Thread: Is it the blade, my skill, or the upkeep?

So I finally tried shaving again with my straight razor tonight, and the results were really unimpressive. Couldn't get it to shave my moustache, and though it was kind of nice to have it contoured to the shape of my jawline near the ears, I'm not sure that it shaved that area much better than my safety razor usually does. Felt flimsy the whole time I was holding it, and I'm not sure if it's because my hair is too wiry for the grind on this thing but I had to use a lot more pressure than I'm used to with the safety razor.

Thing is, I have an h boker co. extra hollow ground razor, and I didn't bother to strop it although it's been sitting (oiled) in a case for months. To be fair, I haven't used it since it was last professionally honed by a local seller/honer of sharp things who does sell shaving equipment, though I'm not sure what the opinion of others are regarding his skills with straight razors.

As things stand, I feel like the straight is too much work and maintenance for it to be worth it at this point in my life. But before I chuck it, any words of wisdom from you lot? Should I be more worried about not stropping before using a recently honed blade, or learning on a blade that's too thin? I'm on sabbatical, so not even a poor man's strop or cheap razor off craigslist for now.

Its easy to get frustrated and give up on a new thing that's not instantly easy. But its more rewarding in the end if you stick out this learning curve, which can be very short with a few good tips. This is a man's hobby, and it takes a man's dedication and perseverance to learn it and enjoy it. Would you have appreciated golf if you shot a 65 your first game?

Tip 1: mail your razor to one of the many guys on here who sharpen razors. A "seller of sharp things" is the wrong guy to get your razor sharpened by, even if he sells shaving equipment.

Tip 2: If you don't follow tip #1, forget about ever enjoying this hobby, because you won't have a clue what a properly sharpened razor can do.

Take tip # 1 from Sheffieldlover. While it is getting honed, read the Library section above, work on your preshave with your DE. Take your time when you get the razor back. Use it along with your DE. There is no hurry in wet shaving. Get a strop and decide on a way to maintain your edge. Use your DE until things are in line with the straight.

If it becomes disappointing or a burden, then don't use it. DE's are a great shave, I just had my first last week.

FWIW [and it's late, so forgive my terseness] --

I don't think my "full hollow" blades are less effective than my half-hollow blades. So I wouldn't blame the grind.

You don't have enough experience to judge whether the blade is sharp, or not. If you were using more pressure than you use on a DE razor, and you _didn't_ get cuts or razor burn, I'd suspect the blade is dull.

If it's dull, stropping (on plain leather) is unlikely to get it really sharp.

So you have two alternatives:

a) get an inexpensive but shave-ready blade from the "Classifieds" here or whippeddog.com, or a new razor from SRD or another vendor who hand-hones everything he sends out, or:

b) send your Boker to one of the guys offering honing services here.

In either case, you'll have a standard for future comparisons.
. .
. . Charles

Well, all of this is just my opinion, but...

There's no such thing as a blade that's too thin, not that I've come across anyway. I'd hazard a guess that it's not shave ready. You seem doubtful of the 'honer of sharp things' abilities. Even if it WAS shave ready months ago, depending on moisture in the air, it may not be now. You really should strop before shaving, but it's not like it won't 'work' if you don't.

I remember when I first shaved with a straight and it was mind blowing, I was way overexcited, there remains embarrassing posts on this forum to show how excited I was. If you are feeling a bit blasé about he whole deal at this point in time, maybe it's not for you?

We are all here to help you every step of the way, almost on a daily basis; you may find, but we're not here to 'convert' you at any cost. have fun and good luck with whatever way you go...

Oh, BTW, there's always DE's

As previously said it sounds like your razor isn't properly honed, so the first prioroty should be to get it honed by someone who knows how to hone a razor. You will also need a strop, that is a must to keep your razor up to shape, otherwise you will maybe get 4-5 shaves before it's pretty useless.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that straight shaving isn't something you master the first time, or second, or third.... it is a learning curve you have to get through before you "master the technique" and start to get shaves that can be compared to what you are used to with your DE. It takes time and determination to get there, but when you do it will all be worth it IMO.

My first shave took about 1 hour, now a few hundred shaves later I can get away with 10 minutes if I need to.

But to get there you must be honest with yourself whether you are ready to spend the time needed to learn this, if you're not I'd recommend to stick with the DE for now, and rather get back to the straight when you feel you're ready.

Good luck

Maybe straights aren't for you & the DE is your option. Nothing wrong with that. You should strop before and after a shave & if the straight razor maintenance isn't something you have time for, then by all means set it to the side...just don't give up on it as a properly honed razor in skilled hands will give a fabulous shave. Now, as mentioned above, the razor doesn't sound like it's "shave ready". Before tossing in the towel, my advice would be to contact a person who hones from the classified's and have them to evaluate the blade and if needed to hone it. Ensure you find someone with a bit of experience as Bokers tend to be "chippy".

I would suggest that there are a lot of things going on here.

1. The honing is in question...hard to say, but it could be the problem.
2. You did not strop it. The blade was oiled, but perhaps whomever oiled it missed some areas, or oiled it after some scale or micro corrosion developed on the edge...regardless, it is a potential component of the problem. Stropping is a very important component of shaving, and anytime there is potential for minor deterioration/damage to an edge, stropping is the first remedy I employ.
3. You sound to be trying straight shaving either for the first time, or for the first time in a while....perhaps your technique is off. Too much pressure and the wrong angle can lead to cuts and poor shaves.

I am inclined to think that the problem may be all of the above.

1. The blade was dull, 2. you did not help it by skipping the strop, 3. it cut poorly so you used more pressure (Not advisable and I suggest that a skilled shaver would have sought other options).

Further, this form of shaving is going to require a bit of time investment from you to learn...mastery takes many years perhaps. That said, once you learn for a few months, it will not take that long to perform a good shave. I find I am getting things done in the morning at about the same rate I did before I started straight shaving. YMMV.

Just going by your last line you might wan't to reexamine your choice to use a straight. It's not for most. We live in a world where folks want instant results and using a straight is the total opposite. if you are willing to spend the time to learn you will be rewarded. Otherwise, as others have said try a DE it is simpler and easier to learn.

Once you make that initial decision then we can talk about straight shaving skills.

I know this sounds harsh but it is the way it is.

Just thought I'd let you know, that I liked it a second time too.