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.

Originally Posted by Grazor

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.

Same here.

In the beginning, my control shaves with the DE were smoother than with my straights, but ultimately the shaves with my straights became even, or better than with my DE.


But just looking at the little time and effort it takes to get good shaves with a DE, it is easy to understand why DE razors became so popular and overtook straights as preferred shaving instrument.

Originally Posted by ssg1

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.

Are you saying that your DE shave is closer than a straight or more comfortable? You have been a member for some time and as you mention that you use a DE when travelling I assume that you use a straight at other times - therefore I doubt that your problems are due to inexperience. Also I don't think it's unusual to get a close and smooth shave with a DE - so the fact that your straight shave is not as good is down to either sharpness or smoothness. If you are getting a much closer shave with a DE then the problem probably lies with your razor's sharpness. If the problem is one of comfort then you need to look at the edge under magnification and see if there's a problem there.

As you are in Europe why not try Neil Miller in the UK via his website 'The Strop Shop'. Explain what your problem is and Neil will soon identify if the blade has a problem edge. If it doesn't then you will know that Neil is certain to send it back with a very good (sharp/smooth) re-hone. It's probably worthwhile paying the price just to establish that benchmark.

I get closer shaves with my straight but smoother shaves with the DE razor.
Thanks a lot.