Thread: Straight razor trouble?

Shaving technique: angle and stretching;
Stropping technique: not lifting the spine;

As has been said, these things are important and are, generally, the biggest issues for anyone new to straight razor shaving. Unfortunately some of them (in particular incorrectly stropping) can damage the edge, or at least dull it.

The other thing I'll mention is the width/force issue. I don't know how wide a safety razor is (an inch? 1.5 inches?), but I do know a straight razor is substantially wider (around 3 inches). There's going to be a greater force exerted on the straight from your whiskers compared to a safety simply because there are more whiskers hitting the edge at any one time. This could partially account for the different feeling you are getting, though I wouldn't say it should equate to "tugging".

James.

++++10000000 to Jimbo!

Not lifting the spine...learned that one the hard way...supposedly after I thought I knew how to strop. Was a back to the fundamentals experience for me 4 months ago!!!

thanks for all the tips to answer some questions. Yes i have been stretching my skin whilst shaving. i also have adjusted my stropping as it was wrong. i still get a bit of tugging but ive found that on the left side of my face using my right hand is still awkward i have to go away from some of the traditional grips to get the job done. in fact holding the scales straight in line with the blade seems to give me the best results on the left side of my face. Is this a bad habit to have?

Originally Posted by superjet800

thanks for all the tips to answer some questions. Yes i have been stretching my skin whilst shaving. i also have adjusted my stropping as it was wrong. i still get a bit of tugging but ive found that on the left side of my face using my right hand is still awkward i have to go away from some of the traditional grips to get the job done. in fact holding the scales straight in line with the blade seems to give me the best results on the left side of my face. Is this a bad habit to have?

I don't think there is anything wrong with using any grip that is comfortable and works.

Originally Posted by superjet800

thanks for all the tips to answer some questions. Yes i have been stretching my skin whilst shaving. i also have adjusted my stropping as it was wrong. i still get a bit of tugging but ive found that on the left side of my face using my right hand is still awkward i have to go away from some of the traditional grips to get the job done. in fact holding the scales straight in line with the blade seems to give me the best results on the left side of my face. Is this a bad habit to have?

If you are still holding the tang of the blade not at all, this is how you would have to do it if it was a Kamisori.
If you are holding only the scales I would get out of that part of the habit.......
The traditional grip would be great if your hand articulated and rotated like an industrial robot but it does not.
There are many accepted grips and quite a few safe and effective grips out there that I am sure not everyone knows about me included.
The critical part is having control of the blade, if you have a sound grip on it and are able to move the blade across your face in the proper way
ie. not a slicing motion it is as orthodox as it needs to be.

Here is a link to the Wiki with a few and if you note at the top of the page
"This list is not complete and can be fulfil by each user. Each of us has our own best ways to shave with straight and many grips have different variations. Best way to find out what works for you is to try and practice." (and yes the misspelling is a direct quote)

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...straight_razor

Good point pat, I didn't consider that only the scales may be being held.

Originally Posted by pfries

If you are still holding the tang of the blade not at all, this is how you would have to do it if it was a Kamisori.
If you are holding only the scales I would get out of that part of the habit.......
The traditional grip would be great if your hand articulated and rotated like an industrial robot but it does not.
There are many accepted grips and quite a few safe and effective grips out there that I am sure not everyone knows about me included.
The critical part is having control of the blade, if you have a sound grip on it and are able to move the blade across your face in the proper way
ie. not a slicing motion it is as orthodox as it needs to be.

Here is a link to the Wiki with a few and if you note at the top of the page
"This list is not complete and can be fulfil by each user. Each of us has our own best ways to shave with straight and many grips have different variations. Best way to find out what works for you is to try and practice." (and yes the misspelling is a direct quote)

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...straight_razor

no i am holding the tang and just letting the scales go straight through my open hand

Originally Posted by superjet800

no i am holding the tang and just letting the scales go straight through my open hand

As you can see from the other posts you are doing as many of us do as well,
if you find an odd hold one that works well for an area share it with us.
I still try different techniques and such,
as the old saying goes "there is more than one way to skin a cat" and I will never say I have the best method.

Originally Posted by superjet800

no i am holding the tang and just letting the scales go straight through my open hand

Sounds fine then. If.it feels.right then you'll be right, just don't get overconfident.

If you were stropping bad at first then your razor most likely needs a edge refreshing.

Where are you located? Maybe we can help you find someone local you can meet with.