Thread: Razor slipping

So I made still fairly new to straight razor shaving (Been using a DE for 1½ years btw) but I have noticed that sometimes my razor wont glide properly, and instead of going for the stroke it will catch onto my skin leaving a straight cut that starts bleeding.
How can I improve on this? It happens whenever i use really slick soap and musgo preshave soap too, so I am not sure if that is the issue?

Your new and your technique is needing some refinement more than likely, but could be lots of things, like razor isn't sharp. Who honed it?. So tough one to answer sorry. Maybe see a mentor if available. Tc

When you say straight cut do you mean horizontal cut or straight up and down vertical.

A horizontal cut usually, is from too much pressure, and a vertical cut is from a chip. Both are an indication that the razor is in need of honing.

It is not uncommon for new shavers to damage the edge while stropping with too much pressure or lifting the spine, stropping can take a while to perfect.

Look at your edge with magnification, to see if you can see any damage.

A couple of thoughts

How well are you stretching your skin? Loose skin will catch the edge.

Is your lather on the wet side or dry side of things. If you are using a lot of cream and little water, it looks good but is not very slick.

Honing and technique are also possibilities. Straight shaving takes a while to learn.

I was thinking similar thoughts to JTmke dry lather will make your razor bite.

Many possibilities but my first thought is a slicing not scraping movement.

Thanks for the input guys.
I might think it's an issue of skin stretching, because it happens at areas where it's harder for me to stretch, lie the chin.
I will try and keep everything in mind during my next shaves.

The worst cut I 've gotten in two years+ was from not stretching properly. The skin rolled under the edge, and took a chunk out.Upside is that I won't ever do that again.

I don't ever stretch except for maybe puffing out my cheeks but then again I have a fat face.

Originally Posted by JTmke

A couple of thoughts

How well are you stretching your skin? Loose skin will catch the edge.

Is your lather on the wet side or dry side of things. If you are using a lot of cream and little water, it looks good but is not very slick.

Honing and technique are also possibilities. Straight shaving takes a while to learn.

My thoughts exactly.
In order or priority:

For someone migrating from a safety razor the importance of softening the skin (warm water) and stretching the skin cannot be overstressed.
On a safety razor one may get away without stretching the skin, but it is impossible to get an excellent shave on a straight razor if the skin is not taut.

Short strokes (½" - 1") will also help.


New converts tend to be hard on the straight razor edge because a) their shaving technique is not up to par and they tend to dull the edge and b) their stropping and honing techniques have not evolved yet and they often fail to refresh or restore the optimum edge.


It's all a work in progress, it can be frustrating at times, will take its time, but remember we've all been there....


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