Thread: I've feel like I have three left hands and I'm right handed!#*£\>!!

Wow I just got my new Dovo and strop from SRD on Thursday. I broke it out this evening and I didn't do as well as I thought it should have. I understood every razor comes from there shave ready. I did the requisite stropping then did all the pre shave. Well I went to shaving or you might call it that. I hope I didn't ruin the edge. Any way I shaved two WTG passes. Didn't dare try ATG. It was not to great of a shave. The side burns and cheeks went well, but the neck was not good at all. I quit re-lathered and did a third pass with my EJ DE, and that felt like butter smooooth. Cleaned up the straight and did 20 strops on fabric and then another 50 on the leather. I've read all I can and watched many videos but I'm not sure where I stand. Advise please, discuss. Oh yeah I didn't cut myself and that's a plus.

Sounds like it didn't go too bad. I also have issues with my neck, my face is pretty much baby butt smooth, but my neck hair grows multiple directions and there are heavy contours which don't really allow a SR to get to without some odd hand holds. I'm sure there are better ways to tackle them, but I think I'd have to see a video of someone doing it on a more difficult neck shape. Doesn't sound like you'd have messed up the razor. If you didn't feel like the shave was very smooth, try more water in your brush. I had that issue with my first shave, and it made it feel like the razor had more friction on my skin then it should've. Anyhow congrats on your new razor and happy shaving. Cheers!

-Dye

Thanks it felt like it wasn't gliding to well and wanted to stick especially on the neck.

How long have you been straight shaving?

While the results are amazing...it's a bit like most things you ever saw someone do that you thought was amazing...it required some practice.

Don't blame the equipment, and realize that you cannot really blame yourself either...it takes practice. Once you get skilled at it, you will likely discover that the destination was worth the long trip

If you are already a skilled shaver, I offer my apologies. I know that my first few shaves, while fun, had results that were not even as good as my cartridge shaver. However after a few hundred shaves I can say the results are like nothing I have experienced prior

I have never used a DE but I can say it takes time to get a straight down. It took me 3 months before I got comfortable with it. Now I have to keep from taking risks I shouldn't. Things will come natural in time but it does take some time. Sounds like you tried the whole shave at first. I waited a couple of weeks to try my neck. It's the easiest part now. I don't here of any blood letting so it sounds like your doing great, just give it time.

Thank you Unit, for the advice. It was my first time. I've used a shavette a couple of times but never a straight razor. I guess everyone I saw posting how the straight was easier than the shavette I had expectations that weren't realistic.

I'll add this: I'm seven weeks in and I would say my first few weeks, my shaves were not as good as my cartridges. However, with each shave, I noticed improvement which kept me going. Now, I'm doing things, such as how I hold my razor, that I wouldn't have dreamed doing on those first few shaves. It will come, almost without you knowing. Last night, I ALMOST got underneath my chin enough for it to be BBS but not quite. Which makes me very excited for my next shave!

Thanks 10Pups and mrdubs, just hope I didnt strop away a good edge.

Originally Posted by okbow68

I understood every razor comes from there shave ready. I did the requisite stropping then did all the pre shave.

okbow,

I think your shave went south when you did the above. When they come shave ready, that means nothing is required before the first shave, no stropping, etc.. That has all been done, in this case, by Lynn. Just do your face prep, etc. and then you'll experience a pro honed edge, which will give you a benchmark for your future edges.

It's hard to say whether you can bring the edge back with stropping, but you can try. Light pressure, very level with the blade on the strop, and take it slow. If that doesn't work, you may have to use that certificate for a free honing.

This video by Lynn will help.