Thread: Take Resposiblity

I just have to rant for a second. When I first started to use a straight my wife bought me one from AOS and I sent it to be sharpened as recommended on this site. My experience was less than optional to say the least my technique and prep was horrible. I posted questions and had them answered very quickly and accurately on what I might try to fix the problems.
Lately on this site when a person new to straights has a problem they do not seem to realize that THEY are the problem, and there is a learning curve it doesn't come overnight. They seem to blame the razor not being sharp enough even though it was honed by one of the many pros on this site. I find it funny even that Lynn is not immune from newbies suggesting that maybe he had a razor fall through the cracks. I do not have my razors sharpened by Lynn as of yet but will be sending my DD's to him next time they need it.

So how about if you are new to this great way of shaving try not to blame the razor when as a newbie 99.9% of the time it is YOU who are the problem not the razor. Take some personal responsibility for your actions and follow the WIKI and the videos provided there. Only shave your sideburns until you can do it without irritation then add more of your face to the shave. My 21 year old son has started with straights and he has followed the WIKI videos and is not having a problem so far. He has been shaving the right side of his face for two weeks now and asked this morning if I thought he could add his chin in next or the left side of his face. I recommended he add the left side of the face since it is the mirror of his right. That and the chin was the hardest part for me to learn.

Anyway that's my two cents and I'm out

As a noob myself I may get upset at a certain razor, but I agree with you every problem I've had has been my fault. Although I must say that occasionally this could be sought attention. As my blackberry has small buttons I won't go into details, but a psych prof I was talking to once related it to me.

Good post, I believe you are right, for the most part.
I experienced the stuff you describe myself 8 months ago.
However, I think you are a bit harsh on the newer ones amongst us.
Sure, reading the wiki, seeing the various videos, is all good advice. But you know what? it does not fullfill all the needs of all newcomers.
There is a difference between seeing, reading and feeling it.
I myself couldnt for the life of me believe that my razor, honed by Lynn, was sharp enough. I mistakenly compared it to my feather artist club, and IT did not feel as sharp as that at all.
As you will know, I was wrong, the razor was perfectly fine, I Just needed to learn proper techniques. I have since had several razors honed by Lynn and his Honemeister title is spot on
My point is, being new to this and eager to learn, the frustration of not obtaining a great shave sometimes needs to be vented. And luckily one can be told what to do, and what to expect right here on SRP!
What I take away from your post is that new straight shavers should do as much homework as possible, read the wiki and watch the many good videos available. I couldn't agree more.

I am just weighing in with a couple of thoughts. I don't mean to comment in reaction to the OP, but more as general thoughts that I believe apply to this topic.


1. We ALWAYS want people to do their homework... and most would benefit from doing more homework when starting a new aspect of SR shaving (be it beginning, starting with restoration, honing, etc.). Many questions are asked that would be quickly answered with a stroll through the wiki, or by searching the forums.

2. We never want to discourage people from asking questions. This is a great site, with the most knowledgeable and helpful group you'll find anywhere. If you can't get your head around something... feel free to post, or send someone a PM asking direct questions. I have benefited greatly by sending PMs to some of the giants of knowledge here.

3. Let it be known that the pro honemeisters will not let something slip through the cracks... I can say this because every honemeister I know gives the razors they work on some kind of shave test before ever sending it back. They know that you are trusting your face to them, and they reverence that trust. if you get a razor honed by one of the fellas and it isn't performing, rest assured that it is a technique thing, or you've messed with the edge by poor stropping etc.

Those are the thoughts I had while reading this post... FWIW

Dave

+1, I totally agree with Dave. I agree, people should do their homework, and anyone who wants to get the best out of their hobby should do the same, but I would hate anyone to feel like they cant ask questions.

Alot of the joy I get from this place is not what I get out of it, but helping others enjoy something I love. I love seeing friendships forged, jokes made and all the banter and fun that we have. Thats the best bit..!

So if you have a question, please ask it..!

Straight razor shaving is not painting by numbers. It is not making instant brownies in the microwave. The skills cannot be downloaded to your iPod. There is not app for practice; no cheat code for experience; no wiki for dexterity.

I agree that they should do their homework and that there is nothing like practice, practice, practice. but when you spend good money to start this and shaving should be dirt simple(it is with the dumbed down plastic gadgetry) I cant blame a guy for thinking that it is something other than himself, it was so easy before. They do not understand the many variables as well as the skill sets involved. That is why day in and day out, everyday, the good members of this forum take the time to walk the new guy through it, we have all been there.

Originally Posted by Stubear

+1, I totally agree with Dave. I agree, people should do their homework, and anyone who wants to get the best out of their hobby should do the same, but I would hate anyone to feel like they cant ask questions.

Alot of the joy I get from this place is not what I get out of it, but helping others enjoy something I love. I love seeing friendships forged, jokes made and all the banter and fun that we have. Thats the best bit..!

So if you have a question, please ask it..!

I whole heartily agree on asking questions my post wasnt meant as a flame on questions. The post was meant to point out that lately it seems people seem to blame the equipment i.e. razor rather than poor technique. I have learned sooo much from the more knowledgeable members here. Now if someone had purchased a razor off of eBay that hadnt been properly honed then yes it would be the razor, but when a razor is purchased here or SRD and sold as shave ready I would tend to believe it is the person not the razor.

I think thats a symptom of, as N2S says, people thinking "Its shaving, how hard can it be?" and then thinking it must be the kit when they dont get the results they were expecting.

Its like learning any new skill: It takes practice, but its great fun..!

+1 on the thoughts offered in the previous posts. What sticks in my craw, and thankfully it doesn't happen very often, is when a newcomer to the straight razor scene asks for help/advice here, which is offered by numerous SRP members. Then they proceed to either get into an online tete a' tete with those who offered the advice or decide to disregard it. Oh well, it takes all kinds to make a world--even a virtual world.

My own thoughts on this topic are that I beleive that many straight razor newcomers set their expectations way too high. Tey expect their expertly honed Dovo, TI, Wade & Butcher, etc. to remove all the whiskers from their face in one pass.

Here, I think it is important to remember that straight razor shaving is similar to de razor shaving. The goal is not the removal of every whisker on the first pass of the razor, but beard reduction until you have achieved a level of closeness/smoothness that suits your tastes. That's the way I've approached straight razor shaving. As a result, I've never been truly disapointed with a shave. Properly prepared instruments and a properly prepared face, plus good blade handling technique that goes WTG and XTG ought to result in an aceptable shave imho. If one wants to go the extra route, then try ATG for a really close shave or to handle those real problem areas of one's face.