Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Central new jersey, USA
    Posts
    728
    Thanked: 240

    Default Need advice on what I'm doing wrong

    Okay so I started shaving with a straight about two weeks ago. Bought my first razor a TI silver steel full hollow 5/8. Straight from a website not honed I got it and couldn't resist shaving with it so I did once then logic kicked in and I sent it off to Lynn for sharpening... While it was out I "had" to buy another razor to fill in until I got the TI back. I bought a Dovo 5/8 full hollow French point from a different site this one came honed by none other then Lynn. I then was compelled to buy one more razor a swedish Rex NOS from holli4pirating. Both the dovo and Rex gave me better shaves then I felt I had anyright to expect being new... Little trouble with chin/upper lip which led to too many passes=razor burn but I was still pleased. Then on Saturday I received my TI back from being honed. Needless to say I couldn't wait for my whiskers to grow long enough to chop then off with my prodigal son razor (it was gone but then it came back). Finally come Sunday night I decided they were long enough for an easy shave. Well the TI worked okay for the cheeks, but seemed to do nothing anywhere else. I ended up having to grab the Dovo and finishing with it. Since I was in essence doing two shaves on top of one another I had to quit before getting a prefect shave as the burn was getting to be a little much. So basically I want to know what I am doing wrong... I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression I'm not saying the TI isn't sharp, it obviously is I've read enough here to know Lynn is more then reliable and since my Dovo was also sharpened by him I have evidence of it myself. So obviously I'm doing something wrong. The two razors are the same grind and size and I can't imagine what I am doing different. The tang on the TI is significantly bigger/heavier but I don't think I'm holding it any different... I'm going to try again next time but I'm looking for any pointers on what I should do differently. As it was the first shave with both razors I did not strop before using as per instructions. I'm also not super confident that my lather is perfect it's worked so far but I'm sure could be better. As for prep, took a hot shower and wrapped hot/damp towel around my face while I built up my lather. So to wrap up why is my TI not working as well as my Dovo both of which are honed by Lynn and both of which are 5/8 full hollows?

    Thanks for your help

    ps this was posted via my phone so please disregard any typos

  2. #2
    Damn hedgehog Sailor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    SW Finland
    Posts
    3,081
    Thanked: 1806

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thehekler View Post
    Well the TI worked okay for the cheeks, but seemed to do nothing anywhere else. I ended up having to grab the Dovo and finishing with it. Since I was in essence doing two shaves on top of one another I had to quit before getting a prefect shave as the burn was getting to be a little much. So basically I want to know what I am doing wrong
    ...

    As it was the first shave with both razors I did not strop before using as per instructions. I'm also not super confident that my lather is perfect it's worked so far but I'm sure could be better.
    Hi,

    If you are relatively new to straight shaving, you probably cannot reach a perfect shaves from the beginning. It takes some time and practice until you learn how your razors work.
    Good shave isn't just about razor, but also about the lather and your skills and experience. Take your time to practice and you get better results. Little by little.
    To your question i would say, as in my opinion, that if you can get good results in your cheeks but not elsewhere, then at least part of it comes from your technique.
    Stropping might also help although there are some who do not strop their freshly honed razors. I always strop mine. Remember also that learning to strop properly takes some practice as well.
    Better luck with your next shaves.
    'That is what i do. I drink and i know things'
    -Tyrion Lannister.

  3. #3
    Large Member ben.mid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire, England
    Posts
    3,096
    Thanked: 763

    Default

    I can't answer for sure, but as you get relatively decent shaves from the two you already have, it is a bit mysterious.
    Usually I'd say immediately, it's you. You're in need of practise, but it is strange that the shaves from the other two are ok.
    Have you stropped it? Could be that you have rounded the edge slightly?
    From your experience with your Dovo, you know that Lynn knows his stuff. He hones more razors than I can even imagine. It could be that there lies the issue. No disrespect to our esteemed leader! It's just that the only other thing I can think of is that he is only human. Could be that one slipped through that isn't quite up to his standard. It surely has to happen one day?
    May be worth you using the two you have till you have developed greater skills. In a couple of months, try the blade again & see if things have improved. Not ideal, but I just keep thinking, it can't be the honing!

  4. #4
    Still learning markevens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1,043
    Thanked: 240

    Default

    I've been at is 2 months now, and the lip and chin still give me a hard time. They get a little easier with each shave, but the cheeks are a cake walk in comparison.

  5. #5
    Predictably Unpredictiable Mvcrash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Northern NJ
    Posts
    3,588
    Thanked: 1487

    Default

    I had the same issue. It takes time to get your technique to the point where you do it the same way each time. Keep at it, things eventually fall into place.
    “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
    Albert Einstein

  6. #6
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,947
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default The Shave Test !!!!

    What does it even mean???

    Starting at the Sideburn line on a properly prepped beard, using your dominant hand, you should be able to use the razor with one WTG stroke to smoothly shave to the Jawline...The SR should remove the hair, it might not be BBS, but you should feel smooth WTG to the touch

    The razor should not skip or pull, assuming you do two things correctly, one you have to use at least close to the proper angle, two you must shave with a confident hand...

    Everything else is practice and technique...

    Each razor can have it's own personality too, I have about 80 razors in my personal collection most are what most people would consider pretty close to the same, they pretty much fall into the 5/8-6/8 full hollow grind category, and some shave me way differently than others... Some are effortless, and others require a different touch and much thought... oh yeah, this is after 29 years

    We have always said this is a fun hobby LOL

  7. #7
    Information Regurgitator TheBaron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    578
    Thanked: 171

    Default

    shot in the dark but when I have someone from this site hone my razors I don't strop for the first shave with it. If you stropped in your prep it could be inconsistent stropping undoing the hone work.

    Then again each razor has it's own personality as Glen described.

  8. #8
    Senior Member jeffegg2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    735
    Thanked: 104

    Default

    Are you converting over from a Double Edge razor? When learning the DE, I used to get razor burn all the time at first, until I learned not to press down.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Central new jersey, USA
    Posts
    728
    Thanked: 240

    Default

    Thanks for all the useful advice. To clarify as per the instructions I did not strop the razor after getting it. I simply rinsed off the oil that was applied to protect it and attempted to shave. I did strop it after my shave so any new problems I have with it are entirely my fault. Lynn has already made a more then generous offer to look at it again and I plan to take him up on the offer if I cannot figure it out over the next couple attempts. I know it's unreasonable but I was looking for a magic answer, something that I was obviously missing but would appear obvious to a more experianced str8 shaver. I know it's hard to pinpoint what I am doing wrong through a post but thank you all for the help.

  10. #10
    Indisposed
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    6,038
    Thanked: 1195

    Default

    Maybe it is the equipment and not the operator......

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •