Thread: Going down hill fast

Technique has to be the problem, with you and with anyone starting out. Why?

Because anyone new to straight shaving can go out and get, or order online,
a shave ready razor, a wonderful strop, the best soaps and creams in the world,
and even a closet full of hones. So he's all set to get on with his first shave
and expects it to be great because of his wonderful equipment. But it isn't great, why?

Because the only thing that he doesn't have, the one thing he cannot buy, is weeks
away----------------technique.

Our newbie will either quit or develop the necessary technique by asking questions on
this forum, practicing, enduring difficult shave after difficult shave, asking more
questions, getting more answers, and generally sticking it out. There are many who don't.

It is understandable that people new to golf think they can walk on to a driving range
and hit a drive like Tiger Woods. But people new to straight shaving aren't just swinging
a golf club, they're dragging a razor across their faces, for crying out loud!

If it weren't for the razor burn, nicks, cuts, weepers, razor rash, alum blocks, styptic and everything else we
have all gone through, none of us on this forum would have any technique at all. So, to expect
a Newbie to just come up with it is quite a stretch. That is why the issue is not usually with this lather or that lather, but what you are doing with the razor, i.e. technique.

Where are you in Minnesota? There are quite a few of us around here and if you live nearby, nothing beats getting help in person.

I am going through the same thing exactly!

First shave OK...second shave sucked! I am sure it's not my HA (Honing Ability) as I have been honing fine knives for years using quality hones. I followed the honing instructions to the 'T'.

I've concluded that it can only be my stropping or my shaving technique, so I ordered some handle strops to practice on because I'm tearing up my hanging strop...and my face!

And I've taped a small yellow sticky on my bathroom mirror with one word on it in big Red Letters: PERSEVERE!

THAT'S MY NEW WATCHWORD...

WP34

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

I am sure it's not my HA (Honing Ability) as I have been honing fine knives for years using quality hones. I followed the honing instructions to the 'T'.

I mean no offense, and you certainly may be one of many exceptions, but we on this forum have encountered many knife sharpeners who confidently declare their honing ability while merrily trashing their razors. Worse, they tell us we don't know what we are talking about when we try to help them. It seems that many knife honers have to unlearn some of their skills in order to properly hone their razors. What hones are you using for your razors?

1.

Skip the after shave, cologne, pre shave and other stuff.
Lots of folk react to "products" so less is often more.
Just wash, rinse clean, lather, shave, rinse, rinse, rinse.
A balm like Nivea can help so can half a drop of
mineral oil.

Amen! Avoid anything with alcohol. A skin moisturizer, shave balm, Vaseline "Intensive Care Lotion", or some almond oil will be kinder to your skin. If you have a wife or girlfriend, raid her "moisturizer" stash.

2. Four passes ???? After four passes, _my_ face would start burning. Start with one pass; nobody gets a multi-pass, "baby-butt shave" right until they've had lots of practice.

3. There's nothing wrong with using a DE razor and blade. It's probably a good way to learn what "no pressure" means. Start with _one pass_; shaving ATG with a DE razor will give you razor burn, just as if you were using a straight. Less chance to cut yourself, though.

Charles

it is already has been said i am sure. It is most likely your angle. try to make small strokes and find the best cutting angle and use it.
make small strokes .gl

Originally Posted by Utopian

Where are you in Minnesota? There are quite a few of us around here and if you live nearby, nothing beats getting help in person.

I sent you a PM as well, if you are anywhere near St Paul, I'll try to offer some help

Originally Posted by Utopian

I mean no offense, and you certainly may be one of many exceptions, but we on this forum have encountered many knife sharpeners who confidently declare their honing ability while merrily trashing their razors. Worse, they tell us we don't know what we are talking about when we try to help them. It seems that many knife honers have to unlearn some of their skills in order to properly hone their razors. What hones are you using for your razors?

No offense taken...and I understand your position and bias completely. But...a blade is a blade is a blade. I get that there are many differences between a knife and a razor, but they are both at their very essence tools. The same 'common mistakes' made by new folks learning to hone apply to knife sharpening as well. Angle, pressure, over-honing etc...

I'm making no claims to perfection, or of being a 'Razor Honemeister', I am simply saying that I know how to hone after about 40 years of picking up a stone, and I am now learning how to hone a razor. I use a complete set of Naniwa Superstones from 220-12000, and I lap these stones regularly. The only thing I never learned was how to strop,...but I am learning now.

But since I am a FNG to this art...I'll just continue to read the great stuff here at SRP and keep watching the videos. Improvement is always in order in all things in life...

Thanks for the input...

WP34