Thread: New UK Member, and with a few issues.

Hi, I'm a newcomer to using a straight razor (previously used electric), I've now been using one every other day for the past few weeks, and since the issues I've been having haven't disappeared I want to address them before any bad habits I may have picked up get ingrained.
I have some basic kit from 'The Invisible Edge' website, with the razor I am using being the 'Classic' they have on their website.
I've picked up mixing a good lather fairly quickly, and I don't seem to be having any problems in that regard.

Now, on to the issues I'm having. I always end up with a thin layer of stubble, very noticeable when I brush against the grain with my hand, I'm not sure what I could be doing wrong, I've experimented somewhat with the angle that I'm holding the blade, and unfortunately that doesn't seem to have helped. for the most part at the moment I'm doing 1 pass with the grain, followed by another across it, purely on my cheeks and neck, I don't have to worry about my chin as I have a VanDyke beard at the moment.
My best guess at the moment is that it either needs honing, or that I am stropping it wrong.

Also on the subject of honing, I already have some japanese waterstones that I use for my woodworking tools and knives, with the finest one being this King 6000 grit combi stone, with which I typically use a Nagura Stone, supposedly equivalent to 8k grit to build up an even finer slurry for sharpening with. Do you think that this is fine enough to hone a chisel on, or would you recommend investing in a finer stone?

Last question for now, is camelia oil a suitable oil to be using on the blade to stop it from tarnishing, I have a large bottle that I use for my tools, and which I have been using on my razor, but I thought I'd check opinion while I'm asking questions.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I'm hopeful that someone here will be able to give me the pointers that I need.

Welcome Hular. Cant answer many of your questions but this is certainly the place to be to get excellent honest answers from some great knowledgable gentlemen!

Like you i have found that within a few hours of shaving ill have a full face of stubble... It cant be seen but it can certainly be felt. It doesnt bother me. We must have some super hair growth gene (i can shave my full head completely bald... Within a week ill have a head full of hair).

Welcome to SRP, Hular, from another UK member! First of all, congratulations on switching to straights. I generally find that 2 passes, WTG and XTG are not enough to get a BBS which is what you are possibly looking for. I can go ATG without irritation if I want to, but rarely do now with straights as I find the 2 passes quite sufficient, not to mention comfortable. A third pass ATG is likely to be your only answer for eliminating that stubble completely, although you might want to consider a third pass going XTG again.

Have the same problem with stubble, but you know you look clean shaven, and chasing that BBS everytime can lead to irritation b/c you'll want to keep going over it. I say if it looks clean let sleeping dogs lie ya' know. Besides, were you ever really BBS with the electric or disposables to begin with?

Welcome to the forum! The suggestions above are very good. BBS is not always the ideal to shoot for and a darn fine shave is very nice to achieve. Good luck.

I agree with previous posts:

. . . You'll need an ATG pass to get a BBS shave.

And (after two years) I don't bother with it any more.

Whatever you use for plane blades will be fine for razors. I think that "camellia oil" is actually mineral oil with some scent added. Same for "choji oil" -- at least the modern "choji oil".

What you want to avoid is plant-source oils, which will oxidize and go gummy over time.

. Charles

Welcome to SRP.
Certainly stropping is one of the harder things to master & that may in turn affect the razor's keenness but it's likely inexperience is playing a part on all fronts. Practice & experiment for now without high expectations. A directionally smooth shave is not a failure.

Personally I'd rather not shave off a King 6k but a finer stone will not guarantee you the perfect edge either. Your face will give you the best answer.

Welcome to SRP. What area of UK are ya from? Asto the shave some of us find shaving with cold water,
i mean real cold, find the shave closer. look up the polar bear club on this site for info