Straight razor trouble?

Hello,

Let me first say this site has been very helpful as a non-member, but I had to become one to address a few problems I've been having.
First, I have been shaving with a safety razor for just under a year now. Before I even put safety razor to face I read Michael Ham's book, Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving - Sixth Edition: Shaving Made Enjoyable. I even go back to it from time to time for extra tips and tricks. The whole reason I got into shaving with a safety razor was to get the angles right and work up to shaving with a straight razor, so a few months ago I purchased a Dovo Diamant and strop from Straight Razor Designs. I then did some research and stropped the blade and lathered in all the methods I have been using for a year (shower, pre shave soap, lather and shave) and the only way I was able to not get a horrible tugging was to do one pass with the safety razor then move to the straight. Even after that it still was fairly tuggy. Now, when I receive a razor from this site its already honed. However, is it possible to require a sharper hone? With a safety razor I use Feather blades because with my thick beard they were the only ones that got through my stubble without tugging. I know feather blades are some of the sharpest out there - is my razor not sharp enough?
Also, what do you use the nylon side of the strop for? If I used this instead of leather would it help?

Hi and welcome. If you got the razor from SRD it should be sharp enough and it will more likley be an angle/pressure issue. The swap over is easier from the de but it will still take a bit. The nylon is the equivalent of linen. Do 25 passes on nylon then 50 leather as a base and see how you go. If you think it needs more add more passes. Maybe check out the stroptober thread in the stropping forum as it is possible to blunt a blade by stopping incorrectly. Good luck and let us know how you go. Ed

Welcome to the forum! :) I am new to straight razor shaving myself. You will find that this is one of the most friendly and helpful forums out there.

It is moist likely that the problem is your shaving technique. Try different angles and less pressure. If your razor actually is not sharpe enough, check out your stropping. I have having some problems with my stropping myself. Bad stropping can actually dull your blade, and in that case you need to get it honed for a touch up.

Regards,
Jacke

The only things, other than what has been said, that I can think of are direction of growth and stretching.
Have you figured out which way the grain is on the various bits of your face?
Do you stretch your skin to pull the hair upright?
I would think that this was covered in the book, but I haven't read it so I don't know.
I would also reiterate angle, do you keep the spine of your razor close to your face? 2 spine widths seems to be a good guide.
All the best
Ed (the other one)

I had the same problem. I agree that changing the angle should do the trick. Make sure you don't force it you will cut yourself (I cut myself). Try a different razor just to rule out sharpness. Good luck

i have more of a problem on the left side of my face, it all seems very awkward on that side with the way your supposed to hold the razor and whatnot.

+1 to what Ed said.

Are you stretching your skin, both with your hands and by positioning your face?

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Originally Posted by superjet800

i have more of a problem on the left side of my face, it all seems very awkward on that side with the way your supposed to hold the razor and whatnot.

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Are you using your right or left hand?
I use more grips than Zsa Zsa Gabor used men when I shave.
You need to find what works safely, comfortably, and consistently for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjet800

a few months ago I purchased a Dovo Diamant and strop from Straight Razor Designs. I then did some research and stropped the blade and lathered in all the methods I have been using for a year

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Improper stropping technique could also be part of your problem. Your post makes it sound as though you may have stropped your razor before shaving for the first time. A blade newly received from SRD should be "good to go" right out of the box. If you stropped it before your first shave, chances are you could have rolled the edge and dulled it before you ever got the opportunity to experience a really sharp, shave ready edge.

Regards - Walt

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Originally Posted by pfries

Are you using your right or left hand?
I use more grips than Zsa Zsa Gabor used men when I shave.
You need to find what works safely, comfortably, and consistently for you.

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Zsa Zsa Gabor? Could you have found a less current reference, like "henry the eighth had wives" :)
Only messing with ya pat.
Superjet800:
I shave left handed, and I do change grips a bit too, though not that many I don't think.
It can be a bit awkward at first, don't worry too much about the smoothness of the shave, worry about not cutting yourself, and comfort.
The smoothness will come, as will the best and most efficient grips for your face and growth pattern.
Have you watched any shaving videos, yes I know it sounds a bit weird, but physically seeing what people are doing will make all the bits of advice make sense. There are videos by people with all different face shapes, and growth patterns, so between a few of them you should pick up some good tips.

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?

Quote:

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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?

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

Quote:

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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?

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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.

Quote:

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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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjet800

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

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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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superjet800

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

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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.