Thread: New SR: doesn't seem sharp enough?

I purchased my second new razor that was honed by Lynn. I thought I would give it a go with no stropping. It did not cut well. It seemed to pull slightly and was not to comfortable. I then gave it a good propper stropping and it shaved like a hot knife through butter.

I went through the same thing as you when I starts some months ago. i cursed the the blade and blamed everything but my own hand. I ended up buyign a stone, trashing a new dovo, cutting the living S**T out of my self. I took a week off (let my pride and face heal) and read tons of SRP WIKI. I then rehoned my blade and then started shving at night so I hand no rushing. I had all the time in the world and time to truely look at my angle, my beard direction, and preshave rituals.

Stick with it! it will all pay off and (at least for me) I felt I grew a little myself. Good luck and and happy shaving!!

Of course thats just my 2 cents and thats about what its worth

Hey Jeff 47. +1 on all the advice. I really dont think it was the honing. What does your pre-shave prep consist of ? This was not mentioned earlier. 1. Did you shower right before your shave? 2. Did you use a hot towel? 3. Did you use a pre-shave oil? 4. What type of shave soap, cream do you use? 4. Did you use a brush to lather? 5. After lathering, did you use a hot towel over the fresh lather, and then re-lather? The addition of these pre-shave preps, or steps have greatly improved my shaves. Also, your face has to get used to your new shaving routine. I was using a DE razor before I started str8 shaving, your face needs time to adjust. one more thing, do not neglect your post-shave procedures as well. What are your pre, and post-shave preps consist of? If you care to share them? Stick with this, it will come. Goodluck.

Jeff, you are exactly in the place I was 2 months ago. I had to check the name of the poster of this thread because it was exactly what I had experienced. I'll tell you for me it was the Indian not the arrow.
Patience, practice and belief in your ability to improve, that is all you need.
The 2 razors I had honed by Lynn are much better shavers today than they were 2 months ago. The only thing that is different is the experience of the guy in the mirror.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and encouragement. I'm really blown away by the response in such a short time!

I had a much better experience today: First, I had shaved the night before so I had less stubble to attack. I carefully stropped the razor, and really focused on the angle. It worked much better. One thing that feels weird is that as I'm tightening the skin around my sideburns, my shaving hand blocks my view of the mirror.

Preshave: Shower, then Edwin Jagger cream with my best Rooney brush. I left the lather on my face while I stropped. I do have shave oil - I'll try that next time.

Post-shave was Burt's Bees. I also sometimes use Tend Skin.

STRAIGHTRAZOR13: I didn't think of the hot towel as I relathered - that's a good idea and I'll try that. Also, my water isn't *super* hot. I'd really rather not turn up the water heater just for shaving and pay for it 365 days a year.

One annoyance I have is a very small bathroom with no counter. It's hard to get everything balanced 'just right' on the sink.

Of course, it still seems very awkward and I'm looking forward especially to seeing the results on my neck, when I get to that point. That's always been my problem area and I am rarely satisfied with my shave there, whether I'm using the Mach 3000 or a DE.

A question: I was taught with a DE to never wipe the blade to dry it, as it would dull it. I was a little surprised to see Lynn wiping the blade dry during his shave. Is this concern not a significant one for a SR?

From what I understand, DE blades often have coatings on them that make them sharp/smooth. Wiping DE blades can remove the coating and mess up the blade.

A straight should be wiped dry to prevent rust/corrosion. I usually do a brief strop on linen as well to help dry the edge

Originally Posted by jeff47

STRAIGHTRAZOR13: I didn't think of the hot towel as I relathered - that's a good idea and I'll try that. Also, my water isn't *super* hot. I'd really rather not turn up the water heater just for shaving and pay for it 365 days a year.

One annoyance I have is a very small bathroom with no counter. It's hard to get everything balanced 'just right' on the sink.

Of course, it still seems very awkward and I'm looking forward especially to seeing the results on my neck, when I get to that point. That's always been my problem area and I am rarely satisfied with my shave there, whether I'm using the Mach 3000 or a DE.

Glad to hear your shave was better. If you are worried about the water bill or electric bill going up there is always Cold Water Shaving.

Other than that the water does not have to be Super Hot. Warm water out of the tap is more than enough for a good shave.

Originally Posted by jeff47

A question: I was taught with a DE to never wipe the blade to dry it, as it would dull it. I was a little surprised to see Lynn wiping the blade dry during his shave. Is this concern not a significant one for a SR?

DE's, as stated by Jimmyfingers, have a coating placed on them from the manufacturer to help in the shaving process for the razor.

Straights do not have this coating and there for need to be dried so the metal they are made of does not corrode/rust. A swipe with some TP or a tissue should be good, just make sure you don't get the scales wet. You can then let them dry in the open position before putting away.

I dip mine in rubbing alcohol to help displace the water from rinsing and coat it with some Mineral Oil after it dries for about an hour.