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...but a decent start.
did my fist wtg stroke today
i know i didn't have a good lather, so that didn't help
my razor feels dull, i think i need to get it honed- or maybe just give it a better stropping (though, i managed to shred my strop up good on my third pass!)
pros: i didn't come closer to sending another disposable blade to sit in a landfill for 10,000 years
Good work! Yea, hone, strop, then shave. Gotta follow through with the first two steps.
Take it easy on your strop too. They are expensive.
first off make sure that your razor is shave ready, then go from there, it will take time. learn to strop first, then worry about honing. it will all come in time, do not give up and you will find it better with every shave
It takes time. Just be patient. Was your razor honed by a pro?
+1 on what's been said already. You may need to get your razor honed again, and when you do, don't strop it before you use it. You will be able to tell just how a truly sharp razor is suppost to feel. Then learn how to strop properly and make yourself a hard pasted strop and load it with Crox and use it when stropping doesn't seem to renew the edge any longer. That setup should keep your blade keen for quite a while until you will need your razor re-honed.
Good Luck
Ray
Don't Give up! I really liked some advice I saw in a thread. It went something like this, "at first go for comfort not closeness!"
I hope everything works out for you.
Don't give up! Could be technique too. Does the razor shave arm hair and did it come shave ready?
If you would like me to check your razor for sharpness and hone it for you free, let me know.
Welcome to SRP! Yeah, lather is important and you will find what works for you. It should have the consistency of whipped cream (the real stuff). You also started out the correct way, just WTG. You will likely not get a BBS with it. But you need to learn the correct pressures and angles. As you gain confidence with them you can start to add XG and ATG. It's not a race. Take your time, it's not a race. Before you know it you will become a master of it, and achieve that BBS... :gl:
a wtg pass on my arm has left me with an awkward bald spot near my wrist, i think i may just need more/better stropping passesQuote:
Originally Posted by Leighton
where's the best place to secure a strop? i'm thinking about going to the hardware store, and getting a hook to place at/near waist height. but, idk if i can anchor it in hard enough to resist the force of my mighty stropping
Here's my suggestion. Every bathroom has a door, and every door has trim molding around it. On the back side of the door, where the thickest part of the trim molding meets the drywall, pick your height and drill a small starter hole at about a 45 deg angle towards the opening. There is a 2x4 in there that will anchor your ring or hook very well. Screw the hook or ring into the hole and attach your strop. This position will hide the strop when the door is open, and also provide the stability you need for stropping.
Hope this helps,
Ray
I don't think your razor is dull (maybe it is) but if memory serve my first WTG was terrible and ATG was even worse. I think its more you're not used to the strokes/angle/etc. Check for sharpness though, cus one thing I learned is if your edge isn't good say good bye to your chin w/a tg. It will come though.
You started out like me, honing is definately a learned skill. I tried to hone my first razor, it did not work out to well. As older members have told me learning the three basics is enough for you to learn at first. They are stropping, lather, shaving with the right technique. Don't give up. get a razor you know is sharp, one that has been profesionally sharpened and honed. Then learn the strop, strop the right way. Lots of videos in the wiki. Listen to the suggestions of the older guys. They are helping me to get closer to bbs they will help you to.
manonengine
It will come to you! takes time! Im also a beginner..im shaving for a month..and its getting better and better!