Thread: Horrible shave.

I bought a used Dovo, shaved twice, and with the recommendation of basically everyone on this forum, I sent it to be professionally honed. Today was my first shave with the sharpened blade. Well, to say the least, it was horrible. The shave felt like the first two. It felt like it wasn't honed at all, or at least I couldn't tell the difference. I'm sure it's operator error, but man was my shave a big let down. Before I started shaving, I tried to cut hanging hairs on my arm and leg, and barely anything was cut.....probably less was cut than when I tried that before I sent it to be honed.

Urgh.....97 more to go!

You keeping that blade angle pretty flat, right? Like two spine-widths away from your skin, 20-degrees-ish? Big angle = big scrape = big red face. Shallow angle makes nice.

Did you strop this freshly honed shave ready razor before first use?

Failing that, who prepared your razor?

don't give up. if you haven't read up on the basics or watched a video for a while do so and refresh your memory.
some basic things to remember are your blade angle (1 to 2 spine widths) and light pressure (just enough to wipe off the lather). Your lather might be to blame as well.
What was unpleasant about it? maybe that can help us guide you better.

Try better prep, less pressure and less angle (it should be around two spine widths off the skin). Those are the common first shave issues. Try these first

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

You keeping that blade angle pretty flat, right? Like two spine-widths away from your skin, 20-degrees-ish? Big angle = big scrape = big red face. Shallow angle makes nice.

Did you strop this freshly honed shave ready razor before first use?

Failing that, who prepared your razor?

I tried the failed hanging hair test first without stropping, then stropped it a little (not the 50 passes that most recommend) before I started my shave. I sent you a PM in response to the guy who honed my razor.

I get the best shaves off my Merkur DE, then I wanted to step up my game with a straight. I knew this would take a while to learn, so I'm pretty determined to keep on keeping on. I'll try the angle and watch some vids while I'm shaving next.

The standard advice for noobs with a freshly honed SR is to NOT strop it before the first shave after its been honed. That's because poor stropping technique will roll an edge (dull the blade) in a single pass.

Being a sufferer of poor lather myself, I always recommended lathering in sections. Even if your lather is fine, it usually takes us much longer to shave than the 15-25min the experienced shavers get away with. So even a well built lather will come up short if it takes 45min to 2hrs to shave.

Anytime you do anything with a SR, remember NO PRESSURE!!! Stropping, shaving, wiping the lather off: pressure is bad.

Here is a perfect visualization/reminder for no pressure... skip to about 9:30.
https://youtu.be/qotCfV7Vgtg

Originally Posted by briancorneal

I get the best shaves off my Merkur DE, then I wanted to step up my game with a straight. I knew this would take a while to learn, so I'm pretty determined to keep on keeping on. I'll try the angle and watch some vids while I'm shaving next.

Fear not... it gets better.

It took me about 3 months between switching to straight from DE before I was getting a CCS... practice practice practice! It takes a while to get your technique down, learn your beard growth angles, and where and when to stretch. Until then... shaves will such a bit.

Maybe for a week or so, use the straight only WTG, and then used a DE for XTG and then ATG. It will help you get the feel of shaving with it without tearing yourself up.

did you try TPT(theumbpad test), also do you have any hones? although maybe to early to use those if your not good at honing, What stop do you have, and do you have Cr ox on on side of the fabric ?
and what does your face prep consist of, also what is your technique for building a lather, and what does it look like ? do you bowl or face lather?

The advice you have recieved with regards to shave angles and proper prep is sound, also the idea of just doing the with the grain pass using the straight at first is pretty sensible, if you are using your D/E that you are familiar with to finish it doesnt matter how ineffective your straight shave is at first, just try to get a feel for angle and pressure, if your angle is too low all that will happen is nothing except possibly removing the lather, just try again with a slightly steeper angle.

Your lather will probably need to be wetter than you are used to with your D/E, a dry lather will definately cause you problems. Iwould recommend bowl lathering at least at the start as you can control the consistency of the lather much more reliably, if you are in doubt err on more water you can always put a bit more soap in if neccessary to thicken it back up, and if the lather starts to feel dry on your face freshen it up.

I wouldnt worry about hones or edge tests unless you know how the result should feel, if the reply to your PM gives you confidence in your hone job you should be able to eliminate edge issues. Almost every issue at first is user error if you start out with good gear.