Thread: Sacramento checking in!

Hi All,
Enjoying the good advice.

I bought a Dovo 6/8 carbon steel straightrazor with Cocobolo handle from TAOS about a week ago and started to use it after watching several member videos and other on YouTube. So far so good.

A very small amount of razor burn on one cheek the first time.
Second and third shaves were better - no burn.
I tried something new yesterday. Thought I could just go right-hand-only. Paid the price with that with with some good burn on my lower neck area. So back to using both hands.

I settled on the Lavender shaving cream, and the basic badger brush and they are both treating me well.

For a strop, I am using a 1.25" black leather Levi's belt until payday. I plan to get the strop at TAOS becuase I don't know where else to go locally. My understanding of TAOS is that they sell great stuff, but overpriced in general. I'm more concerned about getting a good quality item because I don't yet have the skills to tell the difference (if I were to find an old one on cl for example) or to fix/restore any subpar strop. I'm open to suggestions.

Anyhow, making good progress day by day.

Thanks for the tips!

Welcome to SRP. If you can wait a few days on your local postal service, I recommend checking out Straight Razors Designs for a strop. They have a lot to choose from and Lynn (Yes the very same Lynn that founded this amazing forum) and Don will answer any questions you have if you give them a call. So far it sounds like you're off to a good start, so post any questions you come up with. The gentlemen on this forum are always willing to help.

One trick that might help a little with the burn, if you find yourself making 2-3 small swipes over the same areas, try back stroking the razor occaisionally instead of picking it up off your skin. Doing that will spread a thin layer of lather back over the area & helps lubricate the blade on your second or third swipe.

Doing that every so often has helped a lot under my chin/jaw with getting closer & eliminating burn.

Thanks, guys, for the replies and ideas. I appreciate them!

Welcome aboard & you're sure to enjoy a new way to shave. It truly does get better with practice!

And when you do feel discouraged, just remember the oh so appropriate words of C.S. Forrester's Dr. Clive.
"Nothing like a good clean cut stitched up in its own blood"

Hello RicM in Sacramento, and welcome to SRP.

I'll second the recommendation to look at the strops at Straight Razor Designs. They are a truly straight-razor dedicated vendor, which TAOS is not. I've gotten good products and good service from The Superior Shave as well. They sometimes have Dovo models that SRD does not.

Did you pay extra for a honing from TAOS? If you didn't, you're shaving on a factory edge and that isn't actually what we consider shave-ready. That could also contribute to your burn by forcing you to use too much pressure. The proper amount of pressure is very light; no more than it takes to swipe away the lather. If your blade is properly sharp, the whiskers come off as a byproduct of the lather-swiping.

Best wishes and happy shaving

Welcome!!! Heck, I was even in Sac today!! You're amongst friends here, there's a ton of great advice here. Take care, Don V

Hello,
No, I did not pay any extra. They told me it was ready, and a few places and the Dovo website indicated it was. Actually, I am getting better shaves. I sis try that hanging hair test - I know there are opinions both ways. On a hair from my brush, it worked sometimes. So I think I'm at least "OK". I don't know any place in my area I can take it to though.
I did not buy the strop at TAOS. I went there today, and it was a very small strop. I'll try and figure out which one to order from the suggested Straight Razor Designs. Bought myself a rifle today though, so it'll have to wait a couple weeks. In the meantime, I'll continue on my Levi's belt.
So far, so good though, surprisingly enough.
Cheers!

Wellcome to SRP,Moving To Roseville next month.maybe our paths will cross

Gonna be in Fremont all next week! Idk but that is maybe sorta close=)