Thread: Need assistance...shaving is "pulling" and not as comfortable as I had hoped for.

Greetings,

I have been a DE razor user for over a year and have a wonderful combo that gives me a wonderfully comfortable, close shave. I am not even aware that the blade is cutting the hair. It almost feels like I am pulling a blade-less razor across my face.

I am committed to single edge razor use and so far things are OK (6 right side face shaves to jaw and one left side), but it seems I can feel and hear each hair as it is being cut. I am using a 1/2 Shumate's Tonso vintage razor that was sold as honed and "shave ready" from a member of Badger and Blade. My shaving angle is less than 30 degrees. I am wondering....

a) what could I be doing wrong (in my searching it seems maybe a stropping issue but could it be sharpness...how could I tell)?

b) are well done single edge shaves as comfortable as well done DE shaves?

Thanks for your assistance. I have loved DE shaving but am really committed to learning single edge shaving.

the shumates i've had have been rather hollow, which means you do get a lot of feedback from cutting.
then i'm not sure how long it took you with the DE, but with a straight razor the learning curve is usually significant, so even if you have the perfect razor for you i doubt you'll imediately have the same experience that you're describing with a DE.
for how long have you had/used the razor?

I think a 4/8 razor may be too small for a newb . I think you would be better off starting with a 5/8 or 6/8 . It's easier to "fine tune" your angle with a wider razor . I have a few 4/8 razors , and I only use them to shave my upper and lower lip , and for final touch up .

I have been using the straight for a week, each day shaving my right side down to the jaw line. The razor is full hollow and I forgot reading about the feedback of the thinner blade which would account for some of what I am experiencing. Thanks for your reply.

Angle is absolutely critical when straight razor shaving. You
can be too shallow as well as too steep, so watch out for that.

The straight will have a different feel from the DE, partially
due to the difference in blade and also because the DE head
has more mass behind it which reduces the pulling sensation.

Lots of practice should help with your shaving, keep at it!

- Scott

IME with some razors I hear them cutting. Pulling is not something that I will get from what I call a shave ready razor though. I suppose that being an experienced DE shaver you are familiar with the multiple pass, gradual stubble removal technique ? IOW, I imagine you do not expect to do a down pass with your straight and to be bbs in one pass ?

Not saying it couldn't happen but if it doesn't I am not disappointed. I do a second ATG pass (on the cheek) and that gives me the bbs. YMMV. We all have different skin and whiskers. Different prep, razors and skill level. Eventually with the right stuff I guarantee you will get a shave equal to any you've had with any other method .... IME. again YMMV.

Wrong angle. Beard hairs not soft enough. well, could be a dull razor, but the first two were my problem.

Beard Prep. Skin Stretching. And Razor angle/pitch (30dg). Those three things need to be approached with the same attention given to a razor passing on your face.