Thread: Something not working, help!

Welcome to the forum, Nice to see another member from Jacksonville. Larry is a good guy, and a friend of mine. If he said the blade was shave ready, it probably was. Shaving with a straight razor takes time and practice. You'll get it, try not to get frustratred. Honing, is whole different ball game, you may have done more harm than good. 9 times out of 10, when your new, it is your technique. If you want, pm me, I'll be glad to check out your razor for you, and hone it up it necessary, and help you out...

P.S. I'm right handed as well, When I do the right side of my face, sometimes the scales are straight out, They don't need to be like an "L" at all times, Move them if necessary...Whatever feels comfortable to you. I find, if the blade and scales are (somewhat) straight, I can shave the right side easier..Hope this makes sense.

Rich

Hello,

If you read my introduction in the beginners sub forum you will see that I had exactly the same problems as yourself. I gave up and put the razor away for years. Big mistake. I, like you bought a shave ready razor and a strop. All the stropping in the world would not have given me a good shave. When I did eventually get the razor out again I had a hone and with minimal honing the razor gave me an shave that was equal to any other method that I had used previously. I then went on a steep learning curve that you won't have to because, all the info you need is available on this site. In short, time is the key. You must take your time and learn a whole new way of shaving. You have to re-map your face in your mind. I still have trouble getting really close on either side of my adams apple but, I'm getting better all the time. Read the info on here and don't skip over any of it, it is experience that has been gained over many years. Most of all, stick with it and you will reap the rewards

Pete

Originally Posted by Jdulaney

I bought a shave ready straight razor, strop and brush from whippeddog.com. Today is my third attempt, and something isn't working. The first I had major razorburn, which I attribute to probably using the wrong angle. My biggest problem though is I'm not getting much of a shave. I've tried all three directions multiple times, but I've still got stubble. I don't know if I just have a tough beard, if I've messed up the hone on the blade already, or something else. I'm also finding it awkward to find the right way to hold my hands and the razor for certain passes. I'm right handed, and trying to go under my jawbone from my right ear toward my chin, the blade is long and the scales get in the way. suggestions?

I know what you mean, 2.5 weeks in and I still have razor burn, looks a right mess but I shave at night so by morning it has subdued somewhat, luckily.

Trying not to get frustrated for fear of cutting myself but I go over and over the same areas at multiple angles and multiple passes in different directions but the my stubble still remains but it is reduced.

Apparently a good workman never blames his tools but it is easier to do so than blaming ones techniques so I am still persevering.

I was touching up the worse areas or actually going over my entire face with my DE but I don’t do this anymore as my skin can’t take anymore scraping so I start my new day with what seems a full 24 hour growth.

As for holding the razor in the correct position for certain passes, it does get easier and easier to work out, I grab the razor with my left hand (even though I am right handed) and shave away without realizing it. Two weeks ago I was very cautious of passing the razor from my right hand to my left and now I do this without even thinking and realizing I have done this.

I do hope you shaves like mine become better and better as time rolls on, it has to so don’t give up.

What's your prep like?
It plays a very large part of the shave.
Other than that, as others have said, use no pressure (envision trying to scoop/slice the lather off your face taking as much lather as possible but touching your skin as little as possible); keep a low angle (20 degrees or so. It's lower than what some recommend. It won't cut as close but it will reduce skin irritation. You can increase angle as you go); go slow and do one with the grain pass.

I've very little to add, except to reiterate what bharner just said--a properly sharp razor should take off your beard with no more force than it takes for it to take off the lather. Take Zib up on his offer to check out your edge.

Also, try shaving with cold water--as cold as you can run it from the tap. Many folks get less irritation that way. Many (myself included) also believe it's a closer shave than with hot water.

I shave at bedtime in the summer, so my skin can get over the general insult before I take it out into the hot sweaty world for the day.

Originally Posted by roughkype

I shave at bedtime in the summer, so my skin can get over the general insult before I take it out into the hot sweaty world for the day.

+1 there for the summer! It's currently 103F here...

My rules for a good shave in order of importance:

1. Preparing the beard.
2. Stretching the skin while shaving.
3. Good post shave.
4. Correct angles.
5. Sharp razor.

Originally Posted by carazor

My rules for a good shave in order of importance:

1. Preparing the beard.
2. Stretching the skin while shaving.
3. Good post shave.
4. Correct angles.
5. Sharp razor.

Great post, I hope you don't mind my adding:
6. Short and slow strokes.
7. Do not rush your shave.

Originally Posted by roughkype

I've very little to add, except to reiterate what bharner just said--a properly sharp razor should take off your beard with no more force than it takes for it to take off the lather. Take Zib up on his offer to check out your edge.

Also, try shaving with cold water--as cold as you can run it from the tap. Many folks get less irritation that way. Many (myself included) also believe it's a closer shave than with hot water.

I shave at bedtime in the summer, so my skin can get over the general insult before I take it out into the hot sweaty world for the day.

This is a good point. I have a friend who's father was a barber way back when and he tell me that his Dad only used cold water when giving a wet shave. Why? Because the cold water makes the steel contract, thus giving a keener, tighter edge to the blade. Hot water will make the steel expand, thickening the edge and dulling the blade. True or not, it works for me!!

Originally Posted by Jdulaney

I bought a shave ready straight razor, strop and brush from whippeddog.com. Today is my third attempt, and something isn't working. The first I had major razorburn, which I attribute to probably using the wrong angle. My biggest problem though is I'm not getting much of a shave. I've tried all three directions multiple times, but I've still got stubble. I don't know if I just have a tough beard, if I've messed up the hone on the blade already, or something else. I'm also finding it awkward to find the right way to hold my hands and the razor for certain passes. I'm right handed, and trying to go under my jawbone from my right ear toward my chin, the blade is long and the scales get in the way. suggestions?

Take a deep breath....I know you may feel frustrated, just follow the advice given, at
this forum.
I my self use a glide motion, others use a sickle motion.
I have purchased two razors and had a third honed by Larry at whippeddog.
I then stropped them my self on some newspaper to smooth them out a little more,
but they were vary shave ready with out that step (I strop all my razors on newspaper)
Do not be afraid to finish with a safety razor.
Generation of men shaved with a straight, some guys can do it after a few shaves, others
take a year, just relax it will come, just try a little at a time using your left had for the left
side of your face, don't worry you have the rest of your life to learn this art, then you
will have a feeling of accomplishment
, it will save you from having to trek up Mt, Everest.