Thread: My first straight razor shave was an adventure...

Thank you all for your advice!

I should have made it clear that the razor was made "shave ready" and tested by the totally irreproachable folks at straight razor designs, so the probably is undoubtedly my poor stropping, shaving, and hanging-hair-testing technique. Although, I did test it with the HHT as soon as I got it to see whether I could get away without stropping it for the first time. It didn't cut the hair, so I figured I'd best strop it.

Is it possible that several cuts in the strop would make the razor need to be re-honed? If not, I'll wait for the cuts and scrapes to heal, practise stropping a little more, and go at it again in a few days. Or maybe I could try stropping it on the canvas? I really do think my technique improved and I might be able to do it now.

BeBerlin, thank you for the pointers. I'll try to remember to stop if I feel the pain It's a good reminder that like most good things, the perfect shave is a process happening over time with persistence and patience! Ursus, it's totally possible that I just don't know how to do the test. I hadn't considered that possibility. The blade is definitely sharper than a butter knife.. I look like I tried to cuddle with an angry badger! lol!

You got the razor from SRD? After reading your first post, I would've asked if it was truly "shave ready" when you first got it. Knowing it was from SRD, I have to think either your stropping or shaving technique is a bit off.

+1 to BeBerlin's advice. And I'd add to it Lynn's post "Anticipation."

I bought a Dovo from SRD and shaved with it twice without stropping. Of course, YMMV depending on a whole bunch of variables, but you should at least rely on the quality of the edge if you bought it from there. I didn't even bother to do any tests when I got mine, but that's just me.

Also, if you're using a really light touch you might be able to avoid a lot of nicks. Like BeBerlin said, "Don't force it."

Otherwise, welcome to SRP and straight shaving! Sounds like you've got a lot of enthusiasm. Study up on the wiki and before you know it the only thing you'll be cutting is whiskers. Good luck.

If the razor is from a reputable source, you take "it does not pass the HHT" out of the equation. None of my razors pass the HHT with my hair, either, because no amount of Dax will get the pomade out. Re-read the Wiki article to understand what the limitations of the HHT are (incidentally, I swear by it ever since Bart showed me how to do it properly).

Standard rules apply: if a beginner thinks it's the blade, it isn't. If a beginner thinks he's not used too much pressure, he has. And if a beginner thinks that the razor is still likely shave ready, it most certainly isn't. Lesson learnt by thousands of members here, so welcome to the club.

To answer your question, it is absolutely possible that either slicing the strop or using poor technique could have dulled your blade. But when you got it from SRD it was ready to go for sure... when you get your razors honed by the pros here, lots of these guys will tell you to just rinse the blade off the first time and shave without stropping because they have already taken the edge to perfection.

It may be worth your while to send it out for a touch up, then when you get it back just run some water over it and set it aside.

Take a nice hot shower and get your face ready with the hot water, really let the water soak in and open the pores. After that, get your lather going and take your time (treat yourself to great lather and you won't be cheapening the experience of a classic straight razor shave).

Once you have done all of that, now pick your razor back up and start going to work. Focusing on light but confident pressure, skin stretching, and your angles (but give yourself some slack if it isn't perfect right away).

I think your experience will be a much better one.

That's just my input, the stuff BeBerlin and others have said is spot on too... good luck!

Hi gitano,
I thorough enjoyed reading your post! Del1r1um's advise is spot on. I bet your stropping did not help matters. Don't frustrate yourself further-- send the blade in for a touch up, and while the razor is out for service, practise your lathering and prep skills. When you get the razor back, don't strop it, and try just shaving your cheek. Really focus on using zero pressure when you shave-- if you have a sharp blade and you have the angle correct, those little whisker buggers will just fall away.

Before you try to strop, seek out the stropping information on the wiki and also watch the videos. While you need decent speed while executing the stroke, you DON"T need speed when you change direction, so take that part extremely slow-- as that is where you will accidentally lift the spine and roll your edge...

Stick with it and you will be amply rewarded,

-Chief