Thread: Incredibly Frustrated / Thinking of quitting after 6 shaves.

Everything's been said, but here's another vote for getting a mentor. .

I appreciate the advice and kind words from all.

I had to just walk away from it for awhile...

I had done an HHT after that awful shave (even post stropping) and it split hairs rather than cleaved them.

In that vein, I decided to strop the daylights out of it, and do "corrective action" as I had seen it described in another thread.

20 on canvas

40 on leather with pressure

30 on canvas

60 on leather no pressure

30 on canvas

120 on leather no pressure


After that run of stropping, I believe that I have succeeded in doing more than making my arm tired. I was able to consistently pass HHT from heel to toe and everywhere in between. I hope to tackle it again tomorrow.

I understand that I wasn't going to get a fantastic shave each time, but I also wasn't expecting for my 5th or 6th shave to be significantly worse than my 3rd (Which was my best so far, TBH).

I'll keep plugging away, and I hop to pick up another razor from Larry in the next couple weeks, so I can start a rotation. After that, I hope to learn honing and restoration in the coming months...there's an antiques district in the next town over. When I went there last week, I saw well over 40 razors in various states of disrepair, along with a 7 day Clauss set... ^_^.

Thanks again. This really is a wonderful community. I truly do apologize for my previous attitude.

EDIT: Just found 3 other members in my area...and one of them seems to be very active. Maybe I'll send them a PM or something this week.

If it took that much I'd recommend you send it to be honed, IMHO no amount of stropping will fix a razor that is not shave ready to begin with. Why leave an unknown variable in the equation? Once you know for sure it is shave ready you can focus on the technique.


Also, keep in mind that nobody became an expert overnight, Mozart didn't write concertos' his first time out on a Piano, he had to learn to play just like everyone else.. Hang in there it DOES get better

I'm a beginner myself a half year into it and feel your pain. It is not an easy skill to learn and the proper maintenance of the tools does nothing to help you along the way. You have enough to learn just in the shave itself to headache over the sharpness of the edge. Tell you what, if you promise to stick with it I will hone your razor for nothing until you gain enough confidence to learn to do it yourself. Just put er in an envelope and include return shipping. You might want to purchase a second razor to use during the days while the other is out for maintenance. I can hone er up and return it to you next day.

Daryl Fortney
419 E Ponce De Leon Ave - Apt B
Decatur, GA 30030

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

If it took that much I'd recommend you send it to be honed, IMHO no amount of stropping will fix a razor that is not shave ready to begin with.

I bought it shave ready from whipped dog.



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I'm quite sure it was shave ready, but your six shaves and possible poor stropping may have taken it down a notch. It took me a month, and some help from a mentor, before my stropping was helping the edge instead of dulling it.

I agree, your best bet is to have it re-sharpend to shave ready. When you receive it shave with it without stropping and see how it goes... You are at a difficult stage where you don't know if it is your technique or the razor, we have all been there!

If it is hurting, or skipping, or whatever, stop and re-assess...

Do you have Lynn's shaving dvd??

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

So what you are saying is you can't do something every man did say in 1880.

I really doubt that "everyone" was straight shaving. Most I think either grew a beard or went to a barber.

Originally Posted by geauxtig3rs

I had to just walk away from it for awhile...


I understand that I wasn't going to get a fantastic shave each time, but I also wasn't expecting for my 5th or 6th shave to be significantly worse than my 3rd (Which was my best so far, TBH).

Walking away when frustrated was a very good decision.

Sorry to say this but if your experience is anything like mine you will find that you will have a 60th shave that is worse than you 30th shave or even a 60th worse than your tenth and so on. There are so many variables involved in Str8 shaving that forgetting any of them at any time and your shaves are going to be worse, even if you're more experienced. In my journey to learn to shave I have noticed that everytime I have thought I had it all figured out, I found out just how wrong I was. Relax, pay attention, and proceed slowly and before you know it you will be saying wow what a shave 98% of the time.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

+1 to thebigspendur's advice.

I'm betting it's dull from improper stropping and/or technique, sounds like a rolled edge. Before you throw in the towel for good get your razor rehoned and give it another go. Check for honemeisters in your area or send it back to Larry to have it rehoned. When you get it back be sure to strop it carefully and slowly and try to tackle one part of your face at the time, only moving on when you master that section. Good luck

+1 to Ryan and the Big Spender! I believe that Ryan's advice is sound!! My only addition would be to ask the honemeister if you (should) strop before use!! Some want you to, some don't!! I know that when I'm sending a razor out for a friend to try I always ask them to just rinse off the oil and give it a go. After that I encourage them to feel free to strop it according to their usual routine before the next use and let me know what they think!

Personally I feel that a razor should be tried As Is so that there is a reference point established!

Don't give up! It just takes time! As far as the left hand goes, I may get beat up on this one, but you might try using the Right hand on both sides. I tried and tried but to no avail was I ever able to use the left hand! I've been shaving only with my right hand for 2 1/2 years and love my shaves!! With that said, the first time my then 17 year old son shaved with a straight, he could use both hands very easily and the little turd didn't get a single nick, cut, weeper or and razor burn! Boy was Dad Proud! I wish I would have been so lucky!

Keep at it, it'll come just not this week!