Not sure if I'm doing this right!

I got a razor to start learning with, and sent it to be rehoned after I fussed with the edge a lot. Now after a couple of tries, I can get an OK shave WTG and then XTG on the flat hard area beneath my sideburns. It feels quite scratchy and it seems like I have to keep going back, to the point of irritation, to get the many hairs that are missed. It does sound like the "butter on toast" I was told of. On the fleshier parts of my face and neck, I am scratching and irritating a lot, but not really removing any hair.

Reading these forums I have guessed that either (a) I have dulled my blade, (b) I am not using proper angle or preparation, or (c) I am just not used to the feel of it. I don't think it's (c), since the pro videos I've seen show each pass removing a substantial amount of hair, whereas I feel like I'm fighting my face. With regard to (b) I have tried to vary the angle quite a bit, to little avail. As for (a), I believe it's possible, but I'm perplexed, since I've been stropping it quite carefully as advised online (or trying), and I have only used the razor a couple of times since I got it. This razor doesn't inspire fear of cutting when resting on my face, except of course when drawn across, which surprised me given warnings I had read about cutting, and made me think it might be dull.

I really wish someone with experience could look at my razor, tools, and techniques - I will try to consult a barber soon - to help me sort out all these variables. However, if anyone online has advice, it would be hugely appreciated.

I think what you are experiencing is normal after "a couple of tries." I was not fully comfortable shaving with a straight until "a couple of months."

If you got the razor honed by someone from SRP or one of the vendors here, you can rest assured it is shave ready. I fought with the same issues when I started and was convinced my blade was dull. In fact, it was my technique and unfortunately, this is probably the same case in your situation.

Stick with it. Make sure your face prep is very good and try to use less than a 30 degree angle as that helped me. Also, remember to use very, very light pressure when shaving. Almost imagine you are wiping the hairs off rather than trying to shave them off.

My advice is stick with it and you will get there....trust me.

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Originally Posted by lshir

Reading these forums I have guessed that either (a) I have dulled my blade, (b) I am not using proper angle or preparation, or (c) I am just not used to the feel of it. I don't think it's (c), since the pro videos I've seen show each pass removing a substantial amount of hair, whereas I feel like I'm fighting my face. With regard to (b) I have tried to vary the angle quite a bit, to little avail. As for (a), I believe it's possible, but I'm perplexed, since I've been stropping it quite carefully as advised online (or trying), and I have only used the razor a couple of times since I got it. This razor doesn't inspire fear of cutting when resting on my face, except of course when drawn across, which surprised me given warnings I had read about cutting, and made me think it might be dull.

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a) possible but not likely
b) This is going to be about 85% of your issue with the blade.
c) I only get about 20% of the hair on the first pass, 60% on the second, and 20% on the third pass

I say stick with it for a few more days and if you want someone to check out the blade, PM me and I'll take a look at it for you to make sure it's on the level.

Pressures and angles are your best ally and worst enemy. Getting them right provides a fanatastic shave, getting them wrong is pretty ugly. Additionally, face prep and stropping are just as crucial in achieving a close shave. Get comfortable with the angles and pressures. You can find lots to read in the wiki about them. Next is face prep. There is no magical formula for them. Just work at them. Ensure the cream/soap lather is of the consistency of whipped cream, not meringue or runny. When stropping speed is not critical, but technique is. Pay no attention to those movies where the barber/shaver whips that razor up and down the strop at the speed of sound. Those are the movies, afterall. Place just enough pressure on the blade to hold it flat on the strop, and no more.... :gl:

Thank you for all your helpful responses!

I tried again today, and for some reason it went much much better than before. I was able to get a pretty decent shave except on my jawline and chin. (I touched everything up with a safety razor after.) The only factor that might have been different was that I stropped a little bit more, and perhaps being more confident after reading your advice.

I still have a lot to learn, but I definitely feel more on the shaving side than suffering side, so I'll keep at it. Thanks again!

It's been a number of months already, and I certainly have gotten a lot better at this deal. However, I am still experiencing quite a bit of "fighting my face." I have tried playing around with my angles but haven't had much success. In many areas of my face I still see the hairs there even after going over multiple times, and the return attacks make my face irritated without taking too much of the remaining hair off. (My jawbone and underneath are naturally tricky, but I notice this even on some of the easier areas, like the middle of my cheek.)

Of course, it might just take loads of practice. I'm trying to see if there's something I can change, though, to make the experience better, so as not to spend tons of time laboring over all the hairs and ending up with a red face. Right now I am using a cheap convenience store shaving soap, and a cheap boar bristle brush. Could it be that these aren't lubricating my face well enough? Or, do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Hello Ishir,

As well as the light pressure and low angle have you tried stretching the skin in front of the blade? This can be a little intimidating at first but makes a huge difference to the shave quality.
Good luck Ryan

you might consider adding a location to your profile. I've been walking around looking for you to help you out but the world is a big place.

It sounds like you are doing everything right--and I've always found my neck to be the easiest spot to shave; as long as you pull the skin properly to avoid trying to shave around your jawbone!

Sounds like the blade just isn't cutting it, no pun intended, for your particular beard. Wasn't sure what kind of blade you are using, but I started with a simple $150 Dovo, well honed by Don, and had very few issues.

Good luck!!! And I quickly learned that PREP is of utmost importance! Now a few years later, my prep is the longest part of the shave. Have a good one and keep at it!

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

you might consider adding a location to your profile. I've been walking around looking for you to help you out but the world is a big place.

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Was that you walking down the block with the mug and brush?

:)

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Originally Posted by Snake

Was that you walking down the block with the mug and brush?

:)

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I thought I saw him too! I wanted to run outside and put money in his cup... he looked so forlorn.

@Edgeof40: I've been trying to keep the skin taught, but maybe I should try pulling in front more.

@Angeleyes: Maybe my stropping is causing problems? Maybe I should send the thing to be honed again? I am using a full-hollow, "The Artist," actually just like: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...co-artist.html I have noticed that my blade looks a little scummier than when I got it.

(@AFDavis11: I am in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and I'm sure things might be easier if someone could take a look in person.)

Any advice is welcome!

I have been doing this, shaving with a straight, for several months and have learned that each time I have trouble I can take it back to either a quick prep, using a razor that I had not stropped properly or most of all that I was not holding the skin on my face tight when I shave. I have nicked myself and each time I can tell you what I did wrong.

Have you tried shorter strokes on the hard areas? I've got a section of cheek and chin that worked out by stretching at the cheek bone and only shaving the 1/2 inch or so below my fingers and working the rest of the way down like that to keep the skin super tight and flat.

Hmmm..... my most recent attempts, keeping all this advice in mind, were still velcro-y and irritating (literally). My final, against-the-grain passes make it look passable; before, going with the grain left a lot of stuff behind. Of course, there are problems when you are using the scalpel like an axe. Oh, how frustrating...