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03-12-2009, 02:47 PM #1Senior Member
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shaving with a Japanese style straight and when his blade effortlessly glided through his chin whiskers as if it was a squeegee wiping a windshield I knew I didn't have a shave ready razor.Don't feel like the Lone Ranger
I too am a right handed shaver and I went through a period of feeling awkward attacking certain areas. With practice the razor began to feel like an extension of my fingers.
As far as pressure goes, if you feel irritated following the shave then it could be too much pressure. Proper technique including prep, stretching the skin and blade angle is important in using a minimum of pressure and having the razor remove the stubble efficiently. Not falling into the trap of trying to get bbs with one pass is important too. I had a tendency to do that even though I knew better. Here is a little blurb on that.
When a new straight shaver complains that his pre-honed razor is not sharp in many cases the problem is a lack of one or all of the above.
OTOH, if the razor isn't truly shave ready and proper prep, stretching and blade angle are used the razor won't cut efficiently. Especially in the tougher areas such as the chin, jawline and around the windpipe.
It will pull and the shaver will tend to use more pressure to overcome the lack of keenness. Been there and done all that. I watched a video of a guy Rustyblade
Just food for thought. Assess your razor against your technique and you'll have to figure out if one or both is lacking. If it is the razor IME getting a honemiester to tune up a couple and using those as I learned to hone my own while improving my shaving techniques made all the difference.
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.
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03-12-2009, 03:29 PM
#2
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I reiterate what I said here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...e-im-done.html
The most important thing is to let the razor do its work. If you feel awkward trying to reach a spot, try switching hands or a different hold.
Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki
It is important to remember that one must have the correct angle for best result. Perhaps this diagram may help:
Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki
And do not try to do too much the first few times, aim for comfort rather than closeness. As your technique develops so would the closeness. Do not worry, your shaves WILL improve.
Al raz.
03-12-2009, 03:53 PM
#3
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+1 on Jockeys' vids. Also, it took my face more than a couple shaves just to get used to the new way of shaving. I had some bad burn until my face got used to it.
As far as pressure is concerned, I think of it like this: I'm only using enough pressure to wipe off the lather. I sort of picture straight shaving as using the blade to wipe off the lather, and so that's all the pressure I put on it, i.e. little to none. Its kinda hard to describe, but I hope that helps.
03-19-2009, 01:44 AM
#4
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actually that just helped
totally helpedOriginally Posted by theworldover
I think I might have some burn from my shave last night. Now I'm currently using a disposable blade ST8 and it's a little awkward with the disposable gripped in the wedge of the "blade". My first real ST8 is in the mail, and I keep reading little to no pressure, so now I know how go go at it :-)
Thanks
M0nk3y
03-12-2009, 04:17 PM
#5
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shaving with a Japanese style straight and when his blade effortlessly glided through his chin whiskers as if it was a squeegee wiping a windshield I knew I didn't have a shave ready razor.
