Thread: HELP!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by WineGuyD

Today I attempted my third SR shave and I still can't get the razor to glide or cut smoothly.

WineGuyD,
Since this is only your third shave, you're doing great. Your razor is as sharp as it can be so your focus needs to be on beard prep and shaving technique.

You've already received some great advice concerning beard prep. Consider also the use of hair conditioner, as it makes a huge difference for me. After you get out of the shower, apply some hair conditioner to your beard and rub it in well. Leave it on your face for a few minutes while you build your lather. After you're done building your lather, rinse the conditioner off your face before lathering up. You should find your beard is noticeably softer than your regular prep. If it doesn't feel softer, try using more conditioner and leaving it on your face a few minutes longer. (Changing your ritual to making über lather would accomplish that.)

Consider the use of a pre-shave oil or Proraso pre/post shave before applying your lather. Proraso pre/post shave has made as big an improvement in my beard prep as the use of hair conditioner. An aside: I started substituting Noxema cleansing cream for Proraso pre/post shave and I think I like it better. It does not have as strong a menthol fragrance as the Proraso, but it does as good a job for beard prep, is cheaper to purchase and is available in most drugstores and supermarkets.

My first few shaves felt quite similar to the experience you describe. As for improving your technique, reduce the angle of your blade each time you feel it pulling. In other words, if you wanted to slice your face open with your straight razor, you would hold it at a 90º angle (perpendicular) to your skin. Laying the side of your razor flat against your skin places it at a 0º angle. So whenever your feel your razor start to pull, move it closer toward a 0º angle until it stops pulling. This is especially important when shaving your chin.

Don't forget to stretch your skin! The angles of your chin will be especially challenging because you need to change the angle of the razor through even the shortest of strokes. Be creative in trying different ways to stretch your skin and you'll find your technique improving.

Lastly, trust your right brain. During each shave you get under your belt, think about the challenges the various parts of your face and beard present you with. Your right brain will come up with solutions to these problems and will lead your hands into new strokes and techniques for your face if you allow it. How? Just keep telling yourself "This is something I can do." And BELIEVE it!
Namaste,
Morty -_-

I'm also a noob and came from only using DE/SE handles 4 2yrs and wanted to upgrade my face smoothness (haha)...I would take it a step at a time as I also have been shaving with my str8 for a month or so now but am doing very well myself..but when I first started it took my a few weeks to get the confidence to tell the razor "no more kidding around...and shave me well" (haha)...so I built up my confidence one morning and held the razor they way I felt it would feel better..so I personally hold my razor with my thumb under the middle of the blade and my other fingers around the tang--works for me as I have thick medium hands and a 7/8 razor size..medium/larger size blade

Good Luck
pcdad

have you tried stretching the skin?
Also, give the lather time to work on your face and prepare the hairs for the shave

Definitely stretched the skin Jojingo and I think I gave the lather a good working into my skin.

As mentioned before, I'm going to re-evaluate my stropping technique and pay more attention to blade angle. These are the only two areas I can't be certain I got right.

Quick question. How do you know your blade is sharp? If you got it from a flea market, I would question its sharpness. Nice looking blade though.

Originally Posted by CraigJ

Quick question. How do you know your blade is sharp? If you got it from a flea market, I would question its sharpness. Nice looking blade though.

Sent it to Lynn for honing. These three shaves are the first shaves on it since getting it back from him.

Morty covered this, but when I began shaving with a straight, if I held the razor at what looked to me to be about a 30 degree angle, the blade wanted to either dig in or skip. I get the best shaves by holding the blade at what looks to be a 20 degree angle or less and just let the blade slide along my face with no pressure. Keep at it and you'll find what works best for you.

Regards,

Mark

Originally Posted by WineGuyD

Sent it to Lynn for honing. These three shaves are the first shaves on it since getting it back from him.

OK, Just tried fourth shave this morning and really tried to take into consideration all the valuable advice received on this thread. I think I can say with certainty that I've got the angle and pressure right yet the blade sticks, catches and drags like on 25 grit sandpaper. I did all the prep...hot washcloth wrap, Institute Karite shave soap, silvertip brush yet after each pass there was noticeable stubble as if the blade had different degrees of keenness at different points.

I know from all the accolades that Lynn is the grand honemeister but I have to wonder if it's possible he accidentally missed honing my blade(I know he receives so many daily) and sent it back thinking he worked on it.

I'm going to take the razor to the "Art of Shaving" shop near by and see if they can at least confirm the blade is shave ready.

Can anyone think of any glaring mistake i might be making, because I'm about to throw the towel in and just stick with my Mack 3!

Where in NJ are you? I will be leaving on vacation next week , but would love to see your razor. If Lynn sent it back to you, IT IS SHAVE READY. The man is anal about his honing and there is no way that one slipped by him. That being said, maybe I can help you out if time allows. there are so many variables that go into the quality of a straight shave , it is nerve racking till you actually do it for some time and get a feel for it.

Originally Posted by WineGuyD

OK, Just tried fourth shave this morning and really tried to take into consideration all the valuable advice received on this thread. I think I can say with certainty that I've got the angle and pressure right yet the blade sticks, catches and drags like on 25 grit sandpaper. I did all the prep...hot washcloth wrap, Institute Karite shave soap, silvertip brush yet after each pass there was noticeable stubble as if the blade had different degrees of keenness at different points.

I know from all the accolades that Lynn is the grand honemeister but I have to wonder if it's possible he accidentally missed honing my blade(I know he receives so many daily) and sent it back thinking he worked on it.

I'm going to take the razor to the "Art of Shaving" shop near by and see if they can at least confirm the blade is shave ready.

Can anyone think of any glaring mistake i might be making, because I'm about to throw the towel in and just stick with my Mack 3!

Many things could be going wrong here. Is it possible Lynn missed one? It does happen from time to time. But if you're only 4 shaves in it's more likely you rolled your edge.

BTW - I know there are more than a couple of members from Jersey. Perhaps if you contact one of them they may be willing to meet up and help you out. Check the members map.