Thread: Is it sharp enough?

So I have been having my first straight razor shaves, every night for the past week. My question is this, Is the blade proper sharp? The reason I ask is that I feel quite a bit of resistance when shaving ATG. When I force it, I get little micro cuts and some irritation. I am shaving with a brand new Dovo Prima Klang I purchased from straight razor designs. Their reputation seems to be solid and according to the website they do hone every razor to shave ready state before shipping. So could it be my technique (99% sure this is the case) or just a limitation of the straight razor technology. I do have an extremely thick beard with very very coarse hair. Anyone else in the same boat?

p.s. I do 60 laps before each shave. on the strop... not the football field. and am shaving with proraso shave cream.

Unless you dulled it by improper stropping, it is likely your technique.

Know that there will always be more resistance going ATG than WTG or XTG. Its just the nature of the pass. Restropping before ATG and using a good stroke (see my avatar) will reduce the resistance.

It also takes the face awhile to get used to straights, so if you are just starting out, you should probably just stick with WTG while your skin adjusts.

ATG should be done at a lower angle than other shaving directions. The spine should be closer to your skin during the ATG pass.

Only one week of shaves and ATG already
I think that would be the main reason for discomfort

Not everyone can shave ATG but you may be able to in time...
How far in the shave do you get without irritation so far?

Originally Posted by janivar123

Only one week of shaves and ATG already
I think that would be the main reason for discomfort

Not everyone can shave ATG but you may be able to in time...
How far in the shave do you get without irritation so far?

I have no problems with irritation until I try an ATG pass. I actually use the same strokes as I always did when I shaved with my mach 3. I start with the side burns and go across my face to my mouth with a downward stroke, then the other side of my face, then my neck from left to right, from the bottom of my neck upwards to the chinline, then my chin from bottom lip to lower chin, then my upper lip. This is the most comfortable way to shave that I have found, but it does leave some stubble on my neck and mustache area, as well as some parts of my face. Since my hair grows in all sorts of directions its actually an across the grain angle on my entire neck, and most of my face. But since its what my face has been used to I guess it produces the most comfort. I might stick with that until I become more proficient.


But in most everyone's opinion, I should be able to drop any nonsense about the razor being not supremely sharp.

Well so far you have no way of knowing
When you feel shaves are more consistent and you still suspect the blade its time to get your free honing
One week is plenty of time to need a touch up if it is your first experience with a straight
Next time expect a month or more and then...

So yes with beginner shave and stropping the razor may need a touchup
But you will probably not benifit from it before you have used it another week

Hmm ok this may not make sense but shave one more week then send it out
Unless your getting used to the blade as it is and get good shaves already....

Originally Posted by RaphaelLeite

... I feel quite a bit of resistance when shaving ATG....

I think this points out the most likely reason for your problems. In my opinion, resistance is expected when shaving WTG while you are reducing the length of your beard to skin level. After that, with every subsequent pass, the blade should be skipping over your beard, like rocks skipped across the water. If you feel resistance after the WTG pass, in all likelihood you have advanced too fast.

Starting WTG is a given. But, after WTG, you determine how far to advance. You don't have to advance in 90 degree increments.

If your XTG pass meets resistance, try WTG+45 degrees. Similarly, if your ATG pass meets resistance, decrease the angle of advance until the blade skips while shaving instead of ramming up against the whiskers and giving resistance.

My suspicion is that you need to shave something like XTG plus 45 degrees, after which your ATG pass will no longer meet resistance.

Originally Posted by RaphaelLeite

I have no problems with irritation until I try an ATG pass. .

I have been straight shaving with my Dovo's since September. I usually do 2 WTG passes sort of. I Find that this does a very good job, and I've been learning to hold the razor, where to give some extra stretch like over the moles and such. I also only use my right hand. Someday I may advance to xtg or atg, or even using both hands, but for now I really enjoy the shave, so why frack with it???

One think I've learned in self defense is that you must talor the technique to you, not talor you to the technique.

One step at a time.

You might want to try adding another XTG or XTG+45 degree pass. ATG will be tough if you have lots of hair left.

Personally, I would ignore the ATG pass altogether. Like me, you're new to this and it's not worth going ATG if it's too hard. No shame in trying ATG later on.

thanks for all the prompt responses fellas.

Cheers,
raphael