Thread: Hello Everyone!

Just got my first razor from VintageBlades.
Great price for the set!

Did my first shave and loved it. Shaving wasnt too difficult, just takes some time. Fortunate to have a steady hand,

In some areas its really difficult to get a close shave. Specifically the neck area and the chin.

Had a few questions about dovo razors.
1. Do you strop before AND after a shave?
2. How often do you have hone these? (it came shave ready by vintage blades, who sharpens it for you)

Thanks.

BTW I love this site!

--
Bejon

Hi! Welcome along.

I strop before the shave, to prepare the blade for the shave, & after, for maintenance.
You should strop before each shave. After is personal choice, but a few laps over linen after a wipe over & you know the edge is dry.

Re honing times vary between steels & also stubble. It may be three months, it may be six. You just get it done/do it when you feel the edge is lacking a bit.

You may find you become obsessed, buy razor after razor & rarely need to re hone as you've got too many to use. That happened here once.

Bejon,

Welcome to the world of straight razors shaving!

To answer your questions (well, at least to respond to them).

1. I strop both before and after.
   
   After for a couple of reasons:
   
   • To be sure the edge of the blade is completely dry to prevent rust.
   • When I finish a job I like to have all my tools cleaned up and put away ready for use. I have an aversion to leaving things lying around that need work.
   
   
   Before because I hear so often that it is best to strop immediately before use, presumably to clean off any rust that may have developed since the last use.
   
   I do a full stropping after and a light touch-up stropping before each shave.
   .
2. How often you need to hone depends a great deal on the razor itself and on how well you treat it. Stainless will supposedly hold an edge longer. Cleanliness and good shaving and stropping techniques will keep the blade sharp for several months. As a beginner you may need to get a re-hone more often. I'm being deliberately vague.

You may find you become obsessed, buy razor after razor & rarely need to re hone as you've got too many to use. That happened here once. [/QUOTE]



Funny!!

Originally Posted by TexasBob

Stainless will supposedly hold an edge longer.

On the whole, we're on the same hymn sheet, but I'm not sure that's right. Although stainless can be more abrasion resistant, it isn't hardened to such a degree as the carbon blades. I don't think there's much in it TBH.

Welcome to SRP Bejon,

Here is a link to the SRP Wiki with tutorials and videos on all things related to straight razor shaving. The more difficult areas to shave become easier as time goes on as preparation, skin stretching and blade angle are learned and improved. You are off to a great start.

i always have my razor stroped and ready before i shave....do i strop right after i shave no i just cllean, dry and put everything away and then when i dont have anything to do for a while thats when i strop my razors.. i have not had mine honed yet, im still pretty new to this as well. like was said earlier it all depends on if you destroy the edge by improper stroping, letting the blade bite the leather, hitting the edge against something other than whiskers and so on.....just take your time you should be good for a little at least

Originally Posted by ben.mid

On the whole, we're on the same hymn sheet, but I'm not sure that's right. Although stainless can be more abrasion resistant, it isn't hardened to such a degree as the carbon blades. I don't think there's much in it TBH.

That's why I threw in the "supposedly" -- I've heard it but didn't buy into it 100%.

Thanks for the great advice.

I have a dovo carbon steel. I had read that a carbon steel is harder, and keeps its edge longer then the other steels. But there are too many factors involved to use it as a standard.

I'm working on getting a closer shave, and think I probably need to invest in accessories. I tried to do a "closer" shave on the left side and just irritated my skin! WIKI Page is great btw!

Probably invest in some pre-shave oil, and maybe a better aftershave cream then the Nivea for men, that I have for right now.

The DovoI love the razor, looks and feels great. Wanted something that looks cooler, like the mastro livi, but will wait till i finish grad school and become better in the art of shaving before vesting that kind of money!

I'm excited, can't wait till sunday, when I'll have the time needed to shave again. Pre NFL Sunday Shave!

Personally I wouldn't bother with the pre-shave oil, but that's me. I'd be happy enough with the Nivea Aftershave Balm too as I rate it very highly, especially the Sensitive balm.

Don't think that using more pressure will result in a closer shave, this is almost certainly what caused the skin irritation. You'll get a closer shave by reducing the hair with each stroke, not by pressing harder with the razor.

Dovo make some excellent razors, you made a good choice getting one for your first razor.