Thread: Does anyone else use two straights for one shave?

I've noticed that with my thick whiskers the straight razor is not as sharp on the second pass as on the first. Rather than re-stropping the razor mid-shave with wet hands and a face half-covered with cream, I've used a new tactic.

Prior to the shave, I strop two razors and use one for the first pass and the other for the second. I end up with a better shave with essentially no irritation. Plus, you can mix and match the razors to take advantage of their individual strengths. For example, I might use a spike point Dubl Duck. scary sharp for the first pass, and leave some risky areas less than closely shaved.

Then I'll switch to a round point Henckels or, if I really want a perfect shave, a Zowada, and clean house.

Anyone else do this?

I have heard of some people who use more than one razor because they want to but if you need to use two to complete your shave I would be looking at your razors or your shaving technique because something is wrong with your picture.

I am new to straight razor shaving and I found the same problem half way through my razor tends to quit and I have to go to Shavette to finish up. I tried two razors and that works better. Is it normal to have to strop inthe middle of the shave?

I use three razors when I shave . 6/8 for the first pass , 5/8 for the second , and 4/8+/- for my upper & lower lip , and 3rd pass on my jawline & neck . I don't really "need" to use all three , but I can so I do .

Originally Posted by shavindave

I've noticed that with my thick whiskers the straight razor is not as sharp on the second pass as on the first. Rather than re-stropping the razor mid-shave with wet hands and a face half-covered with cream, I've used a new tactic.

Prior to the shave, I strop two razors and use one for the first pass and the other for the second. I end up with a better shave with essentially no irritation. Plus, you can mix and match the razors to take advantage of their individual strengths. For example, I might use a spike point Dubl Duck. scary sharp for the first pass, and leave some risky areas less than closely shaved.

Then I'll switch to a round point Henckels or, if I really want a perfect shave, a Zowada, and clean house.

Anyone else do this?

Originally Posted by logorus

I am new to straight razor shaving and I found the same problem half way through my razor tends to quit and I have to go to Shavette to finish up. I tried two razors and that works better. Is it normal to have to strop inthe middle of the shave?

Do both of you happen to have problems with the first razor you're using seeming to be dull when you get to the chin?

Here's why I ask and why I'm actually agreeing with thebigspender for once (oh, I'm just kidding!): Even razors from honemeisters would slow down and trudge through before I was done with my chin whiskers. I too started to use two razors.

Here's what I found:

• I had never really studied my whiskers enough to realize quite obviously that whiskers grow much much more densely packed on my chin than on the rest of my face.
• More importantly, if an imaginary line was drawn vertically from the center of my lower lip down my chin (dividing my chin into a left and right half), ATG is actually going TOWARDS that center line. That means my chin whiskers have a horizontal growth pattern to them. Which way was I attacking my chin whiskers when I would shave?.......towards the center line of my chin. I was going ATG right off the bat. Some say a razor that is ultra sharp can wipe whiskers ATG with no problem. I'm actually not into shaving with razors that sharp right now. I get very comfortable shaves with no irritation and no razor burn now, so I see no real need to go for "feather-like" sharpness. Don't get me wrong, I like to tune my razors now to where my ultra-fine blond hairs explode with no effort with an HHT (I could never get an edge to pass the HHT using my own hair before a few months back and just figured my hair was just way too fine. Now it's my gold standard, tuning an edge until my own hair cuts effortlessly along the whole edge; I used to use some of my wife's that she donated from her brush).

So..........I agree, a review of technique may be in order if you think your razors are sharp enough. Proper stropping also really helped me and improved my razors. I've not had a need to use more than one razor for a 2 pass shave in a long time (I've never felt I really needed a true ATG pass across my whole face since I get BBS with an WTG and XTG. ATG on my neck is too risky even with straights.

Chris L

Yep, I do. Two gets the job done without the need for stropping in between. My edges still last just as long as everyone else describes, but I notice the difference in comfort between trying to do the second pass with the same razor or switching to a new one to finish, so I switch.

An error in technique may also be in play though, which would be indicated by your edges deteriorating after a few shaves rather than lasting up to a few months.

I used to have the same problem as the OP. You might be using too much pressure when you shave, or not prepping enough.

The prep I use is extensive. Institut Karite shaving soap to wash face, hot towel, Santa Maria Novella preshave and shave cream, hot towel, re-lather.

My razors last at least 2 months between honings, with an occasional touch up with chromium oxide paddle. I strop carefully on a Tony Miller Latigo, and the edge after stropping is near perfect under a USB MicroXPlore scope at 50 power.

I CAN do three passes with one stropped razor, I just find the third pass is more comfortable and smoother with a re-stropped razor (or a second stropped razor for convenience).

I asked my Italian trained barber, who used to shave 25 guys with a straight every Saturday in his home town whether he ever stropped his razor mid-shave on a client, and his answer was "sure, lotsa time".

Originally Posted by shavindave

The prep I use is extensive. Institut Karite shaving soap to wash face, hot towel, Santa Maria Novella preshave and shave cream, hot towel, re-lather.

My razors last at least 2 months between honings, with an occasional touch up with chromium oxide paddle. I strop carefully on a Tony Miller Latigo, and the edge after stropping is near perfect under a USB MicroXPlore scope at 50 power.

I CAN do three passes with one stropped razor, I just find the third pass is more comfortable and smoother with a re-stropped razor (or a second stropped razor for convenience).

I asked my Italian trained barber, who used to shave 25 guys with a straight every Saturday in his home town whether he ever stropped his razor mid-shave on a client, and his answer was "sure, lotsa time".

I wish I had a barber like yours, he sounds like a good resource. I'm wondering when the barbers that DO continue to give shaves (with Shavettes) will start to use rubber gloves. Dentists do even for routine dental exams and for the most part they come in contact with little or no blood.

Chris L

Sad, but in the USA this talented, experienced straight razor master no longer gives shaves.