My introduction and a few random things

I tried shaving with a Sheffield razor a year or two ago, but didn't have a hone and probably had poor stropping technique. Anyways, whenever I used it, it took me a long time each shave, I could never do an XTG pass and my shaves weren't that great, maybe DFS, and my face felt raw. So I sold it and decided to stick with my Merkur HD and focus on experiencing colognes, creams, soaps and brushes.

Someone told me that I would get the itch to try it again. A year later, I did!. Last week I received my new Dovo Best Quality 6/8 (blonde) razor from thesuperiorshave.com and on Saturday morning I went for my first shave with it. I'm not sure if they come "shave ready" from him because I did feel some slight pulling (I had 2+ days growth) but got a pretty good shave with only 2 passes. I'm excited to get back into this again and look forward to having a nice collection of Dovo razors.

Now, I just need to learn to strop my razor and figure out the paste and honing enigmas.

Welcome to SRP EucrisBoy. Shaving with a not-so-sharp razor is no fun at all. Good to here you gave it another try with better results this time. If you are not sure about your razor being shave ready, it might be worth sending it off to one of the gurus on the forum.
As for technique and advice there plenty of both here and top quality too.
Anyway, enjoy the journey.

Stu

Hi and welcome to SRP!
Sounds to me like you are experiencing what most of us have when starting out.

I've never tried the edges from the superior shave, but have heard references on their honing enough on here to tell you that your razor is most likely sharp and shave ready.
The tugging you are describing is more often than not the technique or the prep.
Focus on taking your time with the prep, then work on your angles too.
I'm sure you will get a lot better at it with some more practice.

Check out the links in my sig-line, I found them invaluable to me when first starting out.

Oh, and do try to see if there is a local meeting in your area.
If you could manage to attend one of those, you'd learn so much in just an evening!

Good luck with it.
Ask all the questions you need to get up and running. That's what this site is about. Helping each other out:)

Yep, everything you've said is oh so familiar. Most of us have been there. Get you shave and strop technique sorted out with daily practice and you'll be an old hand in no time. Honing isn't all that hard once you grasp the rules of light to no pressure and flat blade (Over simplified, I know). It will still take practice and a marker pen is a handy tool to have as well.
Welcome and good luck. Ask questions and don't give up for at least two months and I reckon you'll be there.


Mick