Thread: I can't get a close shave

I must be doing something wrong. I have been shaving for 3 weeks now and I can't seem to get a close shave. I shave at night and after I finish shaving, it looks like I have a close shave, but by mid next day I have serious stubble. It's not a sharpness problem. My razor is wicked sharp. So what could I be doing wrong?

thanks
Ed

Have you been able to get a closer shave before you went to the straight razor? It sounds to me a technique issue. Are you getting any nicks/irritation, or is it just a problem with closeness? Try varying your shave angle, you'd be surprised how differently the razor can cut at different angles. Typically 30 degree relative to your skin is good when going with the grain.

You mentioned your razor is wicked sharp, how was it honed? Not that I don't believe you, but you'd be surprised how sharp a straight razor can get. I thought my first razor was wicked sharp, didn't get close shaves, until I got it honed by a honemeister here. Now I know just how super sharp the blade must be to get a close shave.

I know I have a lot of questions...sorry, but there could be so many reasons why. My bet is that it's simply a technique issue that requires more practice.

Before you started using a straight did you always shave at night? I have been at it for 3 months now and am now starting to get real close shaves that last, but my normal growth will give me stubble by the next afternoon when I shave at night. It has always been that way for me no matter what razor I use.

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

You mentioned your razor is wicked sharp, how was it honed? Not that I don't believe you, but you'd be surprised how sharp a straight razor can get. I thought my first razor was wicked sharp, didn't get close shaves, until I got it honed by a honemeister here. Now I know just how super sharp the blade must be to get a close shave.

+1 on that...

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

+1 on that...

When I manage to get an extremely close shave (about 0.0000001'' close to weepers), there is little to no evening shade on my face for the bigger part of the next day. Most of the time, however, it ain't so.

My razor was sharpened by Lynn. When I shaved with a disposable Shick, I didnt get stubble like this. I guess it is my technique. I do see irritation, when i finish shaving.

If it was sharpened by Lynn, you can rule out the razor not being sharp enough! You'll get closer shaves the more you practice, it's just refining the technique that works for your face. The irritation is most likely due to too much pressure. Try to use as little as pressure possible while still cutting the hair. It took me months to figure that one out....

Originally Posted by tryonix

I must be doing something wrong. I have been shaving for 3 weeks now and I can't seem to get a close shave. I shave at night and after I finish shaving, it looks like I have a close shave, but by mid next day I have serious stubble.

How does the shave feel, rather than look, after your evening shave? If it feels BBS and you shave daily I wouldn't get overy concerned. I shave daily and after 15-16 hours I look pretty scruffy, and I get a BBS nearly every time I shave. I give my face a rest on Sundays so I don't shave. When I shave on Monday it seems to be closer and it lasts longer. In fact there are many people here who shave every two or three days. I can't do that in my job. I get better and closer shaves with my straight razor than I did with my twin and still have the stubble after many hours. It's a function of my beard, not my technique. This might be what is happening to you...

If I shaved before bed and then had stubble the next day by lunch, that'd be normal. Once I pass 12 hours after a shave things grow back fast for me. That's one of the reasons I don't shave at night, seems like a waste to me. Why be smooth just to sleep on it? I'd rather have it for the day ahead.

I'm a night shaver too, just out of habit. I like taking the time in the evening to wind down, and then I also have more time in the morning to sleep!