New member and lots of questions

Hello everyone. New member from the UK here.

I have done a lot of research and searching, this site is fantastic by the way, but I still have a number of questions/problems.

Here is the background. Straight razor shaving is something I have wanted to do for many years. I received a starter set from Invisible Edge for Christmas. The Invisible Edge web site says my razor comes shaving ready. The razor is their own branded 'classic' manufactured by Dovo. They do make a point of saying it is shaving ready in a number of places so I guess I should believe them. Here is the problem; the very first cut, on my cheek down to chin was very smooth. The next cut on my second cheek tugged a bit. The third cut, well it just didn't. I have stropped the blade and each time it achieves the hanging hair test so I think it really is sharp but I can get no more than one smooth cut and a second tugging cut out of the edge. I have persevered for a few shaves and tried different angles and have been improving my technique (I have a long way to go...). I have also gone OTT on the pre shave prep including conditioner and shaving oil but the result is the same. I am concerned that my beard is too tough. I haven't wet shaved for many years but remembering back to those day when I did try shaving with disposables I remember them becoming very uncomfortable part way through a shave and absolutely no chance of getting a second shave out of one. Even with electric razors the only brand that actually works is the philishave rotary razors, braun and others with the side to side action leave my face in a mess.

So to the specific questions
1. Is my razor 'saving sharp', it does pass the HHT but am I deluding myself?
2. Will things get better as my technique improves?
3. Does good technique extend the life of the edge? or is that down to metallurgy?
4. Will I get better edge retention if I spend more on a razor? (I didn't want to do this until I knew it was going to work for me)
5. Is my beard too tough? Is that even possible?
6. Should I keep going?

I'm looking forward to the advice.

Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulrbarnard

1. Is my razor 'saving sharp', it does pass the HHT but am I deluding myself?
2. Will things get better as my technique improves?
3. Does good technique extend the life of the edge? or is that down to metallurgy?
4. Will I get better edge retention if I spend more on a razor? (I didn't want to do this until I knew it was going to work for me)
5. Is my beard too tough? Is that even possible?
6. Should I keep going?

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Welcome to SRP.
I'm sure you will find your stay here informative and fun:)

As to your questions:

1. It is most likely shave ready. I've heard many people state that they deliver fine edges. I've not experienced them myself though.
2. YES, getting good shaves from a straight takes time and practice. Your story sounds a lot like most of our own experiences:)
3. Again, yes. Good stropping, good prep and technique will make your edge last longer.
4. Not to the extent you might hope for. Most any vintage razor will shave splendidly, as will the new Dovo's. I have bought new Dovo razors myself, and have no complaints on their quality.
5. I've never met anyone with that tough a beard. Again, good prep, stropping and a shave ready edge will mow 'em down. no worries:)

6. Only you can decide on that. What I can tell you is that for those of us who persevered and kept at it, were eventually rewarded with the most wonderfully close and comfortable shaves.

Maneuvering a straight razor takes skill, skill that can be properly learned only with time, practice and patience.

You are early in your quest. Your situation is analogous to someone jumping into a race-prepped Ferrari who is disappointed to learn that his first trip around LeMans didn't result in a competitive time.

Your questions, all nicely stated, are typical of the experience of new shavers. With time, you'll find that it will all come together, but it is unlikely to happen until you have more experience.

Hi Paul,

Just wanted to say welcome to the site!!!

This like many things takes patience and practice! Lots and lots of practice just keep at it and before you know it you will be shaving like a pro.

I have been shaving now for about 5 months and I had the same questions as you did for the most part.

For the first few weeks my wife looked at me as if I had lost all my marbles. I had cuts and nicks and regular razor burn that needed local fired Dept. to come and put out...

But I did find my self getting better and better with each shave.

Happy New Year!!

Keep your blade sharp and your chin up!
:gl:

Welcome to SRP, Paul!

To answer your questions:


1. Is my razor 'saving sharp', it does pass the HHT but am I deluding myself?
Hard to say. The HHT doesn't tell you anything on its own. But it's most likely a beginner technique issue.
2. Will things get better as my technique improves?
Yes.
3. Does good technique extend the life of the edge? or is that down to metallurgy?
Yes - not necessarily metallurgy related, though.
4. Will I get better edge retention if I spend more on a razor? (I didn't want to do this until I knew it was going to work for me)
No.
5. Is my beard too tough? Is that even possible?
No.
6. Should I keep going?
Yes! :)

Have fun,

Ryan

Only question you need answered is weather or not to keep going...Yes! Absolutely ! Few things Are as rewarding as what you learn and accomplish as you take this journey referred to by one of the other members as "the straight Road". You will learn with each shave. BBS or full of nics, each will teach you something valuable. Make it a point to continue to browse this forum and to talk and write about your experiences. It will help you and other nubees. The group of gentlemen on here all have struck me as as just that... Gentlemen. Courteous and forthcoming with there valuable knowledge. Most of all Have fun!
Good shaving sir!

Steve Dempster of Invisible Edge has a good reputation so I expect that the razor is indeed shave ready. I and many others had a similar start with straights but perverseness pays off. Blade angle flatter to the face, effective skin stretching and proper stropping were the parts that needed to come together to get a great shave.

I reckon that it takes a couple of dozen straight shaves to start getting half decent shaves. Just start off doing 1 or 2 passes then finishing off with a Philishave. I've not heard of anyone's beard being too tough but I suppose there could be a 1st.

I'd hang on in there if I was you.

Hi! Fellow newbie here and many welcomes to you. It appears the veterans here have really answered your questions, but I will add to not give up. You probably have a sharp razor, and just need to take time to prep your beard/take your time with the shave. Short strokes. Again, take your time and just enjoy the entire process from start to finish. Make the time to really just "be in the moment."

You'll have plenty of time to get totally hooked and make everyone in your life aware of how incredible this activity is.

Mike (Atlanta, GA)

Thank you all for the great welcome and excellent advice. I am persevering and have every intention of mastering this straight experience and I think today was a turning point.

I read some of the advice on strop preparation and gave mine the smoothing and hand rubbing treatment. I feel my stropping is getting better too. It is feeling more natural and I am getting a nice even swish across the leather. I got a lot less dragging today.

My foam experience was much more creamy after reading more about whipping it up and felt quite luxurious. I am using OSMA shaving soap and it seems to be working for me. How do you keep it hot/warm though? Maybe it's a speed thing but when i come to put more foam on it is icy cold, that can't be a good thing I think.

The comments about it being down to technique are so true!

Todays shave went very much better I have a couple of rough spots, in what for me are difficult to get at areas, under my jaw bone on each side. Apart from that I actually have a passable shave. I am now spending longer in the bathroom than my teenage daughters which is causing some consternation at home but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

I would say SRP is an essential component of straight razor shaving.

Paul

In answer to keeping the lather warm. A scuttle is a way to keep the lather nice and warm through the shave. Not the vintage type but the new ones made by folks like Robert Becker. SRD sells a nice one and you can find lots of references to one called the Dirty Bird. You can also save some money and just set an smaller bowl in a larger bowl of hot water. Kind of works like a double boiler. Look through the forums. There is lots of info.
I find it just improves the whole shaving experience. Nothing like nice warm later on the face. :)

Karl

There is a lot to master with straight shaving, as for keeping lather warm you can go for a scuttle which you put hot water in and form the lather in the bowl above. Steve Woodhead is the only UK maker of those that I am aware. Alternatively you could do what I do and just stand the lather bowl in the sink or a larger bowl with a bit of hot water in it.

Stropping improves through practice i.e. when you build the muscle memory, and will greatly improve the shave when its right.

I'm also in Radstock (small world) so if you run into trouble with anything let me know and I'll see what can do.

All the best

Nic

hi ive bought quite a few straights from the invisible edge ,all have been shave ready so i dont believe it will be any other than shave ready ,i find a good preshave oil works on tougher whiskers plus a hot not too hot though face cloth left on face for 30.or so seconds works to soften bristles , dont give up for one day it all comes together and you wont look back .
ian

Hi and welcome to SRP from another UK new member :)

I've had 3 razors from IE now and they are all nice an sharp so don't think that's the problem.

With respect to keeping the lather warm, what I tend to do is use a large shaving mug and preheat it in a sink of hot water (along with my brush) while I'm showering, then, once the lather is made I reduce the amount of hot water in the sink to a few inches and sit the mug in that. That works for me without having a specific miss scuttle. However Steve Woodhead is a good guy (I bought a shaving mug for my dad from him).

Good luck
Jason

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeltz

I'm also in Radstock (small world) so if you run into trouble with anything let me know and I'll see what can do.

All the best

Nic

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I had clicked on you google map link and saw a pin in Radstock. I assumed that was showing me :-) Zooming in now I see we are actually only a few streets away. I'm in Lower Whitelands.

Welcome, Paul. Looks like you've got the best of luck, finding another str8 shaver nearby.

Your first-cheek-smooth, second-cheek rough experience sounds like you just have better dexterity on the first side. There's no shame in just doing the easiest spots with your straight and finishing up with whatever you used before. Eventually your comfort zone will encompass your whole face and neck. My transition to full-time straight shaving took about four months.

If it was easy right out of the gate it wouldn't be so interesting. Have fun and happy shaving.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roughkype

Welcome, Paul. Looks like you've got the best of luck, finding another str8 shaver nearby.

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Yeah quite funny, its a small town and we live almost a stones throw from one and other.

I found a old straight razor from my grandfather it says non XLL Joseph Allen & sons sheffield england. On the blade it says medium size hollow ground. Seems to be in good shape and I have the original box for it to can anyone tell me what it's worth or where I can sell it.. I tried to post pics but can't get them to load here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bigdaddyoo32

I found a old straight razor from my grandfather it says non XLL Joseph Allen & sons sheffield england. On the blade it says medium size hollow ground. Seems to be in good shape and I have the original box for it to can anyone tell me what it's worth or where I can sell it.. I tried to post pics but can't get them to load here

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Sorry, no appraisals here. Your best bet would be to research similar blades on Ebay and see what they sold for.

Hello Paul,

In my experience, and I believe that was the experience of most people who took on straight razor shaving, the learning curve is very long. In average you should expect between three to six month before you pass the point where you can start feeling you started to master the technique. I actually gave it up once in cheer frustration, then two years later, like the prodigal son, came back few months ago. I'm glad I did. It is until now that my shaves are showing good progress. My shaves are comfortable now and they are getting closer and closer each day.

Things to watch are the angle of your razor and the pressure you apply to your face. The less your razor touches your skin (with out missing the whisker!) the better your results will be.

I also was told by some members here, that one of the most common problems beginners have is stropping technique. If you put to much pressure while stropping you are actually flattening your razor instead of sharpening it. So what I did after I heard this one was to send my razors to have them professorially sharpened again.

To summarize, I started making progress after I re-honed my razors, re-learn how to strop and became more aware of the pressure/angel in my strokes.

I read some where that if you are having problems shaving is not because you have sensitive skin nor because of your type of bear but because of your technique.

I wish you all the success you can master!

Carlos