Thread: Shaved straight for 6+ months, ready to toss it.

Keep in mind, that is a tough blade to hone. I had a different model--the black handle, but it's the same blade in there. Some people have discussed that razor at length on various threads here. Supposedly, Thiers Issard has started using extra hard carbon steel, and it takes a lot of patience to hone it to an edge--I mean hours. My blade also, fairly typically, had an enormous smile (more like a sh*t-faced grin) and did not lie flat on the hone. I learned (through painful trial and error!) how to use rolling Xs on that blade. It was a very useful learning experience. I would agree with all the posts here--read more, experiment more and, if you're on the verge of quitting, definitely send that razor to a honemeister. Thiers Issard makes an awesome razor, and it should be able to give you a shave that brings tears to your eyes (in a good way!). Also, I would stop doing ATG until you have mastered WTG and XTG. I do a third pass maybe once in a blue-ish moon, because it almost invariably causes irritation, and two passes usually are quite enough.

Don't give up!

Edit: also, check out scything motions on the Wiki and threads, so that you come at the hairs not straight on but at a slight angle.

I used to have trouble with ATG using a disposable.

Prep. Prep. Prep.... and a good sharp blade ...

Now I can go ATG w/out any irritation with a straight.

It takes a little more time for my morning shave than a disposable, but the payoff for me is no irritation.

2 passes in 15 minutes for me ... not bad.

It sounds like you have a pretty good blade, though. It probably needs some maintenance after 6 months. Figure about once a month for some laps on a high grit stone to keep the edge.

Play with your prep & shaving technique to get it right for you. It does take some patience ... and good prep work.

Did I say good prep work ? lol.

Just think of it this way to bring it more into perspective. At one time everyone had to learn to use a straight because it was the only way to shave. So, are you telling us that you can't do what millions and millions who have gone before you have done?

Seriously though, check the sharpness of the razor and send it out if need be. Once you eliminate that issue then if you still have problems we can examine your technique.

We'll get you shaving with a straight even if it kills us.

6+ months of bad shaves - that is some determination. I'll hone it for you if you want. But I'm 5 hours away and even though I have a trip to the city soon, I am not going to bring my hones with me or have time to do it, so you'll have to use the mail.
Yes, Thiers-Issard is definitely not junk.

O.k. I'm going to not be a smartass for a few minutes.

What is your shave prep?

Shower/Hot towels?

How many times do you strop?

Was this razor ever honed or is it factory shave ready?


Send this razor to a honemeister and if you still hate str8 shaving after, sell your stuff and buy a DE safety razor and some blades.

Gives a good shave, easy to learn, cheap blades.

Originally Posted by philaudio

Recently I went on vacation and did not want to bring my straight razor because I did not want to risk jarring it and I had no idea what kind of an environment I might be shaving in. So for about a week I went back to the disposable . . and it was one of the biggest reliefs of my life.

Trouble is, no matter how good I get, my face always hurts. Always. And the shave is, well, really bad. My Quattro, at this point, gives a vastly superior shave. I figured that I'd been doing things wrong and my irritation was just my own lack of skill, but I've been doing this for a while now.

For my aniversiarry my wife got me a Straight Razor. I was very excited because I've wanted one for a long time. She went to "The Art of Shaving" and got me a razor with a stainless steel handle. It's got their logo on it and everything, but the blade is by Thiers Issard, so it's not junk or anything right?

Anyway I take my time learning how to shave, starting slowly and I've worked myself up to the point that I can shave myself completely without getting any nicks or anything. I use a nice hot brush and oil my face beforehand, and I even shave immediately after my shower so I've got a steamy environment to work in.

Another thing: even with a disposible, I'm not able to shave against the grain ever. ATG=horrible irritatoin and red bumps always and everytime. I can't even imagine what ATG with the straight razor would do. Does this indicate a certain type of facial hair that needs to be treated a special way with regards to the straight razor?

Also, I've been searching around this forum, and I think my razor is not shrp enough: it does not pass the HHT. Only if I grab the other side of the hair and pull it against the razor does the hair split, and I hear it do so. Where in NYC can I get a decent sharpening?

And overall, is there hope? I'm breaking my wife's heart by using the disposible, as the razor was an aniversiarry gift.

Thanks in advance.

Toss it my way, and I will relieve you of the problem.

In truth, though, you have probably identified the cause, a dull razor. Read up on honing and go to it before you give up. And don't worry about the HHT, it is nothing more than a parlor trick and is useless as a gauge to sharpness. The only test that matters is the shave test, and your razor has clearly failed that.

Had your razor not been an anniversary gift I'd say chuck it. Who cares? It's just a shave.

But I'm sentimental, and it is a gift from your wife, so...

I say stick with it. Keep in mind that shaving with a straight almost requires learning from someone with experience. Those of us who have learned on our own are either very stubborn, stupid, or both.

Also remember that the barbers of old had the advantage of a hands on master barber to teach all the fine points of using a straight. And there are quite a few.

You can still use your Quatro, or whatever. You're not cheating. When you feel the urge, go ahead and try your straight razor again. And, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, learning to strop correctly will be, at least one of, if not THE biggest challenge, and offer the biggest return, in straight shaving.

Now when you've been at it say, 10, 15, maybe 20 years? And you're still not getting the hang of it...I think your dear wife will understand if you just put your very nice gift up on a prominent display shelve and be done with it.




Scott

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

We'll get you shaving with a straight even if it kills us.

Spoken with true SRP spirit, sir.

Philaudio, if you dare giving up,
we will track your address,
and abduct you from your home.
Lynn will undergo plastic surgery, so he can take your place without your wife noticing. He'll shave in front of her twice a day.
In the mean time, we'll keep you locked in the secret SRP mansion,
inject you with Castle Forbes premium lather daily,
We will force you to strop during the day and hone at night.
We will force you to shave before each meal,
till you are completely brainwashed.
Only then we will pull back Lynn and give you back to your wife.
(She won't notice anything).

We rather do this the soft way,
BUT IF YOU INSIST...

The advice from all of these guys...who are much more experienced is great. I defer to them on the specifics but their responses to my first post has stuck with me for three months now.

SLOW WINS THE RACE!

This is a journey/experience, so DON"T GIVE UP.

I love the trials and tribulations of getting shave in. Keeps life interesting. I do it in the morning..no need for coffee first thing when you decide to put a straight to your face

Originally Posted by philaudio

... I think my razor is not shrp enough: it does not pass the HHT. Only if I grab the other side of the hair and pull it against the razor does the hair split, and I hear it do so. ...

This is your most likely problem there. Get it honed up and then work on your shaving and cutting angles.
In The Deep End » Blog Archive » Shave With Extreme Prejudice

X