Thread: First shave... Somewhate disappointed. Need suggestions.

This is my first post here, and I'm a noob to straight razor shaving, so here's my gear:

6/8" Dovo from classicshaving.com (classic "black")
Shaving soap from cs.com
My greatgrandfather's badger hair brush
Bay rum aftershave from cs.com
Dovo strop

I received the razor last week, and went by a local barbershop to have them hone and strop it for me. The barber (70+ old codger) seemingly put a very good edge on it and told me it was a fine razor. Well, I got home, took a shower and really got my face hot and clean, then worked up a lather with the brush and went for it.
Amazingly I didn't cut myself, but I did find that (especially on my chin and jawline) that the razor seemed to be "pulling" hairs rather than cutting them. I have shaved twice since then, and am sorta happy with the results on my cheeks and bottom of my neck, but on my chin, forget it. I can go over the same spot going different directions with the razor and simply CANNOT get the hair down to skin. There's always some stubble left.

Can anyone help me out, or have some suggestions?

Chin and jawline aren't the easiest to shave. Did you get the razor skin angle right? Usually about 30 degrees is recommenden but you may want to experiment. You may want to go to that barber and ask him to shave you with it and see what happens.

As to checking the sharpness of your razor: try the hanging hair test or thumb nail test. Both have been mentioned and explained often on this forum not so long ago. Try the search feature!

Thanks for the reply.
The razor passed the fingernail test and i'll try the hanging hair test today after work. Also, that's a great suggestion to get the barber to shave me with it.
What is your general "feeling" when you shave a tough patch of beard? Does your razor "pull" at all, or is it a generally smooth swipe? For me, it feels as though it's grabbing the hairs as I go, it certainly hasn't been a smooth stroke yet (chin, cheeks, anywhere).

Bentendo81, welcome. I've only been at this for a little while myself so I know where you are coming from. Kees has offered some good advise and I would try his suggestions. I would also add a reminder that to a large extent you are learning to shave all over again, so be patient and give your body a chance to adjust to the new mechanics involved. Even with good sharp razor, your first few shaves won't be perfect.

After a while, it will get better. In the same way you can touch your fingertip to your nose or put a fork-full of food in your mouth w/o jabbing your lip, you'll be better able to place the blade and maneuver it where it should be - and at the correct angle, correct pressure, etc. - not mindlessly of course, but much more easily. Just keep at it with patience and calm focus. Good luck and enjoy!

Jordan

Originally Posted by bentendo81

Thanks for the reply.
What is your general "feeling" when you shave a tough patch of beard? Does your razor "pull" at all, or is it a generally smooth swipe? For me, it feels as though it's grabbing the hairs as I go, it certainly hasn't been a smooth stroke yet (chin, cheeks, anywhere).

It should not pull, you will of course feel if and when the razor has to overcome more resistance. Most guys on the forum have 2 passes: 1st one with the grain, relather and 2nd one against the grain. If I do 2 passes I usually do that only on the chin and upper lip. The more it pulls the harder you'll try to push the razor along the skin the more you risk serious cuts!

Not all barbers were honemeisters! Read this (from Mark Twain):

http://classiclit.about.com/library/...in-barbers.htm

and this:

http://lancemannion.typepad.com/lanc...wain_subm.html

Good luck!

Thanks Kees,
It seems to me that the razor simply doesn't have the edge it needs. I may send it off to be properly honed, or try my hand at another local barber shop. But it most certainly is NOT a smooth shave and is pulling.

Oh, and the Mark Twain write-ups were HILARIOUS, and hopefully noone on this forum has gone through that much agony!

Like the others have said - shaving with a
straight does not come over night.

The chin and jaw line is usually the hardest
part. Try laying the razor a little flatter
and shave at an angle on these areas.

How many passes are making when you
strop the razor? 1 pass is the length of
the strop and back.

Are you applying any pressure when you strop?
Now you shouldn't apply a great deal, but a
little is probably a good thing.

It seems that you are doing quite well and
if you keep it up it will only get better.


Terry

Originally Posted by bentendo81

I may send it off to be properly honed, or try my hand at another local barber shop. But it most certainly is NOT a smooth shave and is pulling.

There's a couple of members that offer a honing service. Lynn Abrams (adjustme69) is the most well known and certainly most respected of honers by the SRP memebers. I have never used his or any other honers' services as I want to learn myself so cannot share experiences.

wvbias,
when I strop i do about 20 passes, and apply light pressure. I go slow because I don't have the motion down yet, and as my razor is wider than the strop I go in a elongated "X" pattern (like how you're supposed to use a narrow wetstone for honing).
Thanks for the encouragement, as well.