Frustrated beginner!

[jmgerraughty]

Hey Everyone,

I've been shaving with a straight razor for a little over a year and a half, and I'm still frustrated by my inability to get as close of a shave as I could with my Gillette Mach 3. I'm currently using this razor (a present from my girlfriend): The Art of Shaving - Straight Razors - Stainless Steel Straight Razor. I was told that my razor needed honing, so I went out and bought a Norton 4k/8k hone, and while it definitely improved, I'm still having to go over spots over and over again, which is killing my face!

I've played with everything from angle, to stroke size, to different passes, to whatever oil/soap/brush techniques I've been offered, but I still can't get a close shave. I'm starting to wonder if my razor itself isn't good for my face. Would you guys recommend this one over my current one? Thiers Issard Singing Straight Razor 5/8", White Scales | Fendrihan Shaving Store

Thanks,
Jason

[Cangooner]

Hi Jason,

Sorry to hear of your difficulties, but you have definitely come to the right place, and we'll do what we can to get you on track.

First thing first: hold the horses on buying another razor! The one you have probably is not shave-ready, and never was. My #1 piece of advice is to send the razor you have out to a pro to be honed *immediately*! It won't cost much at all and the difference will likely be immense. There are a number of pro honers who advertise their services in the classified here:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

While you have a hone (and a good one at that - many of us use the 4/8 as the foundation of our honing progression), if you don't know what a truly shave-ready edge feels like, you're chasing an invisible target.

[ScoutHikerDad]

What he said. Send it out to one of our many hone-meisters. When you get it back, I'll bet that you will be astonished by the improvement in your shaves (not to mention less razor-burn!). You will also have a good "reference razor," assuming your stropping regimen is sound, to support your honing efforts.That's how many of us did/do it!

[PigHog]

From your post, am I to understand that you honed it yourself some time ago (a full year and a half ago, if you did this as soon as you got the razor) and have been shaving with that blade ever since?

Firstly, had you ever honed a razor prior to that? If not then the quality of that first hone is likely to be questionable. Most people buy a separate razor to learn with before honing their everyday shaver(s).

Secondly, regardless of how well you honed it, a year and a half is a long time to go on just one razor just with stropping as maintenance. Especially as a beginner. It's probably duller now than before you honed it!

I would say it needs another honing, preferably by a professional.

That other razor isn't necessarily going to be any better or worse. I'd try and get your own taken care of first but it's always nice to have a second razor.

[thebigspendur]

Not much to add here. Like the others said, the razor you have isn't shave ready and that's probably your problem. Get it professionally honed.

[stingray]

Something else you might try in the future is the videos by gssixgun and lynn Abrams on Youtube...these are the best training aid I have seen thusfar .
kStingray

[AlliumSativum]

Just an addition really; Get yourself a shavette and a quality DE blade and have a try with that. The results are twofolded, because you have an instant shave ready razor, that will help you if you are unsure how good your real straight razor is.

A cheap shavette and a small pack of DE blades aint gonna break the bank balance and will give you the best idea of how your straight razor performs.

Preparation is the key to straight shaving. A good hot towel, oil, soap. Those three things alone will aid your shave. Simple things like make sure your brush is in HOT water, I use water from the boiled kettle. That same water is used to make the hot towel. That is my only use of water. The blade is wiped with a dry towel between strokes.

The one thing that you cannot be taught, is the contours of your face/chin. You alone must master those. You will eventually get a 'feel' for the razor and bob's your uncle mate.

Good luck.

G.

[Jonah]

Just an addition really; Get yourself a shavette and a quality DE blade and have a try with that. The results are twofolded, because you have an instant shave ready razor, that will help you if you are unsure how good your real straight razor is.

A cheap shavette and a small pack of DE blades aint gonna break the bank balance and will give you the best idea of how your straight razor performs.

Great point, and I would like to add that shaving with a straight razor =/= shaving with a shavette. Though the principal is the same, it is crucial to take your time with the shavette and don't assume it will act and feel the same way a straight razor does. Also, I find it very helpful to rinse the shavette after every pass. The blade protrudes only a hair and the last thing you want to do is lose track of where it is.