Improvement Needed

I have just completed my second shave. After my first shave, I was really wondering why with a very sharp razor I was getting pulling on the first pass (I only had one day's worth of stubble). I received some comments from SRP members about my blade angle.

Today, I really concentrated on my blade angle and it definitely helped. Much less resistance, but I did notice something....

If I did around 3 short strokes over the same area successively in-a-row, the resistance and effort required to move the blade decreased dramatically with each stroke.

Is this a normal issue?

or do I need to still work on blade angle, and my stroke. I have received help from Utopian and he suggested a scything motion. Any help will be appreciated.

I repeat a stroke one after another a couple of times in some areas, some call it buffing. Stretching is IME as important as blade angle. Another thing that I had to learn was not to try to get bbs in one stroke.

The first WTG pass is to reduce the whiskers not to get them down to zero. Gradual stubble removal is the way I learned and what I practice. In this way I don't use too much pressure trying to get it in one pass and I avoid irritation.

Personally I go WTG on the first pass and then either XTG or ATG on the second pass depending on the area. Some areas respond to one better than the other. I only do two passes and a touch up here and there and I get a smooth close and comfortable shave without irritation.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I repeat a stroke one after another a couple of times in some areas, some call it buffing. Stretching is IME as important as blade angle. Another thing that I had to learn was not to try to get bbs in one stroke.

The first WTG pass is to reduce the whiskers not to get them down to zero. Gradual stubble removal is the way I learned and what I practice. In this way I don't use too much pressure trying to get it in one pass and I avoid irritation.

Personally I go WTG on the first pass and then either XTG or ATG on the second pass depending on the area. Some areas respond to one better than the other. I only do two passes and a touch up here and there and I get a smooth close and comfortable shave without irritation.

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Do you notice that you feel more "pulling" on the first stroke when you are in the reduction stage of shaving instead of the BBS stage of shaving? Or is the fact that I do feel this still a technique issue with my blade angle and stretching?

I guess my real question is this.... On the first stroke should the razor just glide effortlessly through my beard? What I notice is that I get resistance first, then with each successive stroke in the same area the resistance goes down.

I am new to this site and have found quite a group of knowledgeable people that enjoy shaving with "Danger". Though I have not added comments before, I am impressed with the answers and help that I have enjoyed reading.

Good luck on your venture. I am 60 years old and just started shaving with the cut throat in the last two months so I am a newbee too. The short strokes seem to work for me as well, and then I go against the grain with a second pass. I also have found that taking my time works best too. I have had the habit of rushing things in the past, but this has forced me to slow down and ENJOY the shave. I was told that in a month I would have it down and today, after about two months, I feel very comfortable with it and get a great shave.

Good stuff there from Jimmy. You may want to look up his article on The Multiple Pass Shaving Technique - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki has some more hints and tricks about angles and skin stretching.

On a personal note, I would like to add that it took me months to get a BBS shave. Straight shaving takes time, and patience. Don't try to do everything at the same time, you'll get there in the end. :)

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Originally Posted by fatpanda

Do you notice that you feel more "pulling" on the first stroke when you are in the reduction stage of shaving instead of the BBS stage of shaving? Or is the fact that I do feel this still a technique issue with my blade angle and stretching?

I guess my real question is this.... On the first stroke should the razor just glide effortlessly through my beard? What I notice is that I get resistance first, then with each successive stroke in the same area the resistance goes down.

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No. IME if the razor is pulling it isn't sharp enough. OTOH, I say that having gone through the learning curve with blade angle and stretching as well as proper prep. If any of those were lacking maybe even a sharp razor would pull. I cannot recall the problem with a truly shave ready razor.

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Originally Posted by Seeyadude

I have had the habit of rushing things in the past, but this has forced me to slow down and ENJOY the shave.

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That is one of the best parts of taking up these tools. Forces you to slow down and focus.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

No. IME if the razor is pulling it isn't sharp enough. OTOH, I say that having gone through the learning curve with blade angle and stretching as well as proper prep. If any of those were lacking maybe even a sharp razor would pull. I cannot recall the problem with a truly shave ready razor.

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Oh, but that really is too easy. Just don't heat the lathering bowl well enough, don't soak the brush well enough, let the bad lather dry up on your face, pick an angle that is too steep, don't stretch your skin properly - and you're in business. In my personal experience, a not-truly-shave-ready razor is less of a problem than the above, especially in unison.

Anyone got a quick cure for ingrowns, by the way? Ever since I started shaving with razors honed to perfection by a former member, I've been getting ingrowns. And it hurts.

If you are thinking that you should simply use one stroke all the way across your face for every stroke when you shave, you should really re-think this. The norm should be a series of short strokes, even an inch at a time followed by longer clean up strokes over that area. You should find this more enjoyable and comfortable as you become accustomed to holding the razor and shaving with a good cutting angle.

Lynn

Thank you all for your comments... Now having completed shave number 3 today, I really worked on my blade angle, and using a shorter stroke. It definitely helped. I was definitely using too small of a blade angle.

I do need some more help. Ok I think be careful, because I accidentally dinged the toe of my blade on the bottom of the faucet (right where the water comes out). Unfortunately I can see a small dent in the edge. I did not notice until I inspected the blade. I ended up getting the WORST, razor burn I have ever had. I ended up checking the edge after the shave was over.

Could this really small single tiny dent in the blade cause this severe of a razor burn? Sorry to the person who honed my blade. It was a total accident and I am bummed about it.

Unfortunatly yes a tiny seeming ding can turn your face to hamburger. The worst cut of my shaving career was not from mishandling the razor but from a ding I didn't even see. If you are badly burnt I would give your face a couple days to heal before giving it another shot with a different razor. Some healing time will make the next shave better.