New to Straight Razors in Ohio

I dont remember exactly how I became interested in using Straight razors but I started with DE probably 7 years ago now and love them compared to the Mach3 I was using before. MUCH better and more comfortable shaves. While learning about wet shaving somehow I got interested in Straight shaving and picked up a few razors at antique shops, made a stop and my grandmother gave me two straight razors that belonged to my grandfather (I'd like to get them restored some and useable but I'm afraid they might be worn a little too much) and a Swastika razor hone that I belive he brought back with him from Europe during WWII. For various reasons they sat unused for a few years now but I've recently wanted to try them out again. The Razor in the best condition is a J.A Henckels stainless Friodur Razor that I picked up for I think $20 while at the beach 2 years ago. Passes HHT-3 or 4 (Hanging Hair Test, from trick to probing method - Straight Razor Place Wiki) and shaves well on my cheeks but pulls REALLY bad on my neck. I really enjoy using the straight razors but the pulling (irritation if I put up with the pulling) isnt enjoyable so I usually end up using one of my DE razors instead. I think part of the "problem" is the direction the hair grows on my neck. It's more of a diagonal direction on either side of center I try to go WTG but it still pulls hard. Does anyone have suggestions so that I can enjoy using my straight razors?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Drew

My guess would be your angle is a little off. I would suggest trying to change your hand positioning a little bit. While your razor may not be perfect sharp I would say its pretty decent if its shaving your cheeks.

Thanks,
Do you think that getting the razor just that little bit sharper would also make a big difference? What is likely needed for that? just a little work on the hone that I have and the strop or do I need a different / better hone?

dunno. without seeing and feeling the razor I couldn't tell you. Of course just getting into hones im not to for sure I could tell you even if I had the razor. How far are you from cincy?

I dont' think it would hurt to get one of your razors honed by one of the pros in the classified section, then you can really judge how shave ready the others are.

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I worked on the razor...honed and stropped and took my time last night and worked with blade angle and very light touch and got a good shave. some irritation (I think just from too many passes) looking forward to trying again to see if I can improve even more.

Does anyone have any suggestions on learing to shave with the weak hand on that side of the face?...does it just take time and practice to get used to it?

simpleman...we're about 3 hours from cincy...over close to WV

just doing it is the only way to learn with that hand. Ive been shaving for months and still have to think a little when using my left hand. Practice makes perfect.

One thing that does help with developing the off hand is to do as many other things with it as well to help develop coordination.

Be sure and strop for 30-60 roundtrip laps just before each and every shave. It helps a lot.:)

I did notice that stropping does make a big difference. and I wonder if not doing it exactly right is maybe what is keeping me from getting the razor just that little bit sharper to be "perfect" I'll just have to keep going and learn from experience

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Originally Posted by drewdog

I did notice that stropping does make a big difference. and I wonder if not doing it exactly right is maybe what is keeping me from getting the razor just that little bit sharper to be "perfect" I'll just have to keep going and learn from experience

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If you think your stropping is off then slow it down.. that made a world of difference for me in my technique of stropping.. I found when I was trying to strop too fast I would either not get the entire blade or I would accidentally roll the edge from too much pressure.

I'l give it a try tonight maybe. slow down a little more and see what happens.

Thanks,
Drew