Thread: Just no luck with straights

Hey guys. First a want to say I love the site. I've spent hours upon hours reading and learning. I'm new of course and want to present my issue. I cannot get a decent shave from any of my straights. I'm a year into shaving with sr's and yet to get a shave I would consider half as good as my shavette. Of course I've considered my stropping and technique being the problem. But I've bought 5 brand new razors and took them straight to my face and still have no luck. And they are from good places. West coast, classic shaves and SRD. Every time I start out with a straight and half way through first pass I have to switch to my dovo shavette. I pay attention to angle and pressure and all that good stuff but I've been beaten down trying to get a single great shave. Equipment isn't the problem, I have thousands of dollars in the best you can buy. I just feel like my insanely thick beard is too much for a straight. This surely can't be true right? Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

ps. I'm using professionally honed bokers, dovos, and thiers issard.
thanks

Wow. That is a bummer.

Stropping can take the edge off but I think, from what you said, you have watched the vids on how to properly strop.

With a really coarse and thick beard it might be time to review your beard prep. Some people get by with very little prep while others have to really work the hair for a good shave.

I would concentrate on really soaking the hair and using a double lather. My prep is Noxema, a lather with a cheap soap, and then the good lather.

It takes several minutes for hair to soften so take your time.

There are several members in Ohio. Go to this link to find a mentor or member who can give you some hands-on help. Keep us posted.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

Have you tried a near wedge?

Welcome to SRP. Your mention of a thick beard made me think of 150 years ago, and previous, when the straight razor was the only game in town. OTOH, it could be a thick beard might be the problem.

I know there are a number of guys here who are head shavers. I can tell you from when I used to be a professional tattooer, that shaving the side or back of someone's head ain't easy. Talking about thick and tough.

I would focus on skin stretching and taking short angled strokes. If the razor/razors are pulling at all they may need to be honed again. That's all I can come up with.

I really do believe my beard is the thickest type of beard there is. I made the town barber give up with a feather. IM serious guys, i may be half Bigfoot. Anyway, razor sharpness I doubt is the problem as I said they don't do the job even first shave after honing. I will try better beard prep. I thought I did a great job with that but I will try something new. Any soaps or tips you guys know about let me know. I don't do prep oil. Hate it. Anyhow I have a true passion for this and would try anything to succeed.
Thanks happy new year

Confucius say: You can't buy a good straight shave (as a self shaver that is).

Try and get with someone with experience shaving. You need mentoring. There is something you are doing wrong.

Originally Posted by Gcramer1234

Any soaps or tips you guys know about let me know. I don't do prep oil. Hate it. Anyhow I have a true passion for this and would try anything to succeed.

This may be too simple, and you may already know it, but when I first heard that people did more than one pass I was bewildered. Now I know it is the way to go ;

The Multiple Pass Shaving Technique - Straight Razor Place Library

I would agree with trying to find some local help. There is obviously an issue but diagnosing it would be easier in person.

[QUOTE=Gcramer1234;1438206]I really do believe my beard is the thickest type of beard there is. I made the town barber give up with a feather. IM serious guys, i may be half Bigfoot. Anyway, razor sharpness I doubt is the problem as I said they don't do the job even first shave after honing. I will try better beard prep. I thought I did a great job with that but I will try something new. Any soaps or tips you guys know about let me know. I don't do prep oil. Hate it. Anyhow I have a true passion for this and would try anything to succeed.
Thanks happy new year[/QUOTE
OK here's my cents worth, this prep was used when I had a shave at Trufit and Hill in London.
Wash face in as hot water as you can stand. Then rub some pre shave oil into your beard, wrap face in very hot towel for about 5 minutes. Make a really rich lather, lather your face then wrap in another hot towel again for 5 minutes, relather then shave. First pass WTG, second pass XTG third pass ATG. If that doesn't work my only other suggestion is use a blowtorch!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a vid by Lynn from SRD. Maybe you'll see something that will help or answer some questions.

Best Regards,

Howard

Edit: Thought I'd add the shave test by Glen. It covers good prep which may help and what to expect from a shave ready razor.