Thread: I need help

So I started using a straight razor (Dovo Bismarck) about a month and a half ago (on and off). I used the shavette before and got excellent result so I know how to use one when shaving. However, whenever I go across or against the grain my razor pulls and drags like hell. I purchased the Norton 4k/8k and a Belgian stone to help sharpen and smooth the edge, but I'm only getting slightly better results. I'm considering selling off my stuff because I just can't get a good shave with the straight. Any suggestions/advice you guys can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

First of WELCOME!!! My first question is if your new razor came "shave ready"? New razors do NOT come ready to shave out of the box, thus this will be everyone's first question. As for a personal commet till we get that answer, shavettes are slightly different to shave with then a real straight. I use a shavette when I travel and it is not the same feel as far as pressure and such on the face. Once you get used to and comfortable with a straight you will never want to use anything else. HANG IN THERE AND DON'T GIVE UP!!! We'll get you straight yet.....

You might consider buying another razor and sending the Dovo out for pro honing. That way you would have a spare.
Another idea is to find another straight user in your area. He/she could help you tune your honing skills.
Or you could sell that bad boy Dovo to me.

It takes practice to get that keen edge. Since your edge is very close it would take very light consistent pressure(razor's weight) to hone that edge. Do you have any chrome oxide or diamond pastes? Has your stropping improved the edge?

Rick

Get ready for the on slaught of questions from fellow members. Heres my first question. Was it honed by a pro when you bought it or is it the factory edge that you are using?

You might find the following articles useful:

1. The Shave Ready Razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki
2. Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

The razor came shave-ready from Classic Shaving. I know when I first started I wasn't stropping correctly. I have since caught my mistake and have gotten better (not perfect). When I honed, I finished my honing on the yellow coticule and stropped directly on leather. I don't have any sharpening pastes. I can literally feel the burn when I go across the grain. One more thing, the razor sometimes passes the hanging hair test after stropping (although only some parts of the blade).

Have that razor professionally honed again. You won't be doing it, or yourself, a service with trying to hone it, I think. Honing without knowing what the end result should really look like is a daunting task.

Using the shavette is a good way to to practice using an open razor. True straight razors are slightly different. as mentioned above, in technique and maintenance. Best advice is, as a newbie, to send you Dovo to Utopian for free honing (send him a PM). Utopian is offering free honing to newbies. Next option would be to send to someone that advertises in the classified section of this forum. If you like, send it to me. I'll hone it for free plus shipping.

I don't recommend learning to hone on a razor you are trying to learn to straight shave with. As mentioned above, buy another razor to learn with. You will have a benchmark in the first razor.

Your stropping may also be an issue. Read the WIKI for the proper stropping technique and search this forum for other threads on the topic.

Don't give up until yo have a proper edge on your straight. You won't be sorry.

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great advice!!!!!!!

I guess I'm wondering how badly you messed up the edge by what you considered your bad stropping. You might need the edge to be touched up. I'd be willing to hone it for free. If you're interested, send me a PM.