Bad first shave...

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10-31-2009, 05:48 PM
freshmcgee

Bad first shave...

Over the summer, I bought a used razor for around 30$ off the classifieds here. I can't seem to find the ad now but I finally got a brush and a strop together so I could finally shave with the razor. When I bought the razor I was under the impression it was shave ready. That couldn't have been further from the truth. I had been reading up the past few days on proper technique and what correct shaving felt like and what incorrect shaving felt like.

The entire time it felt like I was ripping the hairs out of my face. I just attributed it to bad technique. I mean, why would anyone on the internet give me false information on stuff they're selling? Today it dawned on me to check if my razor was actually shave ready. So I looked up a few tests on how to check for sharpness. I tried to see if I could cut through a sheet of paper basically by flicking my wrist and letting the weight of the razor cut throught the paper. Half the time the razor didnt even cut and just bounced off the paper, but when it finally did cut, it only cut through an inch or two of paper. Then I tried the hanging hair test, which it failed miserably. It did eventually cut the hair, but only after I pulled on both ends.

I'm just frustrated because I was so excited to being using a straight razor. So where do I go from here? I think I am going to buy something like this: DOVO Straight Razors
But I am still unsure if when it says presharped it means that it is good to go.

Also, I can always take the razor I have now and send it out to have it professionally honed, except I have no idea where to go with that other than read up on it a little more on here.

Any help would really be appreciated.
10-31-2009, 05:57 PM
red96ta

Welcome to SRP!!!

I don't recommend using paper as a sharpness test...it will surely dull the blade.

Send it to be honed and work on your technique in the interim.

You can get a new $100 Dovo or you can have it honed for $20...either way is a winner. Classic Shaving is a reputable dealer and anything you get from them will be of top notch sharpness. Having said that, your first week or two of shaving with a straight is going to be kinda frustrating. Give it a bit of time and watch those angles.
10-31-2009, 06:02 PM
mbwhoosh

Welcome freshmcgee!

Sorry your fist experience wasn't better :(

Q: did you shave without stropping the first time you used the razor? Newbies starting out can make a razor dull by mis-stropping. If you get the razor re-honed be sure to shave without stropping the first time and pay attention to the sharpness of the blade. On the second shave strop and if you feel the blade feels dull you will know it was due to improper stropping and not the person who honed the razor.

It is impolite and ungentlemanley to call out a person in the open thank you for holding back your frustration. I would PM (private message) the member from whom you bought the razor from and explain what happened, not all razors sold in the classifieds are shave ready it says at the bottom of the post whether or not it is so double check to make sure of that first.

Cutting paper to test the sharpness of your razor can blunt/dull the edge so I don't reccomend that any more.

Also it is quite common for new shavers to report thier blade not shaving right when they get it. Str8t shaving takes time and skill to learn double check your angles (30 degrees or less) and watch some shaving videos. Give it a week or so to see any improvement though you may want to have it rehoned before you start. Check out the classifieds section under member services for honemiesters close to you. Patience is the biggest thing needed when learning to shave with a str8t check out the wiki for great info
10-31-2009, 06:16 PM
chilly48

couple of places to get the razor honed to perfection

Lynn Abrams
RupRazor.com
Classicshaving.com

I got a beginner combo, razor and strop, from RupRazor.com. The best thing about getting the razor professionally honed is...
Being able to focus on technique while shaving with a shave ready razor
stretching skin, blade angle, small smooth strokes, beard prep and stropping.
You will notice a difference after shaving. If you don't strop correctly, the razor won't shave correctly. focus on technique.

I just had my 4th shave this morning on both cheeks and i'm already improving. Try different angles, stretch different ways, hold the razor different ways. Hang in there Don't give up :beer2:
10-31-2009, 06:41 PM
treydampier

If you want to send it to me, I'll hone it free to get you started, you just cover shipping. I do not claim to be a Guru, but I can certainly make a razor shave ready if the blade is in good shape. If you get desperate, send me a PM and I will send you a personal razor that I use and you can learn with it.
Everyone here with experience did not start that way and there is a learning curve to straight shaving. THere was a previous member I sold a small wedge to which turned out to save his experience. THe places recommended for honing are as good as it gets, they just cost. This is why I recommend that new people start in the classifieds here because these online stores are super expensive and a good vintage razor is as good as any one commercially made razors today. Also, if you bought the razor recently form Classic shave ready, then its your technique most likely because they know what they are doing.
Good Luck and stay with it because once you get your technique shaving and stropping with the right razor, it will be comfortable and enjoyable.
10-31-2009, 07:20 PM
red96ta

Now THATS what makes SRP special:tu
10-31-2009, 09:38 PM
freshmcgee

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbwhoosh

Q: did you shave without stropping the first time you used the razor?.....Also it is quite common for new shavers to report thier blade not shaving right when they get it.

Yeh, I didn't strop before the first shave. Looking through a few youtube videos, the general consensus was that the hanging hair test was a good way to determine the sharpness of the blade, where just the weight of the hair should be enough to have it cut. When I tried this, I had to pull on both ends of the hair to get the razor to cut it. While this says something about the sharpness of the blade, that does not mean my technique is perfect either. For now I'll let my face heal up and figure out where to go from here.

treydampier - sent you a PM
10-31-2009, 10:23 PM
treydampier

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshmcgee

Yeh, I didn't strop before the first shave. Looking through a few youtube videos, the general consensus was that the hanging hair test was a good way to determine the sharpness of the blade, where just the weight of the hair should be enough to have it cut. When I tried this, I had to pull on both ends of the hair to get the razor to cut it. While this says something about the sharpness of the blade, that does not mean my technique is perfect either. For now I'll let my face heal up and figure out where to go from here.

treydampier - sent you a PM

Got Your PM.
The HHT is good but it is not full proof. Some razors pass it, but the shave isn't that great. I recommend that you get a paddle strop for starters. There is jemico on eBay that has a pasted side and leather side and it works great for a starter because its stiff and shorter. Its just not wide enough.
I'll await the razor and get you going.
Trey