Almost there?

Good evening gents!

I have been wet shaving for almost 4 months now. I started off with a Merkur 180 and soon moved onto a Gillette Slim Adjustable and a Gillette Fatboy. I have also just obtained a very good condition 1939 Shick injector I have yet to try out. I think I've "caught the bug" because I have accumulated 8 different razors in hopes to find what works best for me.

Back on topic, two months into this adventure I purchased a Feather AC SS model and realized how much I enjoyed the idea of a straight over a DE. Although I am satisfied with the shave I get from both my Feather AC and My DEs with Feather blades, I wanted to move onto what people say is "the real thing". I have been able to get my hands on a Wester bros No. 23 Best as well as a Dovo 5/8" straight both deemed "shave ready".

Although both are sharp enough to cut hair on my arm with ease (as a test) when I went to shave with them I felt it tugged quite a bit. Later, while conducting another sharpness test I found that neither blade could cut hairs on my arms midway (I.E not touching skin just midway between skin and end of hair). Since then I have used a pasted strop (black dovo paste) and then re-stropped the blades on my leather to see if it helped. It seems they are slightly sharper but still not enough.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what I may be doing wrong?

Assuming that the razors are really shave ready, I suspect its just the fact that you are new to this and still have to get your technique perfected.

Do you feel the tugging on WTG as well as XTG passes?

Don't be too concerned about cutting hairs midway...you're never doing that when you're shaving. The real test is the shave.

Its hard to explain, but what works for me is having the blade in contact with the skin, but just touching....almost no pressure at all.

I've never used a feather, but I'm sure someone will chime in here soon enough that has.

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Originally Posted by joebehar

Assuming that the razors are really shave ready, I suspect its just the fact that you are new to this and still have to get your technique perfected.

Do you feel the tugging on WTG as well as XTG passes?

Don't be too concerned about cutting hairs midway...you're never doing that when you're shaving. The real test is the shave.

Its hard to explain, but what works for me is having the blade in contact with the skin, but just touching....almost no pressure at all.

I've never used a feather, but I'm sure someone will chime in here soon enough that has.

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Thank you for the response.

I feel tugging and pulling on the WTG and the XTG passes. I have not attempted an ATG pass with the straights because I was afraid it would hurt too much. I have very sensitive skin.

It is possible that the razors are not to blame and it is my technique. Although, even being new to this, I can sufficiently shave WTG, XTG & ATG with my Feather no problem without getting cuts/irritation. I am also 100% ambidextrous (Can write left or right handed). I do not have trouble with holding my angle or keeping the straights steady/not shaking. Just like when I use my feather or DEs I let the razor do the cutting and use little pressure.

This may be worth mentioning. I use a slightly harsher ~20 degree angle while using my feather and slightly > angle when I tried using the straights. Should I not be doing this?

Thanks again for any insight. I have no one else to seek guidance/direction from.

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Originally Posted by Locke

I have been able to get my hands on a Wester bros No. 23 Best as well as a Dovo 5/8" straight both deemed "shave ready".

Although both are sharp enough to cut hair on my arm with ease (as a test) when I went to shave with them I felt it tugged quite a bit. Later, while conducting another sharpness test I found that neither blade could cut hairs on my arms midway (I.E not touching skin just midway between skin and end of hair). Since then I have used a pasted strop (black dovo paste) and then re-stropped the blades on my leather to see if it helped. It seems they are slightly sharper but still not enough.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what I may be doing wrong?

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"Deemed shave ready" by whom? Your face is telling you they need work. Trust your face. You may have stropped them incorrectly and blunted them. They may just have never been really sharp. It is really helpful to have someone who is skilled and recognized by the sr community as such to hone your first razors. It will show you what sharp is and tell you if your stropping technique needs more practice. There are many vendors here able to take your razor to truly shave ready. Your straight razors should be as sharp as your Feather. Likely they will shave more smoothly when you have perfected your shaving technique.

If the Feather works and the straights don't, it is not your technique. Your straight razors need honing.

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Originally Posted by jaswarb

"Deemed shave ready" by whom? Your face is telling you they need work. Trust your face. You may have stropped them incorrectly and blunted them. They may just have never been really sharp. It is really helpful to have someone who is skilled and recognized by the sr community as such to hone your first razors. It will show you what sharp is and tell you if your stropping technique needs more practice. There are many vendors here able to take your razor to truly shave ready. Your straight razors should be as sharp as your Feather. Likely they will shave more smoothly when you have perfected your shaving technique.

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First, the whom. An ebay seller (anticipates shouts from the crowd) haha. Now I know ebay is famous for misleading newbies. However, I had anticipated them to be not shave ready. Besides sending my razors out to be pro honed is there anything else I can do? I am very independent and with the exception of posting on the forum I have done all my research independently. Would a chromium oxide pasted strop work a bit better than dovo black for refining it that last bit? If I can avoid bringing in others help besides verbal direction it is always preferred. This is something I've always imagined mastering overtime on my own. I'm not trying to offend anyone its just in my personality to want to do things on my own for a sense of accomplishment.

Thanks again guys

Join the crowd you are in good company. There is enough guidance on this site to get you on the path of honing. Practice and your own dexterity determine how well you do. Be prepared for an investment of time and at least modest money. You could start with a balsa or wool felt strop to paste the green stuff on. You could also purchase a barber hone which might do the trick. What you first need to accomplish is evaluate the condition of the razor so you know how best to proceed.

You've gotten some great advice.

After reading your latest posts, I agree with the others. It sounds like your razors need honing.

Your eBay seller may have said "shave ready" but unfortunately, you know nothing of his/her level of ability to hone.

I'm not in a position to advise on honing as all I do is use a barber hone and I'm new at that too. I have definitely noticed that a few laps on the barber hone keep my edges at peak performance, but then again, they were all honed by a trusted guy.

You will find this community very open and giving. If you want to learn how to hone, you will get a ton of advice and guidance. I certainly appreciate your wanting to be completely self sufficient.

Browse the honing section of the forum, ask some questions and I'm sure you will achieve your goals.

Thank you all for the advice.

I'll start looking over the honing area of the forum to find out more info on barber hones.

One last question, if I make a pasted strop with Chromium Oxide would a linen side be fine or do I have to make it like the balsa ones in the how to guide?

The problem with linen pasted strops arises from technique. "Pull tight strop light" or you will round the edge. The balsa is a little easier and is what I use now. Even leather paddle strops with paste can be difficult for those of us heavy handed stroppers. Plenty of people use green goo or diamond spray on linen or wool felt or cotton. It is kinda a YMMV thing.