Thread: Questions after my first two shaves

So I'm writing this less than 2 minutes after completing my second shave with a straight razor. Just a few days ago I went out and purchased a Dovo 5/8 Mother of Pearl along with a strop, and all my pre and after shaving creams.

Unfortunately I can't speak highly of the experience at all. I think this is all going to come down to the sharpness of the blade but please let me know if you think it is something else as you read through this. I purchased the blade from an Australian store called "Shaver Shop" and I don't believe they pre-honed it so that's what causes this suspicion. A honing block is the only tool I don't have right now.

Anyway, down to the shave.

I had a great relaxing shower to start off with, got out and started off with a Proraso pre-shaving cream. I got my razor out and gave it about 20 runs on the Strop.

Then I followed on applying a good lather (it even felt good) using an old-school shaving cream with my badger brush, this was kind of relaxing and probably the most calming part of the shave.

Then I got out the blade and away I went. Starting with my cheeks and then moving to my neck, followed by under my lip (don't do my chin as I keep somewhat of a goatee) and then moustache. I did my best to maintain a 30 degree angle all of the time, which I believe I did a good job of, but seemed to get quite a bit of friction on my face. Especially when I was doing above my chin and moustache, I found it hard to move the razor, even WTG and that resulted in a couple of small nicks, nothing big but still unwanted.

I was persistant enough to go for a second pass and it really didn't help anything, there are still spots that I either missed or just didn't seem to shave well at all.

What do you think would have been the main cause of this? Like I said before, I think I need a honing block. If anyone knows of a good place in Australia to get one of these, the information will be greatly appreciated.

Of course, if you think it's something else, please let me know. My face is now slightly red and stings quite a bit. I know, I know, I should have stopped while I was ahead but I thought the more practise the better.

Cheers in advance.
Todd

1 if its not listed as honed its not (i dont know the store)
30 degre angle isnt neccesarely what you think it is (ofcourse it may be)
if you havnt already you could try from flat to 45 degrees to find out
but if the razors not sharp it wont do any good

oh and experiments like these should only be tryed at the easy parts of your face

Yeah, it sounds like a couple things going on. First, the razor is probably not shave ready...I would send it out before torturing yourself again. Secondly, I would triple the amount of stropping you're doing, bump it up to about sixty. Lastly, thirty degrees doesn't look like thirty when you've got it on your face. Raise that razor up until you 'think' it's at 45 and I bet your shaves will improve.

Originally Posted by Sweeney

I don't believe they pre-honed

Well, if the seal on the box was intact they didn't. If the box was open they should be able to tell you whether anything was done to the razor between they broke the seal and handed it to you.

Originally Posted by Sweeney

What do you think would have been the main cause of this? Like I said before, I think I need a honing block. If anyone knows of a good place in Australia to get one of these, the information will be greatly appreciated.

I think the razor is dull. The only person I know in australia who can put an edge on a razor is Jimbo. We have more members from australia though, and I'm pretty sure there are others, but I've only shaved with a Jimbo-honed razor. Worth sending him a PM, and take a look through the member services section in the classifieds for others.

First off, Sweeny, welcome.

Secondly, I'd agree with Gugi, and your initial observation, sounds like the razor was not honed, or at least, not enough to be considered shave ready. A razor can be very sharp, compared to a kitchen knife, but still not be shave ready.

Id say, get the razor honed, and give it another go, then let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the advice guys. I have contacted a couple of members in the Members Services area to find out about their honing services. I think this is what it all boils down to the most.

In the mean time I think I'll stick to my safety razor. Also since the Merkur DE's are very cheap in Australia, maybe I should invest in one of those?

Originally Posted by Sweeney

Also since the Merkur DE's are very cheap in Australia, maybe I should invest in one of those?

The pro is you will get a good feeling for face preparation. The con is that DE shaving will not only not help in acquiring the skills required for straight shaving, it might even be detrimental, as the way a DE shaves is entirely different from a straight. I would still get one, though, as they are always nice to have. Make sure to order a selection of blades, as they can deliver quite different results (I like Merkur Platinum blades, but almost everyone else hates them...).

Originally Posted by red96ta

Yeah, it sounds like a couple things going on. First, the razor is probably not shave ready...I would send it out before torturing yourself again. Secondly, I would triple the amount of stropping you're doing, bump it up to about sixty.

Totally concur with this. Being sharp and being shave ready are two different things. Sending it out to one of our honemeisters is a great investment. $20-$25 will be cheap in the long run. Good stropping is essential. I do 20 laps on linen and 60 laps on leather. You should also be looking to get a pasted strop to do touchups to your edge. And, a barbers hone/Norton 4K/8K combo will be needed evetnually to refresh your edge when the pasted strop no longer provides that edge. And, lastly, facial prep is as important as the other things.

Remeber, it is not a race. Take your time and learn...

Sweeny,

From another Beginner... I've now completed 7 shaves.. so I'm no expert.. however this is the time when you are not taking anything for granted and using all the basics in order to get a comfortable shave.

Obviously your razor is not sharp enough... so ... what else...

The shower is great or a hot wash cloth warmed in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds or with hot water from the tap.. You might also try a pre shave oil or cream.. it seems to help the razor glide a bit and adds a little more cushion..don't forget to keep your skin taunt!! Also the lather can be kinda tricky I've found in the begining... too watery and it is not enough cushion... not enough water and it dries too quickly...I'd experiment with everything while you are waiting to get your razor honed and sharpened..

If you have access to another razor, especially a dull one... practice your stropping technique.. because once you get a sharp razor... keeping it sharp is the next trick and the strop is the key... go to the video's and instructions on wiki on SRP for great instruction.. I'm lucky to have gotten two shave ready razors...I ended up needing the second when I dulled the first with poor stropping... I found an old junk razor at an antique mall and have stropped more than a thousand strokes in the last two weeks so that I wouldn't repeat my mistakes. Practice on the canvas side (with your practice razor) in the begining if you have one so you don't nick the leather till you get the hang of it, or, use a wide leather belt that you won't mind a nick or two in..

I believe the key to getting the razor to glide over your face the way you want is 1. a sharp, sharp razor.. 2. a light, light touch.. never any pressure.. never.. never.. never 3. keeping your skin taunt.. and 4. using exactly the right angle... If you make sure that all these things are correct you will likely get the shave you want.. Just let the razor lightly glide over your face and do the work.. You'll then be surprised when you feel the smootheness.. Never force it.. If you automatically feel that you need to add pressure to get your razor to cut... It's dull.. when it's sharp you automatically feel you better not add any pressure or you'll cut yourself!!

I've been advised in the beginning to shave every other day.. It lets my face calm down a bit and the whiskers stand up a bit more. I tried every day for the first 3 shaves and every shave got progressively worse.. NOT bad, just not quite as good as the first... It's hard to tell which thing was going on.. but I think I dulled my razor.. got too confident... went too fast and added some pressure...

I hope this helps... knowing how some non-experts are struggling may give you some perspective...

Ask a lot of questions.. these guys here are very very helpful... good luck and have fun... I'll be waiting to see how your next shaves progress..

Maq

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I like Merkur Platinum blades, but almost everyone else hates them.

I like those blades a lot too. I think feathers are a little sharper, I can get more smooth shaves from the Merkur blade then a Feather. The Feather feels rough after only a couple shaves. The Merkur blades could go for many shaves.