Having a rough go

Only about 10 shaves in using my straight razor. My fiance bought me a razor from art of shaving (would not have been my first choice) and it claims to be shave ready however I am having a tough time. My first thought is that it is my stropping technique. I am making sure to keep it as taught as possible. Doing about ~50 passes (sharp end trailing) in the usual X pattern on a 2" wide strop. Should I be holding the blade as flat as it can get? Every time I do this I tend to think the end of the blade isn't getting much contact with the strop. I am currently in the market for a second blade to either buy sharpened by someone who knows honing so I have a comparison. I've watched several videos on the physical technique of shaving and done extensive work on my beard prep which makes me think the nics are do to the blade not being sharp more than anything?? just not sure. need some help!! as a side note I am already feeling some side effects of RAD.

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Originally Posted by clymbhigh7

Only about 10 shaves in using my straight razor. My fiance bought me a razor from art of shaving (would not have been my first choice) and it claims to be shave ready however I am having a tough time. My first thought is that it is my stropping technique. I am making sure to keep it as taught as possible. Doing about ~50 passes (sharp end trailing) in the usual X pattern on a 2" wide strop. Should I be holding the blade as flat as it can get? Every time I do this I tend to think the end of the blade isn't getting much contact with the strop. I am currently in the market for a second blade to either buy sharpened by someone who knows honing so I have a comparison. I've watched several videos on the physical technique of shaving and done extensive work on my beard prep which makes me think the nics are do to the blade not being sharp more than anything?? just not sure. need some help!! as a side note I am already feeling some side effects of RAD.

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look in the classifieds section forhoning service or for shave ready razors to buy

Welcome to SRP. As mainaman said a true shave ready razor would be a good start. If you haven't checked out the SRP Wiki here give it a look. Lots of tutorials on honing and shaving in there. :gl:

i will send off my blades to be sharpened so i don't murder them early on. i don't know of anyone in my area that sharpens razor blades so until I have someone over my shoulder i'll avoid honing. that or buy a dirt cheap blade to play with and learn myself, either way

Hello, Clymbhigh7:

Welcome to SRP. Yes, of course, do plenty of research at SRP. The classified section also has an excellent range of razors for you to purchase. If you prefer a new razor, I suggest turning to the commercial vendors listed at SRP. Make sure the razor you buy is professionally sharpened.

As for your current razor, yes, I would definitely send it out to be honed. Might as well have a sweet start with a professionally-sharpened razor. Again, the vendors listed at SRP offer professional honing services.

In my view, the most important consideration for the newcomer is to concentrate on honing his or her skills with a sharp razor first before moving on to honing, restoration and other fun things.

Enjoy the learning process, for the discovery is half the pleasure of the straight razor world. Good luck.

Regards,

Obie

I'm new as well, about 2 months in. Sorry to hear you're having a rough go. I agree with the earlier posts, make sure you're razor is shave-ready.
I've bought three razors out of the classifieds here on SRP - all shave-ready. I think that's part of my good luck so far... very smooth shavers, all of them. I can recommend Sham (hi_bud_gl) on this site - he is a respected honemeister and I believe he lists his services in the classifieds. He also gave me some good advice - "Pressure is enemy of straight razor. Use as little pressure as possible, if your razor shave-ready it should cut hair without any force". I apply this to sropping as well, I find I get the best effect with the lightest touch.

Lastly, if you haven't already seen it, check out
(Internet Archive: Free Download: Shaving made easy; what the man who shaves ought to know ..)
It's a little book published in 1905 available online and refreshingly simple! After reading forums, wikis and stickys for hours you start to get the impression shaving with a straight is the most complex thing you will ever not master!!

Good luck!
-D

Art of Shaving said that your blade was shave ready? Something doesn't quite sound right there...if I'm not mistaken, they don't sell shave ready razors, they sell them with the factory edge. Sooo...you may consider sending it in to be honed while you shave with a fresh one from the classifieds. Your razor should always lay absolutely flat on your strop.

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Originally Posted by clymbhigh7

i will send off my blades to be sharpened so i don't murder them early on. i don't know of anyone in my area that sharpens razor blades so until I have someone over my shoulder i'll avoid honing. that or buy a dirt cheap blade to play with and learn myself, either way

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Excellent idea. A great investment. Unless your damage your edge (dinging on the faucet, etc..) you will not have to do any major work on it for a very long time. Having said that you will still need to get a paste strop (paddle works best but a hanging one is fine) and hone of some type to refresh your edge. A barbers hone is a good investment, but I have a 4K/8K that works fine for me.

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Originally Posted by red96ta

Your razor should always lay absolutely flat on your strop.

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+1. Lifting the spine off the strop will ruin your edge and you'll need to rehone. Also need to keep the strop pretty taunt as well.

When you have a nice honed edge, you'll hear a "rasping" sound when you strop.

-Chief