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  1. #1
    hon
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    Default newbie needs help

    Hello everyone. I am new to straight razor shaving. I got the DVD by Lynn Abrams and have watched it many times.

    I ended up buying my first straight razor, a Filarmonica doble temple, from Classic Shaving. However i have never achieved a good result with this razor. I have asked Classic Shaving to sharpen it before sending to me and they said the razor has been pre-sharpened already.

    I used to shave with a double edge blade in a holder and my face will get as smooth as a baby's bum. However, with my first straight razor, i couldn't get a smooth shave. My face is still like i haven't shaven for 24 hours.

    What is wrong here? Is the razor not sharp enough? I am using a leather strope to condition the razer every time.

    Do I need to send the razor to a professional to sharpen it?

    Please help.


  2. #2
    Professional Pedantic Pontificator
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    Default

    This is a pretty common questions, and the answer is pretty much always one of two things.

    A. The razor might not be sharp enough. I'm not sure if the razors sold by classic shaving are really "shave ready" or not, but I'm sure somebody here knows. If it's not sharp enough, there's a number of members who can get it in shape for you.

    B. Technique. It takes a lot more skill and a practice to get a good shave with a straight than a DE. Most all of us agree that a straight gives a better shave once you know what you're doing, but that can take a little while. Just keep practicing and you'll get there.

  3. #3
    hon
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    thank you vdubb.

    i specificially ask classic shaving to sharpen it before sending to me, but i received the razor straight away with a note saying it didn;t need extra sharpening as it has been sharpen already.

    now i am not too sure about this.
    Last edited by hon; 05-20-2009 at 06:23 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member The0ctopus's Avatar
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    i was talking with someone last night aboout these razors and there supposed to be great shavers. they are quite expensive, its a shame ur not getting good results.

    if u can u should do like what i did and add a vid of you shaving, then people can see why your having problems, too much pressure, wrong angles etc.

  5. #5
    The original Skolor and Gentileman. gugi's Avatar
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    Welcome to SRP.

    How many times have you shaved with it? You shouldn't expect BBS for quite some time. It takes a bit more effort than with a DE razor since you have more control over the blade, so you have to get fairly proficient with it.

    It's hard to tell you whether the razor is sharp enough without more information. Does it shave arm hair easily? What about a WTG swipe on your sideburns?

    If classicshaving is telling you that they've honed them they probably have. If you're convinced it's not sharp enough you can contact them and see if they'll take another look at it, or contact one of the guys who offer honing.

  6. #6
    Silky Smooth
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    Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the razors sold as
    "presharpened" by Classic Shaving are honed by Lynn Abrams.
    If so it's very likely your Filarmonica should be plenty sharp.

    Regards,
    Jeff
    de gustibus non est disputandum



  7. #7
    Loudmouth FiReSTaRT's Avatar
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    Unless they got a new CSR, if they say that the Filly is shave-ready, it's been honed by Lynn, so it should be good to go. Pay close attention to your prep and technique. Both make a HUGE difference.
    PREP:
    -Wash your face to take all of the oils out
    -Put on some regular hair conditioner while you strop up the blade
    -Make sure you have a good balance of soap and water in the brush
    -You can start shaving immediately after lathering if you followed my steps to a T

    TECHNIQUE:
    -If you let your stubble grow or it's particularly thick and unmanageable you may need to alter your blade angle. Many newbs make the mistake of having the blade almost perpendicular to the face or at a 45deg angle. Make it 30 or even less.
    -STRETCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I hope this helps. Good luck!

  8. #8
    hon
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    Thank you guys for your replies. You are wonderful!!

    Is there a way to test if a razor is sharp enough?

  9. #9
    The original Skolor and Gentileman. gugi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hon View Post
    Is there a way to test if a razor is sharp enough?
    see the two suggestions in my post above. with proper beard preparation it should shave well the easy area on your face when you use good angle (2-3 spine widths from the skin) - if it does that it's quite likely good and you need practice, if not it's likely in need of honing.

  10. #10
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    Default Sharp enough?

    It should be based upon what I am reading. Prep the face according to the good instructions here and just work the side burns and sides of the face to test it. It was good advise on SRP to suggest working with a section(s) of the face to get started and develop your comfort factor and experience. There is no shame is just doing certain areas with the straight and using your other razor to finish the rest.

    Although I was fully committed to the straight razor from the first shave, I was using my Mach 3 to clean up areas that I was not getting BBS due to the technique learning curve. My Mach 3 was just getting used less and less as I was getting better and better at straight shaving. It didn't take too long before the Mach 3 was idle.

    If the sharp mystery continues to elude you, pick up a disposable straight with blades as these come in handy and those those blades are very sharp brand new. As you use these a few times, the blades become less sharp, but sharp enough to still shave effectively. Having felt and compared all these edges lightly with my thumb helped me understand the differences in sharpness of a straight razor just by touching it. So when I sharpen up my Dovo Special, I can sense when it is sharp enough by touching it lightly with my thumb. But then again, I have experience using it when it became dull and I discovered what dull feels like on my face and thumb.

    Good Luck getting started and gaining some experience.

    Pabster

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