So the past few weeks I have been exploring this straight razor thing. What is the big deal, I would ask myself. Since then I have three straights. One is honed by OLD_SCHOOL here on SRP, a GOTTA hamburg 120. Very cool razor. I also own a Henckels #50 that I love the look of and was honed by a member on B&B. I have greatly enjoyed the shaving process with a straight since starting. It's just awesome.

I can't get a good enough shave though. I hit a certain wall where I can get a decent shave, but I look five o clockish and am rough when I rub ATG on my face and neck. I think I may have been stropping incorrectly with my hollow razors. Hearing a "SCHINK SCHINK" ringing sound when I stropped. Well yesterday I heard a different sound and felt the strop pull the razor. I think this was the effect I should've been getting for the past few weeks. The sound is a lot more dull, but is smooth. It is hard to explain two different sounds over the internet though. Also going ATG hurts even with the razor is flat on my skin (including the spine). I think I was stropping wrong this whole time.


Sound the razor make a loud ringing noise when I strop or a more smooth duller sound with pulling when I strop? It is a full hollow razor.

This morning I was in a rush so I reached for my favorite DE, a GIllette 1926 NEW improved with feather blades. Now I see how bad my straight shaves are. This morning shave was amazing, super BBS and I feel like I haven't hit puberty yet from the Gillette NEW. The only hope I have to keep trying the straight is I have spent a lot of money on a tony miller Strop and THREE shave ready blades since starting. I also bought a yellow coticule for touching up the blades.

Was stropping the problem? I use a low angle ATG (spine on skin) and I don't go over 30 degress on any other passes. I don't use any pressure at all (almost negative actually) and I have good face prep since I have been shaving DE for six months.

I don't want to give up since I love my straights and strop, plus the coticule. I love the look of the razors and the process. But every video I see makes the shaves look amazing and mine are just okay now for the past three-four weeks.