Thread: Extra prep needed for straights?

I've only used a DE a handful of time, but my prep is minimal. Strop razor (only difference), splash face, lather up, shave. If you're not getting a good shave off your straight, I would think it is either A - not sharp enough or B - technique. Practice makes perfect!

As most have already said, I too need no special prep for straight shaving. Wet face, apply lather, and shave.

I just finished shaving, showered and heated my face, used three razors that were just honed on the Vermio finisher, MAN!!! what A Shave! the extra time made the difference, I shaved directly off the stone, NO stropping, No Irritation. Tried to wring the most from Vermio- =Success!!

Could have finished with any of the 3 razors but wanted to test the edge of each, an Henckles#66, W+B Longtail (Dang sweet) and an French Moultrie, they all shaved almost the same.

When shaving with a safety razor, some get away with hardly any prep at all. Splash water in the face, slap some foam out of a can on the face and shave.
Not the best shave, but some people do it.

With a straight razor that would certainly result in a lousy shave.
At the very least, I wet (usually wash with some soap) my face with a sponge/wash cloth to let the skin absorb some moisture, then apply soap/cream with a brush and whip up a nice dense lather on my face before I start shaving. They key is to allow facial skin and stubble some time to absorb moisture and soften.

Above prep may not be strictly necessary for a shave with a safety razor, but it will certainly make for a better shave.

In order to properly answer your question, we would therefore need to know what your current preparation routine is for a shave with a safety razor.

Lastly, is a shower before a shave necessary?
No; not if you follow above routine.
But if I shower anyway and need a shave as well, I would rather shave after the shower than before.


B.




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Originally Posted by Sxot

Nope. All I do is wash my face with a face soap, lather, strop then shave. Probably doesn't even make a difference if you strip first but I hope it softens the whiskers.

That would have to be the wonderful North Queensland weather. Now if I "stripped" before shaving here in the South --- just doesn't bare thinking about.

I do no prep at all. You need a good slick soap that does not dry on your face, this is very important for straight razor shaving and not so much for DE shaving.