Thread: First Straight Razor Shave Complete

Hi,

I just purchased my first straight razor recently. It is a Gold Dollar 66 honed and made shave ready before I bought it.

I just completed my first complete shave, even though there are patchy areas of stubble in trouble area on neck.

I bought a Star Shaving paddle strop with red and black leather. The red side had more draw. Can anyone help me in determining how many passes I should strop on each side?

Happy to be getting into a straight! I've been using DE's for 7 months now!

Kyle

I do 60 laps after the shave. Its important for the blade to be dried thoroughly and stropping will actually coat the blade with oil. Red or black side doesn't matter IMO. Although many will say the red side as its supposed to be smoother. I have a black latigo SRD that is my go to strop.

I also do 60 for most razors but some like more. Since you are just starting out do 60 to 100, depending on the length of your strop. Until you are getting consistently good shaves then experiment to find your setups sweet spot.

PS Welcome to SRP. Feel encouraged to drop by the member introductions sub forum and introduce yourself.

Jonathan

Thanks men! I have an antique Solingen razor that I am getting restored. This Gold Dollar is good to learn on but it tugs like crazy. It could be technique but I feel it is the razor.

Its hard to say from here. Did you shave with the razor as delivered or strop it first? A high angle will kill the sharpness quickly. As well as one bad lap on the strop. And leaving the edge not completely dry after can cause oxidation which kills edges quickly.

Originally Posted by bill3152

Its hard to say from here. Did you shave with the razor as delivered or strop it first? A high angle will kill the sharpness quickly. As well as one bad lap on the strop. And leaving the edge not completely dry after can cause oxidation which kills edges quickly.

I stropped before the shave. Very newbie like strop technique though. I had razor basically flat against my face then tilted to about 10 degrees. I have a wirey coarse beard but I am not the only one, so a lot probably has to do with technique.

Im not criticizing you at all. Weve all been there. I would practice stropping with a butter knife a bit until the flip is down. Watch some videos on that as well. This will help you keep the edge and prolong the time between honings. I would recommend shaving with a shave ready the first time without stropping so you can experience the edge before any possible user error. I rolled my edges for weeks til I got it down as have many others as well. Contact the seller and see what he says, maybe he will work with you on this. Good Luck!