovo passed the HHT for the first time

I had taken the time to carefully evaluate my beard growth and actually mapped it out for pre-shave study, establishing a stroke technique that I hope will endure. The shave was very gratifying, with two passes delivering as smooth a result as I can remember.

But the 'piece de resistance' was when I decided to try something else. Very tentatively, I made another pass with shallow angles, using just a dash of hot water to eke out the remaining lubrication on my skin. The result was spectacular - BBS or what?

Maybe this works for me particularly well because my whiskers are not especially coarse - whatever the explanation, it was a result. I found that it also helped me to define the edges of a tightly-kept goatee that I am forbidden to shave

Pleased.

I am glad you found that out, it does make a big difference.

Originally Posted by Moggs

But the 'piece de resistance' was when I decided to try something else. Very tentatively, I made another pass with shallow angles, using just a dash of hot water to eke out the remaining lubrication on my skin. The result was spectacular - BBS or what?

Congratulations on the shave. Feels great, doesn't it? When I have a straight shave I usually wait for a day when I don't have much on the go so my concentration is always there (and more relaxing too), but there has been the odd time when I have been in a hurry, luckily with no disasters.
BTW - the technique that you described above is known in these circles as a water pass

Ive found that my best shaves come when I pay attention to my stropping. I have a course beard and need to lather up for each run. Ive found that planning my strokes ahead has made for a better shave, I also plan on how to strech my face to get a smooth survice. I shave with a straight razor everyday and find its a great way to start my day on a possitive note.

The shallow-angle once over after rinsing works great for me too. I've seen it suggested in primers and I've seen it used by barbers on youtube. It really works great.

Many go for a shallow angle at the end. It's easier to make it glide with a thinner lather, & i find it really helps prevent irritation.
It's nice to get a breakthrough moment!

Thanks all. If only I could get to the small areas of stubble, just in the lower creases of my jaw, 'twixt chin and neck I can't figure out why I can't hit them as it's not as if they're hidden or anything. I suspect that it's a recessed area that doesn't get much attention from anything other than a WTG pass.

You might find Bart's excellent post useful: Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Great piece of work, albeit that the "advanced" part should be paid attention to.

Here is a very useful graphical representation of varying degrees during different types of passes.

Thanks BB. I'll give this area a little more concentration - I've learned to limit the attention to one particular spot as soreness is the inevitable result!

Now we're motoring! OK, so I've done for my strop with a heap of slices that I'm quite ashamed of. So be it - a sacrificial strop and one which I readily pay homage to but my technique is such that I am now confident of getting an edge to be proud of.

In a quieter moment today while I was lamenting the demise of the DovoLeder, I remembered a belt with a busted buckle, sure enough as it turned out, as smooth as silk. I was soon stropping again, this time with a long (but thin!) stroke that had a remarkable effect. I think it was the fact that I was getting so much more slick contact time that transformed my blade into a HHT masterpiece I enjoyed a velvet shave and as I sit here, my face is as silky smooth as it's ever been. This hobby gets better and better apart from the over-confident slice that the brute carved into my cheek - must practice more patience

So a question, do strops come in 'extra-long' sizes? But heck - seems to be nothing wrong with the belt, though maybe a bit unorthodox!