New Blade

Hi everyone, I'll start by saying I've been shaving with a straight razor that uses replaceable blade for years now. Last week a purchased my first "real" straight razor, a Dovo Bismarck, from straight razor design. I've read on here that its one of the few places you can purchase a razor that is truly shave ready. I tried it out, without stropping, with minimal success. To anyone who has used replaceable blade straight razors or just anyone, is there a significant difference in technique between the two or ease of cutting? or should I just give it a good stropping?


p.s. I bought a fairly inexpensive strop on ebay, a "selective" strop from NY, is anyone familiar with them? I didn't want to try it on a nice new razor and ruin the blade with a cheap strop.


Than You,
O'Hooligan

Coming from Straight Razor Designs (SRD) you can be confident that your razor is "shave ready". I believe that Lynn (the honemeister that honed your razor) recommends not to strop the razor the first time you use it. After that, it is strongly recommended that you strop your razor prior to using it. I cannot tell you anything about the strop you bought as I do not own one, probably it would work ok but if it does not, there are others in the market that are known to produce excellent results. I think that SRD and Tony Miller sell some of the best strops out there. Remember that besides a shave ready razor, technique in both stropping and shaving is very important to achieve good results. Also, beard preparation is extremely important and often overlooked. I could tell you that the weight and feel of the straight is completely different and one most get used to it first. While you learn, focus on comfort rather than closeness.

Al raz.

thanks, when i started to use the Dovo it was more plling the hairs rather than cutting so i finished up my shave with my replaceable blade straight razor.

Personally I think they are very different. With one you are using a flat razor blade. With the other you have a ground blade. You really need to adjust your shaving technique especially angle and stroke and pressure because of the differences. The disposable is much less forgiving too.

It is very common to finish shaving with a safety razor when you start using a straight, do not feel bad about it. Most people recommend that new users do this (start with the straight in the easy areas of the face, namely the cheeks and as confidence builds up, extent to more challenging areas), I call it "incremental shaving" ;-).

If the razor seem to be pulling the hairs, you may be experiencing one of more of the following problems: stropping or shaving technique, lather building or beard preparation:

* Get your strop and use it before you shave. This would help a lot.

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

* Increase shave performance by taking a shower or applying a hot towel to your face (or both) prior to shaving. People use oils or some pre shave creams as well.

Get a better shaving result by improving your preparation - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Preparation - Straight Razor Place Wiki

* Pay close attention to proper angle and pressure while you shave.

Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Happy shaving!!!

Al raz.

Last week I decided to give a disposable blades straight razor a try. It shaves alright, but I did not enjoy the experience too much. The factory blades are sharp enough so that eliminates one problem, but the whole thing feels flimsy. Not the razor itself, but the way it interacts with my beard. I have extra hollowed razors and I love them, but the disposables were quite a different thing.
But it does the job and I can get very nice shave out of it, just not one that I enjoy as much as with a regular razor.
And I think a disposable is indeed somewhat less forgiving not due to the sharpness - I have regular razors that are sharper. I think it's just part of that flimsiness that for me diminishes the fluidity of things a little bit. May be with more practice it'll be better, but I doubt I'll get that.

It's definitely a matter of technique. I have used Shavettes before and the angle is totally different with a straight, even a fully/extra hollow is different. I really don't like shavettes at all.

You're going to need practice. That's all there is to it when it comes to learning to shave with a well honed straight razor.

The technique is a little different but I would also try to improve your prep. With a shavette you can "cheat" a little on the prep and get away with it but on the straight you can't.

As an extreme example I could rinse my face with cold water, put goo in a can on my face, and shave with a Mach 3...it wouldn't be comfortable but I could cut hair. If I tried that with my straight I wouldn't cut any hair and would probably damage the edge of my blade.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OHooligan82

thanks, when i started to use the Dovo it was more plling the hairs rather than cutting so i finished up my shave with my replaceable blade straight razor.

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sounds like your angle and pressure need a little adjusting :gl:

Strop that baby and tell me you can't tell the difference.

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