Thread: Please Help. Terrible Shaving Experience.

I recently purchased the 6/8 Renassaince SS razor. It shaved ok right out of the box with stropping only. Yet, I could tell I could get it better. I used about 20 passes on 8k and it shaved like a dream.

Replying to myself here, but basically my coticules arrived.

There's two and one of them is double-sided: a blue and yellow/white and another, thinner blue one.

I gave my razor a few goes on the yellow/white and then stropped. It's still seemed dull and whilst trying to shave it just tore right across without really taking any hairs with it.

I've stropped it some more and may keep doing that before I try it again tomorrow. I don't understand it though - it seems LX got it so sharp when I sent it to him.

Originally Posted by rum

Thanks Lynn. I don't have a Norton but the coticules I am awaiting are two - one blue and another white/yellow one.
Following LX's advice, I am hoping to give it a go on the white/yellow stone first. Still no sign of them yet so I don't know when I'll have them.

Originally Posted by rum

I don't understand it though - it seems LX got it so sharp when I sent it to him.

We all say that for the first six weeks or so...

Your razor could be either overhoned--have a weak wire edge--or too dull.

You may want to start a seperate thread so those with more knowledge of coticules can coach you through the process of restoring your edge.

If it was me, and the edge had recently been shaving well, I'd say that a few pyramid-style sequences were in order. Like maybe three to five strokes on the blue, followed by 10 on the yellow... Do that twice, using very, very light pressure--just enough that you can keep the blade flat. (I use a Norton, so I'm trying to translate this to the Belgians without ever having used one... ) Then test shave. Repeat as necessary.

Best bet is to start a thread in the hones forum.

Josh

Originally Posted by majurey

I was going too slow and not stretching the skin enough. The strokes I was using were multiple, short, and slow. I took a leap of faith and decided to make the strokes longer, a little faster, and the whole thing went much more smoothly as a result. I guess even a sharp shave-ready blade needs some momentum to slice through stubble smoothly.

I, too, find long strokes more comfortable. I particularly get the razor burn on my chin and neck if I take short strokes. The other thing that helps plow through the whiskers is an angled blade. On my chin, my first WTG pass is with the heel leading a bit, the XTG is with the tip leading and the ATG is heel leading again. That seems to help slice through the whiskers making a nice smooth cut with little irritation.