New Dutchman here (so far no luck with straight razor)

Hi all,

My name is Marco, I'm from the Netherlands and 32 years of age. And I bought a straight razor because I wanted to cut back on the cosst of buying Gillette Fusion blades (even though they provide a fabulous shave, especially with shaving oil) but so far none of my attempts with a straight razor have proven succesful, even after having bought + read Christopher Moss' "The art of the straight razor shave" I just can not (!) get a smoooth shaven face.

I might try my late grandpa's razor, maybe it works better than the new one I bought recently when I decided to try using a straight razor. But so far, I only feel a burning pain and stubbles on my face / cheeks after using it, so I don't expect it will fare much better. I'm now stuck shaving with the Fusion blades after having hurt my skin with the straight razor (lathered with hard soap).

I'm thinking my beard growth is just too resilient for good results (beginning) with a straight razor. Makes sense?

Hi Marco,

Welcome to SRP! We're glad to have you with us!

First of all, read the SRP Wiki. Its full of useful information:

Straight Razor Place Wiki

Make sure you read the articles on the first shave, they will really help you.

Can I ask, where did you get your razor? A lot of places sell razors marked shave ready when they actually arent. A truly shave ready razor will have been honed by a honemeister by hand on a variety of stones to achieve the fine edge need to shave. Most factory edges are ground on a wheel and then stropped before shipping, so there is a huge difference in the edge.

I would advise you to send your razors off to a honemeister (check the classifieds for member services, as well as Straight Razor Designs in the US or Razor Sharpening UK in the UK) and have a pro hone it. You'll notice the difference right away!

You'll also need a strop, as well as some good quality soap or cream and a shaving brush.

I've not heard of anyone ever having too tough a beard for a straight razor, and it sounds to me like your razors probably need to be honed.

There are four elements to a great shave:

- A shave ready razor
- Good prep with a good soap
- Good stropping
- Technique

If you get all of these elements right, you'll get the best shave you ever had!

Dont give up! Once you have a shave ready razor you'll really notice the difference!

Good luck!

Hello, Marco:

Welcome to SRP.

Stuart has done a comprehensive and commendable job with his suggestions to help you solve some of your straight shave difficulties. Please consider his suggestions.

Remember, the initial shaves with the straight razor will not be remarkable. We've all been through similar difficulties in shaving with a straight razor. We have stayed with it, because the straight razor has become a passion.

Passion makes shaving with a straight razor worth the effort and patience. Good luck.

Regards,

Obie

I have to agree with the previous posts, there are so many possibilities that could be affecting your success, but once you get things right it will be worth the effort :)

Hi Marco and welcome to SRP,

The others have covered the topic about as well and completely as possible. I just picked up the straight razor in December and not being that far removed from where you're at now my first guess would be you have a dull razor. By all means have it sharpened by a pro and get a good strop. It makes all the difference in the world.

Pelkey

Phew, how many (helpful) replies, and actually rather encouraging too. I bought my ra]or at barbershopclassics.nl, to me it feels quite sharp, actually I've already cut myself with it, and running the edge along my nail reveals no ovre-honing. And I've also bought a strop, just no suitable honing-stone (or whatever) - [naive mode] I actually bought it on a sort of whim, thinking the strop was all that was needed to keep the knife sharp, not knowing or thinking about a honing object [/naive mode] I'll look into if they have honing items.

I have hard soap and a brush by Vergulde Hand (guilded hand - an old Dutch brand of shaving accessories/needs):
http://www.winkelplein.nu/barbershop...rguldehand.jpg

Razors bought at Barbershopclassics.nl are far from shaveready according to some other Dutch members. Once you've run a razor's edge over your nail it will need honing.

I also use 'De Vergulde Hand' (The Gold-Plated Hand) shaving soap. After you load your brush with soap you need a seperate bowl with added water to create lather. Otherwise the stuff is too dry.

Feel free to have a look at the BeNeLux subforum we have here.

OK, I think I've found out a particular trick: don't be too ambitious and try shave the whole face in one go. And shave in short strokes of ± 1".

Also, pulling the skin taut is necessary, I found that pulling my sideburn skin taut with my other hand over my head was not very pleasant. I was affraid that I might push too hard on my temples.
Now, I thought that I might combine these 2 points of concern and only shave the sideburn on the right hand side (I'm right handed) and only lather tha part of my face, so that I can pull the skin taut by my neck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Piet

Razors bought at Barbershopclassics.nl are far from shaveready according to some other Dutch members. Once you've run a razor's edge over your nail it will need honing.

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I maeant I run the side of the edge / blade over my nail, rtying not to cut my nail, this way, I can see if it is overhoned, wobbly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Piet

I also use 'De Vergulde Hand' (The Gold-Plated Hand) shaving soap. After you load your brush with soap you need a seperate bowl with added water to create lather. Otherwise the stuff is too dry.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Piet

Feel free to have a look at the BeNeLux subforum we have here.

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I will!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DutchMarco

Also, pulling the skin taut is necessary, I found that pulling my sideburn skin taut with my other hand over my head was not very pleasant. I was affraid that I might push too hard on my temples.
Now, I thought that I might combine these 2 points of concern and only shave the sideburn on the right hand side (I'm right handed) and only lather tha part of my face, so that I can pull the skin taut by my neck.

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I pull my face up just at the top of my side burn, just about level with the top of my ear, its quite easy and requires no pressure or real force, and for me personally makes the skin on my cheek much firmer, and so easyer to shave with less irritation.

As for honing stoes don`t worry about those yet, learn to maintain your blade first before you learn to repair it,

I had more luck last night (I always shave before going to bed - (several hours before, in fact, to allow the creme to dry before I lay my cheeks on my pillow)and using my grandpa's razor (which he had used all his life dand therefore must have beeeeeen quite sharp enough already) and it worked much better now, though there's still have room to improve - it wasn't smooth enough yet, from now on it just boils down to improving my technique.

Glad things qare improving for ya

Glad to hear you're sticking with it,as you mentioned your technique will improve and so will your shaves.. along with the other variables ie, prep, soaps, oils etc... you will find what works for you along the way :)

Hi Marco,

Welcome. Good to read your are getting better results. I used Vergulde Hand shaving soap long ago and I think it is not the best soap you can get. It is cheap but dries out on your face and becomes flakey before you can blink an eye (unless of course they improved its quality since the eighties of last century).

Your results will markedly improve when you get better soap or cream. Palmolive sensitive skin is very good, Gilette shaving cream in a tube is a good second. These are readily available everywhere in the Netherlands although the Palmolive is becoming harder to find. I myself use Proraso which is relatively easy to get form webshops. I am just about finishing one tube: you can have what's left to try if you like.

I live in Emmen, feel free to come and see me and take your gear with you so that we can see what furhter improvements can be made.

Welcome. The razors that come to the barbershop, are still not completely shave ready. Go back to Paul and ask him if he once gets back on the hone. Use a good pre shave oil and make sure your face is wet enough for shaving.
Sucses the volharder wins


Tip: By the Way. The barbershop has some good shaving soap. Go and drop by his shop and ask for advice, there's an open world for you when you walk into his shop.

I have dealt with him a couple of times. His after sales service might be better. Most of his vintage razors are advertised as honed by a barber so they should be shave ready. He sold me a shedding brush and let me know that's the way it is....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kees

His after sales service might be better.

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It can always better, just as if you are reasonable people then I do think that he would come to help you hone your razor.If necessary you pay for something,but just think it's service

Hello guys. I also bought two razors from Paul, they were not that bad, but needed a little bit of honing (which I didn't know then...). I use De Vergulde Hand soap too, nice scent, but dries indeed very quickly. I have the De vergulde Hand shavingbrush as well, that thing needs to be soaked in hot water for a couple of minutes to get soft. Try to get hold of the De Vergulde Hand After Shave Balm, that stuff is excellent! If you live close to an Etos or DA (who isn't in Holland?) get the Tabac-shaving soap. It will cost about €15 (with bowl), but it is real value for money. I use my Tabac soap every other day, for two years now, and it isn't even half way (was that correct English?).
De Vergulde Hand also released an "extra fris" (extra fresh) shaving soap, I don't know where the "extra fresh" comes from, only a distant smell of, how should I describe it... WC-Eend?? But it seems to dry less fast.
Shave on!!