Thread: what next?

Originally Posted by superfly

I see you are registered March 2006. If you are using straight razor from the day you registered, you are lacking experience. Straight razor is very difrerent from every other shaving system, in terms it takes time, effort and practice to master, both sharpening and shaving. That is why it is a dying breed. People are having less and less time, and are not willing to spend it learning the ropes of straight razor. That is why Gillette's DE slap-the-fresh-one system had such success and power to replace the most powerfull shaving tool.

You will need some time, both shaving and honing, to trully experience straight razor. I'd say under at least a year spent with it, you are not knowing it's true potentials...

patience...

Nenad

Kinda makes you wonder if the razor wasn't the starting gun for the hectic, gotta-do-it-now, hurryhurryhurry, no-time-to-waste, can't stop and smell the roses (or the coral Skin Food, at least) rat race we find ourselves in, and to which we've all become accustomed.

1. a & b in that order of use. Prep well, strop well, and stretch as others have described. A narrow coticule works very well especially on razors that are not true from end to end. Maybe wait on the Shapton Pro series if $ are tight.
Monte

I'm also using the 4k/8k and no other honing tools, and your progress (with both honing and shaving) pretty well describes my own. I've been at it for about 5 weeks.

I will say, though, that my results are steadily improving: I am suddenly getting that soft area under the chin pretty darn well, and am managing obliquely-against-the-grain on the mustache area. Somehow, too, my neck is no longer raw. On the one hand, I'm sure a better-honed edge would make it all easier; on the other hand, it is clear that my gradual improvement in shaving skills is beginning to make up some of that difference.

My biggest strides just lately seem to come from more prep, from more accurate stretching, and from better acquaintance with all of my face's "zones." Also, I"m stropping 20x on the linen and 60x on the leather, plus ten more laps before by second and third shaving passes.

Best,
Deepweeds

All very good advice given, the only thing I would add is it might be the razor. Do you have more than one? I would suggest getting a shave ready razor from a member to compare. If that razor is not shaving your tough spots then it not the razors fault. Everything has a learning curve and a keen razor from a member needs to be stroped properly. Keep at it and keep practicing until you get it right. It really is worth it.

Glen

Your razor must pass the HHT BEFORE! you use the strop.

It sounds like your chin is like mine, really tough. So, pay a lot of attention to getting your beard saturated with water.

If your razor is shaving most of your face OK then that points to prep and technique.

From here on only use 1/5, 1/5, 1/5 on the razors if you think they need it. But you should really be focused on prep and technique. If it does not improve in 3 weeks then lets us know.