Thread: what am i doing wrong?

Originally Posted by deejaykamoe

what magnification is good to get for a microscope? i dont want to spend much any reccomendations? thanks for all the help

Honestly I don't think looking at the edge will provide any insight at this stage. I for sure wouldn't be able to tell by looking between a shave ready edge and one that needs touch up.
But besides that, a 30x loupe works for me if you're talking about looking at an edge in general.

I like OCD's recommendations at looking at all the other variables too.

Originally Posted by deejaykamoe

what magnification is good to get for a microscope? i dont want to spend much any reccomendations? thanks for all the help

If you want to look at it, I use one of these.

Amazon.com: Handheld Hand Held LED Lighted 160X-200X Magnification Zoom Lens Pocket Microscope Magnifier Magnifying Loupe: Office Products

The only reason I suggest looking at the edge is in case you have chips in it that are not easily seen without magnification. I've bought razors that appeared to have good edges in that they cut hair efficiently enough, but further review showed them to have a mountain range for an edge under magnification. Edges that imperfect usually end up giving you and uncomfortable shave. I'd still look at your lather and stretchng first. But if you plan to stick with this for a while, you won't find the microscope to be useless. Quite the contrary, you'll use it a lot. But consider that a secondary priority.

Did you ever do against the grain with a double edge or cartridge razor? If so, was it comfortable? I've been shaving for more than 50 years with everything from the cheapest double edge with Gillette Blue blades to injectors to all the iterations of cartridge razors and I have NEVER been able to go ATG comfortably. About 30 years ago, I decided I'd rather have a little stubble here or there, since I shave everyday, than have razor burn. I have treated my straight the same way. Two passes, with the grain and across the grain, with some scything or "windshield wiper" passes is all I try and gets me all I want...a shave that lasts 24 hours and a face that my wife likes to touch. Maybe your expectations are a bit high, or your judgment on one of the other factors from face prep to technique/pressure is a little off. A month isn't very long in the world of SR shaving. Not a knock, just my thoughts.

I bought a "honed and shave ready" razor here. It cut hanging hair just fine and by all accounts appeared to be shave ready. But I had the exact same issue as you. Shaving with it sucked, no where near comfortable. I sent it to gssixgun to have it honed. He worked his magic on the edge and it came back shaving like a dream. I highly recommend sending it to him, or another highly recommended individual on this forum and have them examin the edge.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

A month isn't very long in the world of SR shaving.

And yet it is an eternity for the blade in the hands of a noob. How many among us made it 30 days at the beginning and still possessed a shave ready blade?

Originally Posted by Splashone

And yet it is an eternity for the blade in the hands of a noob. How many among us made it 30 days at the beginning and still possessed a shave ready blade?

On the other hand, just because a person is new does not make their concerns and evaluations incorrect. Often times I think we dismiss what a new guy is saying with the idea that we know exactly what his problem is more so than he does. I know for sure that some of my first reported problems were dismissed as user error or technique issues that later turned out to be exactly as I suspected, a dull razor said to be honed to perfection. If I just listened to the advice I was given at the time, I'd be healing up nicely by now. Yes, there are common problems that are often the result of a lack of experience. But a new guy doesn't know what he doesn't yet know. And he may just know a little more than we give him credit for.

Im not sure if this has been mentioned or not but are you stretching your skin properly while shaving? I did not see you mention if you where doing so in your post. From experience that may also be adding to your problem especially with atg passes.