Thread: New member

Hello Robert, welcome to SRP. In addition to the above, I'd focus on your lather. I have some soaps that I get a decent shave with when using a DE or an SE or a shavette, but just aren't slick enough for a straight. I'd invest in a quality soap and and hydrate the lather well. Slickness has much to do with hydration. Load your slightly damp brush with soap, then slowly build the lather by adding very small amounts of water until it seems it can't hold any more. The lather should appear very shiny and should be somewhat thin. Then make sure that you've adequately stretched the skin when shaving. No matter how sharp the straight or the technique, it's difficult to shave with a straight if the lather isn't slick enough.

Col. Conk soap is an ok soap in my opinion but, there are so many other far beyond it when it comes to quality. I suggest looking into a better soap to use with a straight razor. And getting that razors honed by hand by one of our fine members. You will be amazed the difference those things can make.

BTW, read about Obie top tier soap list. There you will find some options for soap. Some cost a lot but will last you a very long time. Others dont cost as much but are still top quality.

Hi and welcome,
Your story reminds me of my first straight, a Dovo 5/8ths Faux MOP scales / Gold wash.

It pulled n tugged. I sent it off twice to a pro honer who told me that it passed the HHT?

In the end it turned out that my Dovo was a Stainless Steel razor which needed more care in the honing department.

Do you know what kind of steel your Dovo is?

Joseph..

I sent it to sylversteel or something like that. He claims to find old razors and restore and sale.

What work I’ve seen of his is less than awesome, though that’s only concerning his restorations, never have tried his edges though.

I'm going to reinforce the above get it honed by someone who really knows. My first came from SRD so I knew it was right. Keep practicing once you get it down nothing beats a straight razor shave.

Around wel im taking to somebody here now so maybe I'll be squared away soon.

That was supposed to say awesome well I'm talking to somebody on here now so maybe I'll be squared away soon.

Hey, Robert. What type of growth do u have.
Thick/course, fine/ thin, Grey or still young.?

Gives me an idea of what stone to finish on, in comparison to your shavette. You'll find a straight is a bit more forgiving, than a shavette. Keep in mind, that shaving with a straight is about hair reduction, not removal. That's why there's so many different passes, each one cutting the hair closer to the skin.

Also, are you an everyday shaver.?

Welcome!
Plenty of great advise here. If you are new I will say that there are a lot of mentors here with a ton of experience. Some have different focuses (shaving, honing, restoring, brushes, forging, etc) but all of them try to give solid advice based on experience.

Originally Posted by outback

Keep in mind, that shaving with a straight is about hair reduction, not removal. That's why there's so many different passes, each one cutting the hair closer to the skin.

That has me thinking more about my own approach....