Thread: Trying to get a smooth edge.

Hi guys,


2) I have a DE razor which I take with me when travelling.

The truth is that the shaves I get from my DE razor are way

smoother than my straight razor shaves. Is it normal?

I finish my razors on a 12k Naniwa and CROX but I still

don't get smooth shaves like my DE razor gives. Do you believe

there is something I do wrong?


Thanks.

What maybe wrong is that your straight is not properly honed :<0) Of course to get any serious help we will need more info like, who set the bevel and or is it set? How many razors have you honed ? Is this your first touch up ? Have you ever used a pro honed straight?

Touch ups on a hone sound easy enough but seriously, bad stropping can make the whole straight razor experience a pain in the face. Another thing that would help your learning curve is to find a mentor within driving range. Seeing as you don't have your location posted we can't find you so.......

The short answer is "Yes". The longer answer is that it could be any number of things. For instance: Is the razor 'shave ready' (honed by a professional before you finish it)? Do you keep your angle below 30° (a spine width)? Do you apply minimal pressure? Has your stropping undone the honing? Is your lather adequate? Etc.

If the answer to #1 is yes, I'd get it professionally rehoned, then try it right back from them before you touch it to a strop or anything else, except a tissue to get any oil off and running hot water.

(10pups types faster than I do).

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

The short answer is "Yes". The longer answer is that it could be any number of things. For instance: Is the razor 'shave ready' (honed by a professional before you finish it)? Do you keep your angle below 30° (a spine width)? Do you apply minimal pressure? Has your stropping undone the honing? Is your lather adequate? Etc.

If the answer to #1 is yes, I'd get it professionally rehoned, then try it right back from them before you touch it to a strop or anything else, except a tissue to get any oil off and running hot water.

(10pups types faster than I do).

Cause I don't think I just type :<0)

I was the same when I began. Now it is the opposite. Get better, smoother results with the straight. Can't go back. It really is something you have to stick with to get good results. A big factor, as already mentioned, is your razor shave ready.

Thank you all for replying.

I've bought a professionally honed razor.
It shaves like the razors I've honed my myself.
I have a vintage Tuckmar that shaves better than
the professionally honed razor.

I've honed many razors. I get sharp edges but not
very face friendly edges.

I set the bevel of my razors.

I use my razor at about a 30 degree angle.

I believe my stropping technique is fine.

Thanks a lot.

You say your stropping technique is "fine" but how do you know? Did you come to that conclusion watching YouTube videos or have you been mentored? As has been stated by 10pups, list your location so that someone close to you could offer to help otherwise we are just guessing and listing possible problems/solutions.

I use the traditional TPT to make sure I strop correctly and efficiently. I put little pressure and my strop has a nice drag. I give my razors thirty strokes minimum. No, I haven't watched any stropping videos on youtube. I've only watched Lynn stropping. I'm afraid I'm not in the US, I'm in Greece. Thanks a lot.

Well something is wrong but it must be a small thing. We have some members in Greece and let's hope they chime in to help. You could search them out in the members list and send them a PM. Right now I would say you could test your straight with a hanging hair test. It should cut your hair as well as your DE blade does. If it does then it is your technique. If it doesn't then it's either your honing and/or stropping. That would help narrow it down a little.

I use Ducks and I shaved a long time off the 8k Norton. When I bought a 12k Nani it made my blades sharper but more harsh. Then I got a Zulu and it smoothed everything back out. There are still way too many factors for us to help online.

It sounds like your doing everything right but that doesn't mean you are. You should be able to get a better shave from your straight than what your describing. Then again maybe your just one of those guys that likes a DE better than a straight :<0)

I am by no means anywhere close to experienced enough to give advice but I have seen and read a few things that made a difference for myself. Stropping is huge. Strop immediately prior to the shave, use linen then leather. Some metals are harder than others and some more responsive to strops than others. I have a vintage solingen that gets right off of 15 laps on linen and 50 laps on latigo and shaves like butter. My hart steel razor won't budge unless I do at least 20-30 laps on linen and 80+ laps on latigo. It's just what it is I suppose but it's noticeable. Just the weight of the blade on a taught strop.