Thread: Best str8 shave to date

Even though I started with a str8 about two years ago I've only started shaving with a str8 regularly very recently. I have yet to get a completely comfortable BBS shave. However, this morning was probably my best effort to date. Using my cheapo Zeva I went 60/120 on stropping cloth and leather as opposed to my normal 40/80. I soaked in a hot bath a while and then used Somerset's English shave oil (5 drops) which I let just sit on my face while I attempted to build a lather using Van Der Hagen soap. I was able to get a fairly thick lather that didn't dry out very quickly.

I did a full face WTG pass, an XTG pass on my cheeks, an ATG pass & finally another WTG pass, lathering between each. Finally I finished up with some Neutrogena Men Razor Defense post shave lotion. For once my face doesn't feel scraped, I ended up with no nics or cuts and I'm actually happy with my shave even though some stubble was left.

It's awesome when it all comes together, or most of it at least. I felt the same way the first day I didn't have severe razor burn after my shave... like I conquered something big... proud of my shave all day. I think this is a shaving method for perfectionists or those who love problem solving for sure... I certainly haven't found the end of the rabbit hole yet.

When I use my multi-blade mass market uber-razor, shaving is a chore to get through. This morning I had a "shave" that I actually felt a sense of accomplishment about.

Originally Posted by K37

I I think this is a shaving method for perfectionists or those who love problem solving for sure... I certainly haven't found the end of the rabbit hole yet.

Well, this perfectionist is on a serious budget, that being said I'll be posting pics of my full setup shortly.

So the current set up I'm using is this:



The core of the set was this: Amazon.com: Wooden 4 Pc Straight Razor Shaving Set: Health & Personal Care

The soap is just some VanDerHagen from the local grocery store and everything else of note was mentioned in the original post. The scissors are just some standard beard and mustache scissors, again just from a local grocery. The white bottle is Fromm strop conditioner.

The hone which is not in the above pick is just a low cost Arkansas stone I got from Amazon: Amazon.com: Edgeware Natural Arkansas Sharpening Stone: Kitchen & Dining


And more pics:

It's hard to see in the pics, but the blade came with some dark spots of corrosion, which I need to get some Brasso and/or Flitz to finish cleaning up. However after some serious time on the stone, the blade is starting to shave comfortably. I'll probably be saving up for a surgical black Ark as my next razor related purchase, and maybe next year upgrading my razor for one of the Hart steel customs from classicshaving.com

A very generous forum member offered to hone my razor while he sent me a loner blade to use. So I took him up on the offer and now I am patiently waiting for the loaner blade to arrive so that I can send mine off for some much needed TLC.

Since SWMBO will be practing amputation of select body parts if I spend any more $$$ on shaving right now that will have to do. Meanwhile, I threw the Zeva back on my Arkansas stone a honed it some more. After about an hour I got the thing to shave arm / leg hair (and a bit of skin) w/o using any pressure on the blade.

I then proceeded to strop the living snot out of the blade on the webbing portion of my strop. After which I doubled that number of passes on the leather. The following day (Mon) I got an even closer shave with an even lower level of irritation, just a little bit on my lower neck. However, I ended up with about a 3/4" cut just under my goatee. I felt the blade hit a stiff hair, buckle, and jump resulting in the cut. It had already stopped bleeding by the time I reached the styptic. Lesson about even lighter pressure learned.

Tues got another fairly close shave. The razor even glided of Monday's cut w/o opening it. Wed I just used my one remaining fusion cartridge (2nd use) for an even closer shave. And now I'm letting the wild, wire like, somewhat curly stubble grow so I can do some face mapping before the loaner razor arrives.

Ok, I am now using a vintage John Primble straight generously on loan to me while a fellow forum member is giving my "razor"and I now use the term very loosely, some much needed attention in the creation of a decent edge dept.

I thought I knew what shave ready meant before but I was very much mistaken. Using my standard routine to which I have added a witch hazel (dollar store variety) rinse is now providing me shaves without any irritation on ingrowns. I shall weep many tears of sadness when it comes time to return the Primble to her rightful owner.

Been awhile since I posted to this thread which has become my ongoing saga of learning to shave with a cutthroat razor. In my shave of the day posts I've showed my current setup which includes the Vintage John Primble 1091 by Belknap Hardware and Manufacturing of Louisville, KY I have been granted the use of.

I'm now Halfway through my third week of using nothing but the straight to shave with. This week I'm following some advice I read on the forum and skipping the preshave oil to remove that variable from my shave to concentrate on my stropping, lathering, and shaving. While I have yet to get get the elusive BBS shave, my shaves are of a quality I'm not accused of skipping shaving when I arrive at work. I am getting shaves with little to no irritation and a lack of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

I say no irritation, until this morning - I made my usual lather and it seemed fine wet, slick, and lasting, and then went for my standard weekday one-pass shave. After my main N-S pass I decided to go back and clean up a few spots, but I did not re-lather. I should have known something was very wrong when the cold water rinse to remove the rest of the VDH soap stung like (*insert euphemism here*). The generic witch hazel was worse, and a double round my after shave balm barely calmed things down. So here I sit two hours later still feeling this morning's shave in a less than pleasant fashion.

The moral of this tale being NEVER DRY SHAVE WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR!!!!!! If there's no lather on the skin, stay away. Re-lather often and liberally. Now go and enjoy your laughter at my expense. Have a great day everybody.

Originally Posted by LiamPBoyle

The moral of this tale being NEVER DRY SHAVE WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR!!!!!! If there's no lather on the skin, stay away. Re-lather often and liberally. Now go and enjoy your laughter at my expense. Have a great day everybody.

They don't call it wets shaving for nothin' !