Thread: HELP!

So this morning was my 3rd shave and it was not good by any means... So far; my 1st shave was ok with a little tug that I figured was related to technique, wasn't expecting it to be great, 2nd was not as good as the first, much more tug, and this mornings was horrible, a lot of tug and seemed like the razor just couldn't cut especially when I got to my chin. Each shave has been finished with a cartridge, each one sooner in the shave, and each one yielding better results with the cartridge. Today I couldn't even finish one pass WTG. I thought my stropping technique was ok but now I don't know, could I have rolled the edge? I've been doing 20-30 on the felt and 30-40 on the leather. At this point do I need a pasted strop or should I take it to a shop to be re honed?

Was that your 3rd shave overall?
I would guess you need to work on your stropping technique assuming the razor was indeed shave ready.

The stopping should be OK in those numbers although I usually do 40-60 on the leather. The main thing is to keep both the edge and the spine on the strop at the same time and roll on the spine when you change directions. You don't want to be so tentative to use no pressure at all on the strop, but you also don't want to bear down either. The stropping stoke should be rhythmic like one-one thousand, two-one thousand. The other thing is that taking on a full shave right from the start can cause a lot of frustration as it is harder at first to maintain a good cutting angle around the bulb of the chin. I normally recommend making sure your razor is vertical as the natural tendency is for the wrist to bend back. You want 30 degrees or less as a cutting angle and the best way to experiment is to just take one small areal like the sideburn down to the jaw for a few days to get it right. When comfortable with this, move to the cheek, the other side, the neck and finally the chin over a couple weeks.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by mainaman

Was that your 3rd shave overall?
I would guess you need to work on your stropping technique assuming the razor was indeed shave ready.

Yeah, 3rd overall... I figured it must be my stropping technique. I just have to take a day to just focus on my stropping technique.

Originally Posted by Lynn

The stopping should be OK in those numbers although I usually do 40-60 on the leather. The main thing is to keep both the edge and the spine on the strop at the same time and roll on the spine when you change directions. You don't want to be so tentative to use no pressure at all on the strop, but you also don't want to bear down either. The stropping stoke should be rhythmic like one-one thousand, two-one thousand. The other thing is that taking on a full shave right from the start can cause a lot of frustration as it is harder at first to maintain a good cutting angle around the bulb of the chin. I normally recommend making sure your razor is vertical as the natural tendency is for the wrist to bend back. You want 30 degrees or less as a cutting angle and the best way to experiment is to just take one small areal like the sideburn down to the jaw for a few days to get it right. When comfortable with this, move to the cheek, the other side, the neck and finally the chin over a couple weeks.

Have fun,

Lynn

Thanks Lynn,

I must just be trying to do too much too soon. As far as rolling the edge, can proper stropping alone repair that or is there something else that needs to be done?

What do you mean "take it to a shop to be honed" is this how you had the first edge put on it because I don't know of any shops that can put a proper edge on a straight. That doesn't mean they are out there just that I haven't heard of them I have heard of guys taking their razors to a shop that sharpens knives and getting subpar results. If it does need honing I'd send it to a pro for the classifieds here.

If your shaves are getting worse and not better you are shaving with a dull edge. Yes, stropping is likely and issue (might have rolled the edge), and technique will definitely be an issue. But if it's not shaving comfortably you should stop using it and see if an SRP member lives close by to asses the edge. When you do get a decent edge back be sure to follow Lynn's advice and take it slow by mastering a section of your face at a time (starting with a sideburn and cheek) and finishing up with your cartridge razor.

No, I bought it on the classifieds here at SRP. Yes there are two shops here in Los Angeles that deal with quality straight razors and accessories. Both offer honing services, whether they have an employee that is a professional at honing straight razors or use someone who freelances I don't know, but I do know they offer the service and have spoke with multiple barbers where I live who have nothing but great things to say about them as far as products and services. I would prefer to go somewhere local with a good reputation just because of turn around time. Or try to find a local SRP member.

Thanks forthe advice Ryan82, time to try finding a local SRP member