Thread: Finally got it right. Some tips to pass along.

I have been trying to shave with a straight for well over a year and couldn't get it quite right; that is until now. After picking it up and putting it down several times I worked out my mistakes and now really look forward to my morning shave.

I haven't been on the forum for quite some time but thought I would pass along what I changed to get a comfortable shave with my heavy, wiry beard. Hope I'm placing this on the right forum as it covers 2-3 different areas.

Stropping: I had a real problem with stropping, just could seem to obtain a nice edge. But once I changed from a hanging strop to a paddle strop that issue disappeared. 15 strokes on the canvas and 50 on the leather does the trick for me.

Beard prep: After trying countless methods I found that HOT water (120 degrees) does the trick. I apply a wet, hot washcloth for about 20 seconds, then rub in 5-6 drops of Shave Magic. Then apply the wet, hot washcloth 2 more time for about 20 seconds each, re-wetting the washcloth each time.

Shave soap: I discovered that I wasn't using wet enough lather. Once I started using more water for a really wet lather things went fine.

Technique: The more I shave the closer the shave and the more enjoyable it becomes. Still learning on this subject but now enjoying the learning curve because the shave is comfortable.

I hope my experience helps others not to give up too easily. It does take some experimenting and time to find what works for you.

I also use a shavette for when traveling and enjoy shaving with this as much as with my straight.

Congrats. It is a steep learning curve, but following the advise on this site helped me a lot. Glad you have had success, it only gets better.

LNK

Thanks. I'm also a noob and have fairly coarse whiskers and am having trouble keeping the edge on my razors. Maybe I'll look into a paddle strop to see if that helps.

Just lay your hanging strop on the edge of a table. Now you have a "paddle strop." See if that helps any. Good luck!

Originally Posted by coryschmidt

Thanks. I'm also a noob and have fairly coarse whiskers and am having trouble keeping the edge on my razors. Maybe I'll look into a paddle strop to see if that helps.

Originally Posted by coryschmidt

Thanks. I'm also a noob and have fairly coarse whiskers and am having trouble keeping the edge on my razors. Maybe I'll look into a paddle strop to see if that helps.

It was a good change for me. The paddle I purchased at SRD has smooth leather on one side and rough leather on the other. After some experimentation I found that the fabric webbing (back strop) my hanging strop worked better for me than the rough leather. So I cut the fabric webbing off the hanging strop to the same length as the paddle and sealed the cut edges with super glue. The rough leather side of the paddle holds the fabric webbing just fine when stropping. I use one side of the fabric webbing with chromium oxide for freshening the blade once a month and the other side I leave clean for daily use. May not be everyone's cup of tea but it works fine for me.

Just couldn't get the hang of the hanging strop and that didn't do my edge any good. So I wanted to start fresh when I got the paddle. Here is what I did:

Did 5-6 strokes on Naniwa 12K stone, then 10 strokes on the oxide side of the fabric webbing, 15 strokes on the clean fabric webbing and finished with 50 strokes on the smooth leather.

Ever since that "fresh start" I just use the clean fabric webbing for 15 strokes and 50 strokes on the smooth leather before each shave. It just took some time (and money) to find what worked for me.

The new strop and using a wetter lather have made a huge difference.

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

I also have the Naniwa 12K and I think I've gotten the hang of it but I find myself having to 'refresh' on the stone way too often. That points to my stropping technique and either I'm not doing it right or not enough to clean up the edge. I'll try laying it on the table as Speedster recommended to see if that helps the edge. If so I may go with the SRD modular strop so I can swap the pasted/clean in and out.

I had the same problem with the lather. My brush would dry out and it seemed like I was redipping it in water constantly. Turns out I just wasn't starting with a wet enough brush.

Yep, the wetter lather was key for me. I went through several different soaps before I figured out it wasn't the soap so much as it was how I was using it.

Incidentally, when traveling I really don't care to pack all the shaving items I use for my morning shaves at home. So I carry a Dovo shavette, a bottle of Shave Secret and a travel size can of shaving cream. I just use extra water with the canned stuff to make it wetter on my face. The shavette gives a good shave, as well as keeping me in practice for the straight.

Originally Posted by coryschmidt

....I find myself having to 'refresh' on the stone way too often. That points to my stropping technique and either I'm not doing it right or not enough to clean up the edge.

You are correct that proper stropping will go a long way to maintaining your razor's edge, but just as important is your shaving technique. Scything or even guillotine strokes are far gentler on an edge and using them goes a long way towards edge longevity. Just something else to consider.

Congrats,enyoy that great shaves