Thread: How many shaves? or "My beard is too tough!"

I've found that if I use just one razor, every day, it usually needs a couple laps on the Swaty after about a month, maybe 6 weeks. That is with a SS razor, btw.

I have found that if I don't strop (both linen and leather) for at least 30-40 each, I don't get a good shave.. It's critical to keep the fins in line and this is what the stroping does. I had both my primary blades done by Lynn and that made a difference, but I also bought a cheaper Bismarck and have been playing around with a Belgian yellow hone and so far my results have been quite good. I just take my time, apply little pressure and make sure the blade lies flat on the hone. I also have watched a few video's on Youtube.

Shaun, that's the idea. If a good amount of stropping on the
linen doesn't get you anywhere, the razor needs to go back
to the hones.

- Scott

linen won't refine the edge, newspaper can a little though...
besides your stropping, I'd suspect your technique specifically too steep of angle. if you try to shave with the blade at much more than say 35 degrees?, you will dull your edge much faster... try 20 or 25 degrees, and make sure you don't apply any pressure. or 1 and a half the width of the spine (that is how far tyhe spine should stay from a flat surface)

I got Lynn's dvd and watched the parts about honing and stropping and shaving.

I am getting a second razor sharpened by Lynn, but I am suspecting my technique now, more than the razor, because a stroke will slice off lots of arm hair with no pressure at all. In particular I think I need to watch the angle at which I use the blade, but also the direction vis. hair growth. Most of my facial hair grows diagonally downward away from the center of my face.

I also think that my beard is simply very tough and my skin very sensitive. I wish this apartment complex could generate hotter water, but I am going to adopt the microwave technique.

Thanks for the help and support!