Thread: Still a blotchy bad shave.

Mark,

Look at this you have unearthed my thread from 2011 and now it is 2014, how time flies when you are having fun with a straight razor, has it been this long?

Since I posted this thread I have become considerably more experienced in the art of straight razor shaving and have never picked up a modern disposable since. Although I have used my DE the odd number of times, perhaps only 1 in 15 shaves or so, can’t be too many as I am still on the original boxed pack of blades.

Anyway after reading my above original posts I can remember how green or inexperienced to straight razor shaving I was and how bloody frustrated I got. Almost like “why the hell are my whiskers not being shaven off and why is my skin so red raw after an hour of shaving”, yes 1 hour!

I have no problems now with my razors cutting the whiskers and it takes me longer to strop the razor and clean up all the gear etc. than to actually shave, not quite but almost.

The only times I cut myself now is because I am either too tired and not concentrating or too cocky, like trying to do some fast fancy maneuver for no reason.

As for blade angles I have no idea, they are all over the place depending on what area I am shaving, I do not exactly put a protractor to my face but the whiskers are shaven off no problem.

Anyway looking back to the past, I am pretty sure I damaged the tip of the blade without realizing it and most likely from inexperienced handling and stropping of the razor. And also inexperience in knowing how the razor was supposed to perform when sharp (or blunt). I had no idea and basally I thought I was doing everything correct.

This could be the same for you, without realizing it you have blunted the edge of the razor and also combined with a lack of skill can give you a very bad shave.

Or the razor could be perfect but still even though you think you are doing everything right chances are you may be lacking skill which will definitely come over time.

I purchased a balsa wood board/strop and a little tub of chromium oxide way back then which did help in refreshing the blade to its former glory and the shaves were so much better after I did this.
Sometime after this I purchased a Belgian corticule stone and slurry stone and did my own honing, these are the only 2 items I use now to sharpen the blade and I have never paid for honing.

If there is a way you can verify the blade is sharp the only other thing would be experience and that will come eventually, as they say good things take time so do not give up.

By the way, you do not have to spend big money on new razors for a good shave; my best shaves come from no more than $30.00 razors from an antique shop, if you can find any good ones.

My first razor was quite an expensive new Wacker thinking it will give me good shaves. Wrong, what gives you good shaves is experience providing you have an adequate and sharp straight razor.

All the best and let us know how you get on.