Thread: Smooth and sharp edge

Recently I had a shave. My razor was sharp and contributed to a good result. In other words, my face felt smooth. A short time after however I noticed the awkward feeling of some razor burn. Most likely due to my technique.

In many threads I have read about the importance of an edge being not only sharp but also smooth. I think I know how to keep my Lynn honed razor sharp with stropping and touch-ups. Using a DOVO leather/canvas strop and the DOVO red paste.

But how do I make the edge smooth? Do you guys have tips for me?

Sometimes that technique has more to do with it than you think. Holding the spine at a steeper angle ( more away from your face) can cause it to cut into your epidermis and can make the blade feel rough, a more shallower angle and the blade glides across your skin cutting the hair just barely above the surface, and can make the edge feel smoother. Tinker with your technique some, the steeper angle can also contribute to dulling the edge faster as well; so can your stropping technique. There a number of reasons, but if you eliminate them one by one you will find the reason you're looking for. Oh, and I am not too familiar with the Dovo pastes, but using them too much may cause that as well...just a thought.

The edge from Lynn is plenty smooth and the best way to keep that way is with good stropping technique. Barring any accidents where you hit the edge on something hard, good stropping technique will keep that edge sharp and smooth for many shaves. Peruse over to the stroptober thread in the stropping forum and check out the discussion and videos!

How many times have you used this razor? When I first tried one from Lynn, I found it harsh. However, as I used it it became quite a smooth animal that I really enjoyed using.

It just takes a _little_ extra pressure to cause razor burn.

Especially if the razor shaved well, that's what I'd suspect.

Keep doing what you're doing, and use a slightly lighter touch.

. Charles

PS -- I'm a fan of glycerin in lather. When I was having razor-burn problems, I would use some hair conditioner as a pre-shave. Either of those might help you.

rickboone, I have used this razor for about fifteen shaves.

Last shave was the first time this straight caused tiny razor burns. My hair was sliced off easily. I think it was the pressure and wrong angle that scorched my skin. I will work on that next shaves and see what happens.

Originally Posted by strtman

rickboone, I have used this razor for about fifteen shaves.

Last shave was the first time this straight caused tiny razor burns. My hair was sliced off easily. I think it was the pressure and wrong angle that scorched my skin. I will work on that next shaves and see what happens.

Could be it needs a slight touch up. If you're using CrOx or something like that, just do 3 or 4 x strokes. Any more will cause it to become harsh. Often I can strop the tar out of it, like 120 on leather, and it'll bring it back.