Thread: Frustration

Hi all,

I am new to the world of straight shaving. After months of thinking about it, I purchased one from whipped dog. The razor and the strop came. I read the pdf, the docs that came with the razor as well as browsed this site.

I've been shaving for about a month now. And I am so frustrated. I know it will take time. I know it takes patience. I admit I see and feel moments of progress.

Right now it takes me 3 or 4 passes and an hour of shaving to get ... somewhere. Razor burns. Minor cuts. A towel full of shaving cream and hair. A terrible shave. My face burns when I put on an after shave cream. Not a momentary burn- but one that lasts. And my face looks sort of shaven- but definitely not clean shaven. Nothing looks or feels smooth.

I am shaving at about a 30 degree angle. I am shaving in patches. I am shaving with the grain. I am not good at pulling my face. I have gotten steadily better with using both hands and actually feel as strong on my weak side as on my strong side. I am seeing more hair being removed, but my face remains ... terrible. My upper lip and chin look almost as furry as when I started - and I felt the shave and see hair on the blade and towel when done. I don't know what I am doing (I do shower or soak my face in a hot towel before starting each time).

I am glad that so many who are new to this get it right off the bat. I wish I were one of these.

I welcome any advice and words of wisdom. Please tell me I am not the only one who has struggled to learn this- and that it gets better.

First, do you have a strop? Tell us exactly what you're doing from pre- to post-shave as far as steps, preparation, if you're just going with-the-grain or doing anything else, etc.

Let us know whereabouts you're located geographically and you might even be able to attend a get together and meet some people to help out. Obviously there is a learning curve with all of this so don't get discouraged.

It does get better and the learning curve is different for different people.

Along with what was asked in the post above, What kind of pressure are you using. If the razor is properly shave ready and you are using at least a 30 degree angle your troubles could be partially due to using pressure while shaving. This is a hard thing to do when you are use to shaving with a disposable, no or almost no pressure should be used. Also try a smaller angle next shave, it may help.

Originally Posted by commiecat

First, do you have a strop? Tell us exactly what you're doing from pre- to post-shave as far as steps, preparation, if you're just going with-the-grain or doing anything else, etc.

Let us know whereabouts you're located geographically and you might even be able to attend a get together and meet some people to help out. Obviously there is a learning curve with all of this so don't get discouraged.

Ok. I have the 'poor man's strop' from whipped dog. It hangs in front of my sink on the door. Prior to my shave I either shower or put a hot towel on my face. If I use the towel, I wet it with hot water and hold it there for a minute, sometimes 2.

I then strop the razor 30 to 50 times. I run it so the spine faces forward (blade back), rotate on the spine and repeat. I keep the angle between 30 and 15. It passes the shave the arm hair test, easily.

I then put more water and moisten up my sideburns, put the cream on them.

I then shave slowly. I have my shaving arm at a 30 degree angle. I use my other arm to pull my face up. I move down my face in 1/4 inches at a time. I am slow and try to be firm and light. I then proceed to the cheek area. Then I do the jaw line. All with the grain.

In between each area, I wet the area, clean my blade on the towel, and proceed. I have learned that I have more control with the center and back of the blade, but I am not seeing the ultimate results (though I see this as progress as I get more hair this way).

I then do the neck. This is the area I actually do well in. At this point, I have the 'goatee' area.

I do the upper lip. I can't get the angle. I can't get my face to flatten well. I can get some of it done, but I miss so much. Under the lip I do a little better. Between that patch and the chin I do ok as well.

With the chin, I resort to going across the grain to get more removed.

The entire time I try to keep the angle at 30 degrees (I think that's the recommended angle). I take my time. I clean up when 'done'. I stop when I know I will really burn and hurt my face.

I put the razor down when done and hang my head in defeat.

Originally Posted by TSasser

It does get better and the learning curve is different for different people.

Along with what was asked in the post above, What kind of pressure are you using. If the razor is properly shave ready and you are using at least a 30 degree angle your troubles could be partially due to using pressure while shaving. This is a hard thing to do when you are use to shaving with a disposable, no or almost no pressure should be used. Also try a smaller angle next shave, it may help.

I admit to trying to use light pressure, but nothing gets removed if I do this. But then, more pressure doesn't always insure anything either.

You bring up a good point. My 'arm hair' test is always with zero pressure, and the hair just comes up easily.

I had a lot of trouble when I started too. I agree that it probably is extra pressure. I am still finding that I am reducing pressure.
Also don't be surprised if you dull your razor from stropping or shaving with improper technique.
You'll do fine, just take your time and enjoy.

-G

Originally Posted by Nadie

I then strop the razor 30 to 50 times. I run it so the spine faces forward (blade back), rotate on the spine and repeat. I keep the angle between 30 and 15. It passes the shave the arm hair test, easily.

If I am reading the above correctly, do not lift the spine of the razor while you are stropping. Be sure to keep the blade flat.

I am not familiar with the strop that you have, but if it has a fabric and a leather then try 25-30 laps on the fabric and then about 50 laps on the leather. 1 full lap is up and back.

Try watching some of the stropping videos and also some of the shaving videos.

As mentioned above keep the pressure very light it will help. Also try to lay the razor a bit more flat on your shaving stroke.

Good Luck and enjoy the journey.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I had a lot of trouble when I started too. I agree that it probably is extra pressure. I am still finding that I am reducing pressure.
Also don't be surprised if you dull your razor from stropping or shaving with improper technique.
You'll do fine, just take your time and enjoy.

-G

Thank you.

I have no plans of quitting. I just don't want to dread the experience.

First, 30 degree blade angle is a good starting point - one that I almost never shave at. I probably use more like between 15 and 20. When I am shaving with a full hollow I drop the angle even further. So I would start there.

Have you studied your whisker growth directions? WTG (north to south) is not WTG everywhere on my face - particularly on my neck where the whiskers grow east to west. So when I am making my WTG pass, when I get below the jawline I have to drop the angle even further.

Generally, your prep sounded Ok to me. I feel for you that you feel defeated by this. But you have the right spirit and I'm sure we can figure out what exactly is going on.

I think we might need to find an experienced member in your area that can help you. You might have to drive a bit - but I am willing to bet that with the dedication you have already shown, it won't be a problem. So I would put out another post asking for help in your area. If one exists I know the gentlemen here will help.

Originally Posted by Nadie

I then strop the razor 30 to 50 times. I run it so the spine faces forward (blade back), rotate on the spine and repeat. I keep the angle between 30 and 15.

What angle are you referring to here?

Ideally you'll want to get the cheek areas down pat first. If that spot is uncomfortable or not shaving properly then it'll probably just get worse as you maneuver around the goatee area.

Shaving is about reduction, not getting everything baby butt smooth with a single aggressive pass. Having to go over areas two or three times is quite normal and as your frustration subsides with experience, it's actually enjoyable to shave with multiple passes.

Definitely ease up on the pressure. If you're going lightly and not removing hair then you might try slightly adjusting the blade angle. After that then it might be your edge just dulling. Nothing good will come from increasing pressure.