Shaving with a cheese grater

I've just had my second straight razor shave, I feel like I've been shaving with a cheese grater. Judging by the results I might as well have done!!.... oh dear......

OK, it's probably my fault - I purchased a new DOVO special after a bit of research - however, it wasn't sold as shave ready, and now I'm wondering what to do in order to make it so. I know the answer is to "send it to a specialist" to have it made shave ready but I'm on a very tight budget so that's not an option right now. And I live in the middle of France. I also have a leather/ canvas hanging strop and 2 cubes of paste (red/ blue foil) - I carefully stropped the razor on the bare canvas (50 times) and then on the bare leather (50 times) which made the second shave better than the first, or was that 'experience'?! There's no indication if or where to use the pastes, so I've left them well alone......

Maybe the cheese grater effect is normal for newbies?.....

If it wasn't sold as shave ready the chances are that it isn't.

Technique will play it's part but you do need to start with a shave ready edge. If you want me to I'll hone her up for you gratis? just drop me a PM if you're interested. I'm in London so it won't spend ages with the mail either...!

Apart from a shave ready edge the stropping, lather and pre shave prep will all also have a big impact. Make sure you don't skimp on things like good quality lather and hot towels as these are crucial to getting the best possible shave.

I wouldn't use the pastes as they work well for touch ups but they won't make a dull blade shave ready. You should also apply them to a second pasted strop and leave your daily strop clean. You can make a pasted strop from a piece of balsa wood, just lap it flat and apply the paste. They're good for touch ups and finishing the honing process, but as I say, they won't make a dull blade shave ready.

Shave readiness is the first thing to get sorted, then focus on your stropping and shaving prep.

Good luck and keep us posted! :)

Nothing to add to Stu's post but ...Welcome to SRP :)

Welcome to SRP! I'd take Stu up on his offer. I know what it's like to be "budget conscious" (read poor), and that's a great offer that will pay dividends down the road.

Peace,

I would take Stu up on his gracious offer too,, heck just chuck it really hard across the Channel he'll catch it :)

Good on you Stu :tu

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

I would take Stu up on his gracious offer too,, heck just chuck it really hard across the Channel he'll catch it :)

Good on you Stu :tu

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Now that would be some fun youtube editting!

Welcome and I agree, take Stu up on his offer.

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Originally Posted by BigJim

Welcome to SRP! I'd take Stu up on his offer. I know what it's like to be "budget conscious" (read poor), and that's a great offer that will pay dividends down the road.

Peace,

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I fully intend to, what a great introduction to SRP! : )

Just like to say a huge thank you to Stubear for honing my razor, it has made a massive difference to my beginner's shaving experience.

It has been said many times before, but this should be a lesson to anyone taking up straight razor shaving; no matter what you might read, ALWAYS buy your razor from a reputable supplier who will sell it in SHAVE READY condition, or be prepared to send it for honing before reaching for the soap & brush - I had read elsewhere that my new Dovo Special razor would be capable of giving a good shave straight from the factory, maybe an experienced hand might have been able to produce a clean shave, but in my hands the results were a long way from that. Now with a freshly honed edge and pleasantly tingling cheeks I feel confident the learning curve will be more of an ongoing pleasure than an awkward, painful challenge....

Many thanks again!

It is possible to shave with a cheese grater, but good results don't come easy.
If your technique is not well-refined, then results can make one queasy.
The main problem is that although they can be honed so that hairs will pop.
when you try to smooth out all those edges, it'll cut the crap right out of your strop.

definitely take up Stubear's offer! you can't go wrong. welcome to the forum. as you've learned in your first thread, everyone here is GREAT!

Man, I was in the exact same place as you.... Fortunately, I found Lynn and got a pro honed razor to start with. HOwever, I still ended up with a cheese grater face!!! :)

Still trying!!

Lata!

So 3 months in and I'm getting great shaves, no cheese-grater feeling any more! I'm not quite there on the chin, but normally get a very good result after going over it & touching up at the end. But I'm still getting better each time, which is great.

I bought an Edwin Jagger DE with the idea of doing the first pass with the Dovo and completing the shave with a nice DE (it's strange how you get sucked in to this personal grooming thing!), but in practice I find I prefer to finish the job with the razor I started it with - It's nice to have the DE though, I really like to use it for a change, or if I'm in a hurry ; £20 well spent : )

It's very rewarding acquiring the straight razor shave skill, I'm so pleased I gave it a go