Thread: Hello everyone! Need help!

Hello!

Since childhood I've ALWAYS wanted to lather and shave with a straight razor. Just looked so smooth and clean in the movies and on TV.

I've now shaved with a straight razor twice, a Dovo 6/8" Best Quality razor purchased from StraightRazorDesign.com. I did not purchase a strop nor use one, as the website indicated the razor would come professionally sharpened.

Here is my problem: the razor doesn't seem to "freely glide" against my skin. Sometimes it does, most the time it doesn't. Instead, I get a bit of pulling and tugging, and I think it has to do with my angle of attack or pre-shave prep.

Pre-Shave Prep:
-Shower
-Exfoliate face
-Hand scrub cream
-Lather Jack Black Cream + shave soap together and apply

Let me know what you guys think. It almost feels as if proper lubrication is missing from my face when I shave.

All the best, and good to meet you!
Daniel

Even though the razor came shave ready, you still need to strop it after every use.

Originally Posted by johnmrson

Even though the razor came shave ready, you still need to strop it after every use.

Part of the reason I avoided purchasing one was price. Is there a $35 strop worthy of purchase?

I dont have one but this sight has a few that come highly recommended by those who use them. 3" "Bid Daddy" Leather Strop

Unfortunately you need a strop. It is an essential part of your straight shaving gear. I haven't used the one that backtobasics has linked but I am a fan of the wider 3 inch strops.

Looks easy in the movies, but in reality, it is something you need to learn over a period of time. A strop is essential, as is a good lather. There are cheap strops out there, poor man's strop it think? Probably a good way to start, most new guys cut their strop, so no point paying a fortune on one till you get the knack. Hang in there, be patient. You are at the best site to learn, and it is worth the effort.

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment Good call Grazor I forgot about Whipped Dog (they make the poor mans strop) I personally like a 3" strop but it is a great way to go on the cheap.

Hi and welcome to the forum

You are only 2 shaves in so I would suspect that your shaving technique and quality of lather you can make is more of an issue than razor sharpness at this point. For angle try using a gap of about 2 blade widths between your face and the spine of the razor for starters and adjust from there if needed. You need to make a nice thick lather with a constancy like whipped cream and not too dry. If the lather is too dry the razor will stick and skip. It is also a good idea to be stretching your skin while shaving.

To help maintain you razor you do need a strop to use before each shave. When you are starting out stropping can be a double edged sword in that generally your technique is not so good and you can possibly dull a razor with poor stropping. Unfortunately the only way to learn stropping is to do it and over time get it down correctly. The only thing I can say about which strop to get is to try and find a 3 inch one that is in your budget range. That way you don't have to deal with learning the X stroke while stropping which makes things a bit easier. Be prepared to learn strop repair as while learning we all have made a few mistakes which does nothing to help the blade sharpness either.

Bob

G'Day Dan and welcome.

I have two 'Big Mama' strops - one Latigo and one English bridle - both lovely but different.

I use the wool felt x 40 laps and 60 x leather prior to shaving and 20 x felt after.

Stropping is a vital aspect of this sport.

Hope things get better for you.

Originally Posted by Danforz

Part of the reason I avoided purchasing one was price. Is there a $35 strop worthy of purchase?

Originally Posted by backtobasics

I dont have one but this sight has a few that come highly recommended by those who use them. 3" "Bid Daddy" Leather Strop

I have one and it is an excellent starter strop. This vendor sells replacement leather if you cut it learning how. It's good to get 3" because then you don't have to learn the X pattern while stropping. Here's a stropping video: