Might need help

Dear SRP members, let me introduce myself first, I am Eric from Nebraska and I have been a long time lurker. I will explain my situation in hopes that someone can help me. I bought a Dovo 140 about 6 years ago, identical to Dovo Red Bone - Straight Razor Place Classifieds this except mine has green colored scales, and have never gotten around to using it until about 3 weeks ago. I cleaned the oil off of it and well being a Mechanical Engineer I decided to look at the edge under my microscope. With low magnification I could see all the hone marks from the factory and with higher magnification (400x) the edge looked like a handsaw. So I stropped it 40x on the canvas side and 60x on the leather side. It looked much better now under the microscope so I tried to shave with it.

I used hot water on my face then used my dads Old Spice brand soap and brush, probably 30 years old or so. I put a nice wet lather on and then put a towel around my face that came right out of the microwave. I sit until towel cools and re-lather up. I start my shave at my dominant sideburn and it pulls, so I try to lessen my angle of attack and it seems to help some but I still get a lot of tugging and stopping, so I decide more pressure isn't a good thing. I then change my angle to almost nothing and it glides over a bit better but leaves a lot whiskers.

I have been using my trusty OLD Gilette double edge razor which works but in some places it feels like I've shaved with a cheese grater.

I know it takes time and I haven't given up on the Dovo yet, but I do have some questions.
1. Do I need to get this honed first, even though according to Dovo they are shave ready?
2. I am in a wheelchair and shave sitting down, and all my life I've never shaved in a mirror, now I'm finding it very hard to shave using a mirror, anyone have any recommendations on a better way to shave in the mirror by not blocking your view with your arms or hands while shaving?
3. I am pretty sure I'm stropping right as I've watched a lot of the videos and such but is there a tell-tell way to know? Is it possible to put something on the edge which will be "stropped off"?
4. How smooth do straight razors' blade's look under magnification?

Hope you all don't tire of the noob questions and I appreciate any and all help even criticism is helpful if it will get me to a better shave.
Thanks
Eric

Welcome to SRP Eric. Chances are having your Dovo pro honed will make a positive difference. Since you've been shaving with a DE you know something about wet shaving. Some guys shave with both hands. I shave with my dominant right hand looking in a mirror. As you progress, if your experience is anything like mine, you will find that you'll be able to use the mirror and see all that you need to see to get a good straight razor shave.

Learning the blade angle, direction of attack and strokes takes time along with mapping your beard and skin stretching, but it all comes with time and practice. The same can be said for stropping. It is a matter of careful practice and repetition. Take it slow and speed will come as you become more proficient. Send the Dovo out and I think you'll find your shaving experience will improve a lot. :gl:

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Originally Posted by impalacustom

I bought a Dovo 140 about 6 years ago, identical to Dovo Red Bone - Straight Razor Place Classifieds this except mine has green colored scales, and have never gotten around to using it until about 3 weeks ago.

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Eric: I am willing to bet the 6 years ago, is the problem... Dovo and TI only recently started stepping up their game with the factory sharpening, and even that has much to be desired...

I agree with Jimmy get it honed and enjoy....

As per the mirror, just play around and see what works for you. I think everyone struggled with their elbows and forearms blocking their view for awhile.

Hi Eric


One useful way to figure out if your razor is sharp enough:

rinse off the oil, then move your razor through the hair on your arm or leg without touching the skin... keep a few millimeters distance.

if it pops the hair off and you can feel the resistance of the hair then you should be able to shave with it.

Welcome to SRP and congratulations on starting to post!

At 400x magnification most blades are going to look a bit rough. I usually use 40x and 100x and have been pretty satisfied that if the edge looks ok at 100 it's probably ok.

BTW, I agree with everyone else that a pro honed blade would be advisable. It's really best to start out with a blade that has been made shave ready by someon who knows what they are doing.

Eric, I have the same razor. It is the one I use most often. I check the blade from time to time on a stereomicroscrope and never go over 35x. Never go under it either for that matter. I can tell if the razor is shave ready by just touching the edge but it is still enlightening from time to time to use the scope. The point being I have a small ding about a quarter of the way from the heel. It looks wicked at 35x but shaves like a killer just the same. So, 35x will tell you how consistent the edge is and you will be surprised how well a blade can shave even with some small imperfections.

Don't give up and you will be well rewarded. BTW, you may want to get one of those telescoping mirrors to get it closer to your face. Good luck.

One thing I do, because I like to trim my sideburns relatively high, is I use my right hand to trim my left side burns, and visa versa. I reach over my head, and do a down stroke. It's literally the only way I can see to be precise while trimming that area. Incidentally, that's the only area that I have any trouble seeing.

One thing you might want to consider is practicing with a butter knife to get the angles down. It won't take you long, but since you aren't used to it, your brain will take a bit of training to translate how you want the razor to move relative to what you're seeing in the mirror.

Welcome to SRP :gl:

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I start my shave at my dominant sideburn and it pulls, so I try to lessen my angle of attack and it seems to help some but I still get a lot of tugging and stopping, so I decide more pressure isn't a good thing. I then change my angle to almost nothing and it glides over a bit better but leaves a lot whiskers.

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I know the symptoms from my own razors:

. . . The razor isn't sharp enough.

Have it honed.

One good definition of "shave-ready" (from this site, somewhere) is:

. . . A new double-edge blade is 'shave-ready'.

Take a look at a double-edge blade under your microscope, and compare it to your Dovo. [And please report back -- I'd like to know what you find.]

Charles

Thank you all greatly for the responses. I will send the razor out and have it honed. I will take some pictures of the blade under the microscope and share them here if anyone is interested. I think the idea of a butter knife is a really good one and am also going to give that a try.

I will post a follow up after it is honed and again thank you all for your encouragement and ideas.
Eric

When you check the edge under the microscope, 25x -35x is all you will need. Happy shaving.