Thread: 1st straight razor shave = worst shave ever

MickR "...[F]rom my own personal experience, that your problems lie solely and wholly with your in-experience."
+1 MickR
We all have gone thru the same thing. I guess it is paying your dues for learning how to use a Str8. But the process is well worth the result. Read the WIKI. Follow Lynn's advice for your beginning shaves. Take your time and learn, as I did, from the guys on this forum. There is much to learn and it IS fun.

Your post sounds just like I posted last night.
I am 44 years old and have been shaving for 30 years, also shaving my head for 8 years. I can do it all with my eyes closed, but failed misserably with a straight edge.
I had many hot lather shaves at the barber shop, an I am willing to devote the time in learning the use of this "magical" tool.
Also, just to make sure I am having the razor sharpened porfessionaly.

Good luck to you and the rest of us nubies in mastering the SR8.

Igor

Was the blade "sharp" before you stropped it? I Know a few bad passes on the strop at the wrong angle and the edge is shot.

Thanks for all the replies, encouragement and feedback. I can definitely see where I need to practice and improve. I have previously read through a lot of the wiki and Lynn's tips and other stuff, so I feel pretty well armed with knowledge, now I just need to put it all into practice and find out what works.

Was the blade "sharp" before you stropped it? I Know a few bad passes on the strop at the wrong angle and the edge is shot.

Yeah, I think I prolly **** the edge by stropping it poorly. Like I said, the blade wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be, but I didn't do it any favors, and it prolly was plenty sharp to shave with when I got it. Afterward I took a scrutinizing look at the the strop and the blade on it, and I noticed that since the strop is brand new and not broken in yet, it's not flat across it's entire length. Through most of the middle there's a slight concave bow to it and most of the blade doesn't touch it.

I have a bench stropping system that I'm in the process of making, and I have some nice bridle leather, 3" x 12". I very carefully stropped the blade on that and I immediately noticed an improvement. I have some other products and materials on the way that I'll use as I feel the need to refine the edge further.

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

I'm gonna keep at it! Thanks again - Cheers! mpp

One of the best things I like about using a CT to shave with is the fact that I get less ingrown hairs than I used to, and in all fairness that is probably because of better shaving prep than I used to use. Shaving in the shower using a bar of soap as my lather isn't the best way to shave I'm assuming now. But, what I find the best about the CT, is that my shaves are noticeably smoother and, and this is the clincher for me, I don't really need to shave as often. The shave is longer lasting than with any other method of shaving I've tried. And I've tried them all. Every man and his face is different though and what I like most about a CT shave may not be the same as others.


Mick

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

FWIW (I'm only a few months into this myself) --

The multi-blade, cartridge razors are _very_ forgiving. You can press hard on them, you don't have to worry about the angle the blade makes with your face, you don't have to do careful lathering (much less "pre-lather prep") -- and your face will survive. And they're more tolerant of less-than-sharp blades.

Straights, and traditional DE razors, are much less forgiving. Use too much pressure? -- OUCH! Don't do proper lathering? -- OUCH! Don't use correct angles with a straight razor? -- OUCH! Not to mention that the straight razor doesn't have any hesitation about slicing skin, if you move it wrong.

So there's a rather long learning curve for these very simple-looking tools.

The payoff is that you _can_ get a really smooth shave, and do it without damaging your skin. There's some pride of achievement in that.

Charles

Originally Posted by MickR

One of the best things I like about using a CT to shave with is the fact that I get less ingrown hairs than I used to, and in all fairness that is probably because of better shaving prep than I used to use. Shaving in the shower using a bar of soap as my lather isn't the best way to shave I'm assuming now. But, what I find the best about the CT, is that my shaves are noticeably smoother and, and this is the clincher for me, I don't really need to shave as often. The shave is longer lasting than with any other method of shaving I've tried. And I've tried them all. Every man and his face is different though and what I like most about a CT shave may not be the same as others.


Mick

What's CT? Thanks! mpp

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

FWIW (I'm only a few months into this myself) --

The multi-blade, cartridge razors are _very_ forgiving. You can press hard on them, you don't have to worry about the angle the blade makes with your face, you don't have to do careful lathering (much less "pre-lather prep") -- and your face will survive. And they're more tolerant of less-than-sharp blades.

Straights, and traditional DE razors, are much less forgiving. Use too much pressure? -- OUCH! Don't do proper lathering? -- OUCH! Don't use correct angles with a straight razor? -- OUCH! Not to mention that the straight razor doesn't have any hesitation about slicing skin, if you move it wrong.

So there's a rather long learning curve for these very simple-looking tools.

The payoff is that you _can_ get a really smooth shave, and do it without damaging your skin. There's some pride of achievement in that.

Charles

Completely agree w/ everything here - well said!

Originally Posted by mpukas

Thanks for all the replies, encouragement and feedback. I can definitely see where I need to practice and improve. I have previously read through a lot of the wiki and Lynn's tips and other stuff, so I feel pretty well armed with knowledge, now I just need to put it all into practice and find out what works.


Yeah, I think I prolly **** the edge by stropping it poorly. Like I said, the blade wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be, but I didn't do it any favors, and it prolly was plenty sharp to shave with when I got it. Afterward I took a scrutinizing look at the the strop and the blade on it, and I noticed that since the strop is brand new and not broken in yet, it's not flat across it's entire length. Through most of the middle there's a slight concave bow to it and most of the blade doesn't touch it.

I have a bench stropping system that I'm in the process of making, and I have some nice bridle leather, 3" x 12". I very carefully stropped the blade on that and I immediately noticed an improvement. I have some other products and materials on the way that I'll use as I feel the need to refine the edge further.

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

I'm gonna keep at it! Thanks again - Cheers! mpp

I agree with you on the great shaves with a 5 blader. I used a Gillette Pro Fusion and Pro Glide for years, along with the Quattro and the Mach 3 and never had a bad shave. I used to get the cartridges to last for months and never got nicks, cuts, razor burn or in-grown hairs.

I don't think you have to hate cartridges to move to straights. I like 'em all, DEs, cartridges, and straights. Today was the Pro Fusion, tomorrow a Merkur HD, and Saturday morning has a 8/8 Wade and Butcher honed up and waiting for it.

I didn't start shaving with a straight razor to save money. So far it's been pretty expensive. I didn't do it to save the local landfill either. I did it because it was a challenge to learn and fun to do.

Originally Posted by mpukas

What's CT? Thanks! mpp

Cut Throat!!!