Thread: First str8 shaves...

So I finally got my Dovo Special and have launched into the world of str8's.

Too eager to do much else, I stropped the blade 20/30 times and thought I'd give it a go straight from the box. The Dovo didn't pass the HHT test using my wife's superfine head hair, but I figured her hair is so fine that any blade would have trouble popping it. Regardless, the result on my cheeks/sideburn and neck area (WTG + XTG) was way better than I expected. Noticeably smoother than a disposable, but I was snagging pretty badly on the chin/lip area. The Dovo gave me a little bite about half an inch long on my upper lip to let me know it was serious though...

So for round two, the next day, I took it to the Kasumi 3000/8000 (lapped of course - thanks for the advice), and, for lack of any other information on honing with a Kasumi, used the 'keen-edge' Norton pyramid pattern. Still no luck with the HHT, so back to the 8000 for about 30 laps, checking in between. By the end, the blade was sucking nicely against the stone. Voila! A good workout on the canvass followed by the leather strop (about 50-60 laps) and this is one sharp blade. Popping my wife's superfine head hair with ease, and cleanly catching arm hairs about 1/2 inch above the skin.

Second shave was amazing. Lightest of pressure cutting cleanly and satisfyingly. Got through the lip/chin areas without any dramas - but can see that practice will make perfect to work out the angles and get a really close shave there.

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's advice when I posted a week or so ago. Without this forum, my foray into this art would have taken longer, or perhaps not at all. I'll be checking back in regularly, but hats off for such a supportive and informative site.

Wow -- great job, a good second shave
after your first honing session? A natural
you must be!

- Scott

Less of a natural, and more a thorough researcher! I read, and re-read all the information I could find on this site, and was just slow and methodical (except for my first shave!!!). There is a wealth of information here - I mean it when I say it made doing this a lot easier.

Welcome Bagman
All I have to say is Um.........WHAT ARE YOU DOING SHAVING YOUR WIFES HEAD.

Just Kidding glad to hear everything went well
happy shaving

Thanks Broncobob.

Don't laugh - you should have seen her face when she came in to see how I was going at the precise moment I had a little blood on my upper lip, face half-covered in shaving cream, eyes bulging from the concentration and blade akimbo in one hand, when I offered to shave her legs. She was gone in a flash.