Thread: 43 shaves in

Ok, I see that no one has answered further.

Is it normal to have to "clean up" after the shaves? I really like the process but even as I get better I am not able to get around the chin and even go back over the rest of the face to get what I can see.

I am sure this has been answered many times since this sites beginning, I just can't find it.

Originally Posted by okiwen

About two months in and I still need to "clean up" each time with my good DE. I can't help but think that I am not getting the razor as sharp as it seems to be when I watch others in videos.

Originally Posted by okiwen

Is it normal to have to "clean up" after the shaves? I really like the process but even as I get better I am not able to get around the chin and even go back over the rest of the face to get what I can see.

Yes, it is very normal in the beginning to clean up with your previous razor, so no shame there. Now, if you come back in three years and claim the same thing that's a different story....

This is usually a technique issue, both stropping and shaving. With the information you've supplied it's hard to say if it's the razor or the user. How many shaves has the razor seen? How does the razor shave - what are the sensations ie pulling, not cutting, etc? Did you attempt to hone it yourself, and if so how? All these questions will help us determine what the problem may be.

The razor is just brand new, and then one that is quite old. I have been using both alternatively. I have been stropping very lightly about ten or so time on belt then leather. The razor was purchased from SRD mid December. The angle I have been trying for the just something less more than flat. Certainly less than 15 degrees. I seem to do alright on the cheeks and even a bit on the throat. Not so much on the chin of course but working on it. I don't have a pattern that I use each time as some days I don't "feel it" so I change direction.

Originally Posted by okiwen

The razor is just brand new, and then one that is quite old. I have been using both alternatively. I have been stropping very lightly about ten or so time on belt then leather. The razor was purchased from SRD mid December. The angle I have been trying for the just something less more than flat. Certainly less than 15 degrees. I seem to do alright on the cheeks and even a bit on the throat. Not so much on the chin of course but working on it. I don't have a pattern that I use each time as some days I don't "feel it" so I change direction.

First, were you previously getting close and comfortable shaves with these razors?

Second, try increasing your strop counts. I'm not sure what you mean by "belt" - do you mean a material strop (like linen, canvas or webbing) or an actual belt? If you answer belt, please don't strop on it if you have the real thing. Anyway, most of us do lap counts around 30 material and 50 leather. My routine is 40 linen/60 leather, just as an example.

Third, normal shaving angle can be up to 30 degrees, perhaps more. You can try opening up your angle a bit and see if that helps.

If the answer to #1 is yes, and then #'s 2 & 3 don't help at all you will likely have to have your razors rehoned.

Keep it going Tyler. You're doing great.

I used my straight and my cartridge simultaneously for about four months. As I got more comfortable with the straight I did more of my face with it and less with the cartridge. There's no shame at all in backtracking to your previous hardware as you learn the straight. Or maybe there is, and I should be deeply, deeply ashamed.

I wouldn't worry about it. It's a long learning curve, and the slope levels out as you get closer to good. Eventually you'll be one of the poor souls chasing perfection, like most of us afflicted bretheren here.

Best wishes to you!

Originally Posted by roughkype

I used my straight and my cartridge simultaneously for about four months. As I got more comfortable with the straight I did more of my face with it and less with the cartridge. There's no shame at all in backtracking to your previous hardware as you learn the straight. Or maybe there is, and I should be deeply, deeply ashamed.

I wouldn't worry about it. It's a long learning curve, and the slope levels out as you get closer to good. Eventually you'll be one of the poor souls chasing perfection, like most of us afflicted bretheren here.

Best wishes to you!

To tell you the truth, I wish I hadn’t been so stubborn and had resorted back to a disposable while learning! However; it’s just not in my genes!

With that said, I’m glad that I’ve taken the road I have! My only regret is that I wish I'd hadn’t done it many years ago!

I'm also glad that Tyler is enjoying that Blade! Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

Well my technique is has gotten alittle better with stretching and I stopped using a cartridge razor. To clean up my neck or face which is amazIng it helps to adopt the scythe and guillotine strokes for my neck so it's so far so good I still have a lot to learn thanks for the great compliments

Truth be told Tyler I have been shaving for right at a year now, and I still have to clean up with a DE if I want a smooth neck. And I expect that I will have to continue to do this my whole life. The reason being is that the hair on my neck, on either side of my jugular, grows straight toward my ears. And to try and do a ATG shave with a straight razor is impossible. I have even been to the barber a couple of times for a straight razor shave, and he has to clean up that area with a DE. I have found that with practice I have gotten a little bit better at getting this area "smoother". But it still isn't perfect. Some of us guys just have some weird hair growth.

So don't give up hope. And there is no shame whatsoever in touching up with a DE.

Nathan