Did I forget how to shave?

I am fairly new to straight razor shaving (maybe 20 shaves) and i just sent my razor away to be honed by a very reputable person. When i received my razor in the mail, i looked at it under a microscope to see how it compared to what it looked like before i sent it out. Basically, i wanted to see what a freshly honed shave ready razor looked like. It looked different for sure.

Today, i attempted to shave with it and it was horrible. My first pass was pretty bad and i missed a lot of spots. There was a fair amount of pulling and it wasn't very pleasant. The left half of my face was still FURRY after the shave. I mean big patches of two day stubble. After two more passes, i just said forget it and used my DE.

I have been out of practice for probably 2 months. Should i contact the person who honed my razor now, or should i attempt a few more shaves to see if it is user error first?

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Originally Posted by thecornerbooth

Should i contact the person who honed my razor now, or should i attempt a few more shaves to see if it is user error first?

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Exactly what i would do.
He is the only person can answer to your questions correctly.
We all could make guesses.
Ask has he taped the blade. This could give to you trouble.
when blade taped shaving angle changes a little.
gl.

If you did it for 20 shaves and then stopped for a couple months, I'd say that you're pretty much starting from scratch. Even after twenty shaves, you're not going to get the awesome shaves...close, yes, but your opinion of your shave quality will change after the first year and when you look back, your going to realize that your first couple months of shaving were pretty poor in comparison.

I say it's time to get back on track and only use a straight. Don't rely on anything else...go cold turkey to various cleanup methods. Having to rely solely on your straight will reduce your learning curve.

From what you describe it sounds pretty bad. Try some armhair shaving and see what happens then report back to us.

It definitely cuts arm hair, but i am not sure if it is sharp enough. I just remember my razor feeling like it was dangerously sharp. I felt like i really needed to pay attention or i would cut myself badly.

I am going to shave again tonight, but i am going to change up my prep by taking a very long shower, then using Kyle's prep. I am also going to change my shaving cream as well. I can't remember if i ever used that particular cream with my straight.

If the razor was shave ready and freshly honed, would the thumb test ruin the edge to the point where it wouldn't shave? I seem to remember doing the test in the past with no ill effects, but i think i probably only ever did the heel of the razor where i didn't shave with it anyway.

Just to put in my two cents... :soapbox:

I had a poor shave this morning with a razor that usually gives me an outstanding shave and I shouldn't need to hone it yet.

Half-way through my workday I'm realizing that I'm a little tired and not at the top of my game, so to speak.

I just think some days are better than others, and that applies to shaving as well. (No drinking :beer2:or any other extenuating circumstances!)

This happened a couple of weeks ago with another razor. I turned right around and shaved with it again, and got a much better shave. In the mornings before work I give myself as much time as I can but still some times this time frame isn't conducive for your best work with the razor.

So I'd give it another try and see how you fare next time.

Personally, I don't think you lose your ability to shave after a layoff. I could be wrong, but I think it's like riding a bicycle.

something you might try, if you find that the morning shave isnt always the best, if you have the luxury, postpone your shave till the evening before you go to bed, that way you can take more time to get it done, and also add time to your prep if needed. i work nights so i usually come home and grab a shower before heading to bed, when i shave then, i also feel much better when sleep, especially on these hotter than hades days like weve been haveing lately

I too have started straight razor shaving for about half a year and never really got a comfortable shave. I bought mine shave-ready from a very reputable dealer and even had him it rehone after a few months. Still, not a very good shave.

People told me it must either be my stropping technique that is at fault (rolling the blade) or poor shaving technique. I switched back to my DE and used it for a few months. At that point, I decided to purchase the Shavette to see if my shaving technique is at fault or if the blade is at fault. Well, after not using a SR for a few months, I quickly received a comfortable shave with the Shavette, comparable to my DE razor. Now I know it is my SR (Dovo Black Star) that is at fault. I just sent it out again for a rehoning.

For what my opinion is worth, you didn't forget how to shave because your razor is not sharp.

You mentioned the thumb test, do you mean thumb pad or thumbnail?

I decided i was going to try to shave with it one more time before i returned the razor for a re-hone to make sure that it wasn't user error. Although i am fairly new at straight razor shaving, by my fourth shave, i had seen a vast improvement from my first shave when i initially received my razor (after i purchased it last march). If i couldn't get a decent shave this time, i would be certain that the razor was dull.

I attempted to shave and it was very miserable. I stopped after one stroke and did 10 laps on CrOx to see what would happen. It improved the shave so i did 10 more. I wasn't quite happy, so i did 10 more laps. The overall shave was decent.

I have spoken with the person who honed my razor and they have offered to re-hone my razor. At this point, however, i am not sure if it makes sense to have the razor re-honed. If i can get a good shave, what would be the point in having the razor re-honed at this time?

As a newbie, i am pretty confused about when i need to have my razor honed and when i should use CrOx. I have heard that it is easy to use the CrOx too much, so i probably wasn't using it enough.

I purchased a second razor for comparison. Once i receive that razor, then i think i will be able to determine if it needs to be rehoned or not.