Having some troubles getting a good shave

Hello
I have got a really nice TI razor (5/8 singing razor blond horn) sharp ready from classicshaving (Lynn sharped it for me)
I have made a lot of stropping, but still when using the razor it just "bump" over my hair, specialy in places like my chin hair, and also when trying to shave against the grain

and even when shaving my side-locks I still get "not so close" shave

Can someone please help me out here? I allways thought I can get a razor to be as much as sharp as the DE blades so the shaving will be very smooth :shrug:

I was (am still sometimes) having similar problems. I now am VERY careful when stropping. I use 1.0 micron then 0.5 micron Tony Miller Paddle Strop, then when I strop on the hanging strop I am very careful to hold the razor against the strop, and not lift the spine up at all. The entire blade stayes against the stop. Further, I know it is wrong, but I do not use that one corner to the next method that everyone says is correct. I strop perpendicular to the strop moving the razor over some to get the rest. I am going to buy a 3 inch Tony Miller, but have to lay low a couple of weeks. My thinking is if the final stroping is to allign the "fins" of the blade, I want mine straight out from the blade, not at an angle.

Good luck.

I've never used a singing razor, but from what I've read here I am under the impression that they are thin and flex a bit. I've personally never had a lot of luck with the thinner blades on my beard - stiffer grinds give me a much better shave. Perhaps this is the case with you also?

James.

Well
I had this problem with others too
MAybe something is wrong with my shaving technique or stroping technique ?!

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Originally Posted by EAD

Well
I had this problem with others too
MAybe something is wrong with my shaving technique or stroping technique ?!

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OK - it's bumping over parts of your beard? It could be stropping as knochrph suggests - perhaps you are dulling the edge when you strop. Have you tried a sharpness test on the blade after you strop? Something like the HHT or seeing if it will pop arm hairs, or the thumb *pad* test after stropping will let you know if it's sharp or dull. Xman has written an excellent overview of sharpness testing here. (17 March 2007 - "Check this" entry).

If it's sharp after stropping, then it is perhaps your shaving technique. If it's jumping over the beard, perhaps you are not using enough pressure? Are you making sure to stretch your skin tight behind the shave area? Have you tried changing the angle of the blade to the face a bit to see what angle might suit you best? Do you used a scything-type motion or a straight-down motion? Are you using short, medium, or long strokes, and how fast are your strokes?

James.

There are several possibilities. If lynn did the honing you know the one thing that is not a problem is the razor. What I would look at is number one your stropping. You say you did alot of that. If your technique was bad you probably dulled your razor. Its also possible your shaving technique is the problem. For me the acid test of whether the razor is sharp is when I do my chin I start from my lower lip and do one stroke down and around my chin. If the razor is not ready it will pull or protest as it comes around my chin. Also when you shave the side of your face the razor should glide down your face in a silky smooth motion. If thats not the case the razor needs rehoning. You can also try the usual tests.Let us know.

This razor was a great shaver. Judging by your comments on stropping, I'm betting you curled the edge. You can send it back to me for a re-hone on me. How did I know this would happen to you...........lol.

Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adjustme69

This razor was a great shaver. Judging by your comments on stropping, I'm betting you curled the edge. You can send it back to me for a re-hone on me. How did I know this would happen to you...........lol.

Lynn

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How did you know this will happen to me?
Also
How can I fix it on my own? using stones for honing it?
I have the Norton 4000/8000 and the Belgain yellow one and the Honyama Awase stone
Also I think the strop I have (Dovo) isn't good, so I am ordering now a new one (BEST quality) from Tony and a paddle with 0.5 on one side and red latigo on the other
So
What can I do please?
Tank you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are several possibilities. If lynn did the honing you know the one thing that is not a problem is the razor. What I would look at is number one your stropping. You say you did alot of that. If your technique was bad you probably dulled your razor. Its also possible your shaving technique is the problem. For me the acid test of whether the razor is sharp is when I do my chin I start from my lower lip and do one stroke down and around my chin. If the razor is not ready it will pull or protest as it comes around my chin. Also when you shave the side of your face the razor should glide down your face in a silky smooth motion. If thats not the case the razor needs rehoning. You can also try the usual tests.Let us know.

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Yeah I think the problem is with my stroping
What can I do now please?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAD

How did you know this will happen to me?
Also
How can I fix it on my own? using stones for honing it?
I have the Norton 4000/8000 and the Belgain yellow one and the Honyama Awase stone
Also I think the strop I have (Dovo) isn't good, so I am ordering now a new one (BEST quality) from Tony and a paddle with 0.5 on one side and red latigo on the other
So
What can I do please?
Tank you

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The Dovo strop is fine. I have been using one for several months without any problems. It is also very possible that your shaving technique is the problem since many people have a significant learning curve with the technique. Lynn has offered to assess your razor to see if you damaged it while stropping, so if I were you I would take him up on that offer if your shaves don't improve in the next few days.

I just want to add that the beginning is obviously the most difficult time for anyone trying to learn straigh razor shaving because there are several variables that could be giving you a bad shave including an improperly honed razor, rolled edge from poor stroping technique, bad beard prep, and bad shaving technique. If you were able to get good DE shaves then I do not think that the prep is your problem. If you got your razor honed by Lynn then an improperly honed razor definately could not have been your problem. The only variables that this leaves would be bad straight razor shaving technique or you rolling the edge due to poor stroping technique (which would make it impossible to get a good shave regardless of your technique). If you managed to roll the edge with the Dovo strop then you will also definately roll the edge again with the Tony Miller strop if you use the same technique.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

The Dovo strop is fine. I have been using one for several months without any problems. It is also very possible that your shaving technique is the problem since many people have a significant learning curve with the technique. Lynn has offered to assess your razor to see if you damaged it while stropping, so if I were you I would take him up on that offer if your shaves don't improve in the next few days.

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I appreciate Lynn very much !!
I bought his DVD and watched it many times and read many of his stuff here
The problem is that I am from Israel, so sending things to USA and getting from there will cost me a lot even if the sharp itself will be free (I guess it is 15$ to each side, so it will be at least 30$ if not more)

Any way I want to learn a thing or two, this is the all point here, not?
How can I know what am I doing wrong? and how can I fix it?

and if stroping is my problem, how can I fix it? so I can strop good? I have seen many movies and read a lot, but still not sure I am doing it right at all :(

Let me add that if you dulled the edge with the strop, it is not very likely that you will succeed to improve the edge with any of your nice stones on your own (without using another blade to practice, or wearing your new good TI quite a bit while you learn)

Do some sharpness tests, if OK - watch the prep and shaving angles and try again. If sharpness tests don't give encouraging results - send it back to Lynn, who has generously offered to fix it for you. Also, try some skype sessions - stropping, honing - maybe even shaving... Do you have Lynn's DVD? Might be a good idea to pick it up when you send the razor for a free fix, Lynn is saving you the $ anyway

Good luck
Ivo

Maybe you could meet a member virtually in cyberspace on Skype or something for a couple of honing lessons?

X

I think the problem is with my stroping, I might have used to much presure on it :(
What can be done now?
Can't I fix it on my own?
I do appreciate Lynn generous offer, but you have to understand that I am not from USA, so sending it will cost me a buck or two :shrug:

EAD - I do understand, of course. I am sure someone in Israel can hone a razor - but I can't help you there. Europe isn't that far either, maybe someone there can help you... It still seems Lynn's DVD is a good idea, regardless of what you do with the razor.

One thing I am afraid of: you'll try to save shipping to Lynn and ruin your new TI.

Of course, you may be lucky. I don't think I ever ruined an edge. I started learning by touching up my most expensive razor (I had an ebay special but it was so dull that I didn't have the parience to fix it on the only barber hone that I had at the time). My first edges honemeister were from Joe Chandler, and I never managed to roll them stropping.

It's your razor, your $, your call to take whatever risks you prefer.

Good luck
Ivo