Thread: Razor and shaving questions

So I got a straight razor as a gift and I've tried idk roughly 10 to shave with it. Each more frustrating than the last, I have really think hair when it come to my face, and going against the grain is supper hard. Well recently I was giving it another go I watched has the razor didn't cut hair. I understand that I need to go slow and I feel like i'm doing everything I should be doing but still not getting anywhere. I'm wondering if its possibly a sharpness issue. I'm have tempted to get a professional straight razor shave to see how its done. I learn so much more from watching it being done.

So the question is

Is my straight razor just not sharp enough? I'm sure my technique could use some work but come on I should be able to cut some hair against the grain.

If it was properly sharp, it would whip the hair off easily. Get it pro honed. Plenty of members on here can sort that out for you. Good luck.

Well I would certainly question the sharpness of that blade, I would also question your technique. If your blade angle is too high it will scrape and not cut. Three key items are sharp blade, good skin holding and stretching, and low blade angle. The spine should only be a could of spine widths from your face to almost touching. You should look at the classifieds, member service area, and discuss sending your blade out to one of the gentlemen advertising there.

Julian
You live very close to some great honers and mentors.
This link will find the ones closest to you.


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

How about a photo of the razor or the make of the razor? I am wondering if you were gifted a RSO, Razor Shaped Object. and not a real SR.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

How about a photo of the razor or the make of the razor? I am wondering if you were gifted a RSO, Razor Shaped Object. and not a real SR.

Bob

This one exactly

Originally Posted by julianj

This one exactly

OK, that is definitely not a RSO. Do you know if the razor came from a seller that supplies them shave ready or are you shaving with a factory edge? Some factory edges are pretty poor to begin with and if that is the case it might be part of the problem.

Bob

I'm about 3 months into SR shaving. My first straight was a Dovo 5/8 I bought on Amazon -before I discovered this forum. Like you, my early attempts to shave with it were frustrating. After I discovered this forum I learned the importance of having a properly honed razor and sent mine off to Lynn. That made a world of difference. No, it didn't magically fix my technique and send me to shaving nirvana, but it gave me a feel for what a proper SR should feel like and removed a very important variable from the equation. I highly recommend sending it to someone on this forum for honing. And when you get it back, don't strop it before your first shave. That will already have been done and we beginners are more likely to degrade the honer's work than improve on it.

It's a long and enjoyable ride, and I've found I have to be patient and not try to master this skill all at once. I do as much as I'm comfortable with using the SR, and then I finish up with the DE. Nothing wrong with that.

Originally Posted by julianj

This one exactly

Can't improve on the above advice and observations, but the Dovo Prima Klang is an excellent razor.

By all your descriptions the razor is a factory edge and as excellent as the razor quality is, the Dovo factory edges, well, they just stink!!....to put it mildly.

Here's a link to our members that offer honing services. Read up on them and they have contact info in their ads. You won't regret getting a professional edge on your razor.

If in doubt as which to choose, PM me by clicking on my user name and I'll assist.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...wcat.php?cat=4

Best Regards,

Howard

You chose a good razor. DOVO factory edges are fine, but they do need to be stropped first. Maybe "strop-n-shave-ready" is an appropriate term to use.