Thread: Newbie Shaver Needs help!!!PLEASE

So I thought that I would get into Straigt Razor Shaving and for the most part I like it. I've been shaving now for 3 weeks, and I'm starting to have my doubts. I'm sort of a dive head first and break my neck type guy, and try and figure things out later. I did a lot of research before I did anything, so that I wouldn't slit my throat (I've managed not to slit my throat...so far). My razor is a DOVO Solingen with a Bergischer Lowe blade. I also bought a Fromm razor as well for practice. When I first got the DOVO I was able to do the hanging hair test and I was amazed it actually work. Which leads me to my first question. Should I be able to do the hanging hair test before every shave? I haven't been able to do it in about 4 shaves now. I have made sure that when I strop I keep the blade flat with no pressure, but the wieght of the blade. I have been doing 15 strops on the nylon, and about 50 on the leather, and I still can't do the hanging hair test. I have been getting really nasty razor burn on my chin(only on one side of my chin), and around my mouth. I look like I have a nasty rash around my mouth. So I though that I would have to maybe give the razor a little update, a little refreshing. So true to myself, I went out and bought some pretty good honing stones. Again I did some research on honing and have watched coutless video on how to do it...blah, blah, blah. I went out and got a #4000 Grit King Super Deluxe Finish Stone, a #8000 Grit Takenoko Polishing Stone, a #10000 Ceramic Super Polishing Water Stone - Naniwa, and a #12000 Kitayama Super Polishing Water Stone. I tried to give the razo a little sharpen, and again could not get the hanging hair test to pass. Which leads me to my next questions. I shave about every other day. Roughly how often should I have to hone my razor(just a refresh)? The razor came honed. I know that honing depends on how damaged or dull the blade is, but if I am just giving the razor a refresh, how many round trip strokes do I need to make on my 4000, 8000, 10000, 12000? I don't want to over do it, but I just want to have a nice sharp blade so I don't rip my face apart. Like I said before, at first I was thrilled, now I'm thinking about going back. I don't want to because I've spent a fortune on razors, stones, badger hair brush, cream, shaving cup. I like it because it relaxs me, it set the pace of my day. But when I get razor burn, it hurts like all hell and all I can think about is everyone starring at my mouth. Like I said before I've done tons of research so I know that I am shaving correctly, the blade is flat on my face with a very shape angle, I'm not digging it into my face. I think I have the correct technique (but what the hell do I know), I've only been doing this for 3 weeks. I have a couple other questions as well. Everyone says a straight razo shave is sooooo smooth. Really how smooth is it? Right now I am led to believe that I can get a smoother shave with a mach 3 or a fusion. My other question is, once I start getting pretty good at straight razor shaving, How long should it take to shave? Right know it takes me a minimum of 20 - 30 min. Any help is much appreciated, and I hope I didn't come off as "complaining". Like I said before I do like it and it sets the pace of my day. I just don't want to give up because I am doing something wrong and have wasted $1000. Please, Please, Please HELP!!!!

Hi and welcome!

It sound to me like your razor isn't sharp enough, and since you already has the hones you should read trough the Progressive Honing Guide, it gives some ball park figures for lapcounts on different hones, but you really should learn the different tests used during honing.

You might consider sending your Dovo out to be honed, and practice honing your Fromm, that way you'll have a benchmark for sharpness in your Dovo, so you'll be able to tell when your Fromm is shave ready.

Intervals between touch ups is hard to guess, I find that I prefer touching up mine every 6-8 weeks.

The biggest factor in getting a smooth shave is a really sharp blade and a good prep.

And give straights a couple of moths after you get a "shave-ready" blade, it takes some time before you get good shaves, but the shaves improves with practice

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Jabo

the blade is flat on my face with a very shape angle

Can you describe this a little better? If the blade flat against your face you are shaving at a low angle , I don't know what you mean by sharp angle . Either the angle is low or high , or somewhere in between .

Originally Posted by dave5225

Can you describe this a little better? If the blade flat against your face you are shaving at a low angle , I don't know what you mean by sharp angle . Either the angle is low or high , or somewhere in between .

a low angle

Originally Posted by Jabo

a low angle

Okay , tht's what I thought , but I wanted to be sure . First let me say , don't expect to get awesome shaves in only 3 weeks . You may want to make your shaving angle a tad higher , experiment a little with the angle . Also your razor my need to be honed by a pro (there are members here that can provide that service) , you can have the best hones in the world , but untill you gain the experience to hone a razor properly , they won't do you much good . Be patient and take things one step at a time . And remember , beard prep , and stretching the skin properly when you shave are very important factors for getting a good shave .

Also, watch out for pressure if you're experiencing razor burn. Any pressure of the razor against your skin is too much. All you need to do is ensure the edge is staying in contact with your face. Anything more than that will cause burn no matter how sharp your razor is.

It does sound like your razor may be dull, but while reading your post another thought came to mind. What soap/cream are you using? Some guys have sensitive skin. For example I can't use products containing bay rum, lime or menthol. A shame really because I love the scent of bay rum and many soaps containing lime. If I use products containing those ingredients I will, in a week or two start having irritation much like razor burn. This irritation makes me much more prone to razor burn and then the issue just gets worse. I almost gave up straight razor shaving 7 1/2 years ago because of it. Lucky for me I stumbled on the solution and changed the product I was using. Point being that although it sounds like it may be the razor, it might not. If it is the razor try a refresh with a pasted strop. Pasted strops are often easier to learn than honing with stones, and will refresh a blade very nicely. Good luck and don't give up.

Patrick

Here is the guide I used to learn honing. This is the honing pyramid a very simple and reliable way for a newbie or a experienced member to get a good edge on a blade. http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...g-pyramid.html

I would do an conservative pyramid as per Alans instructions and give it a test shave, then do a few finishing laps with your 12000 OR 10000 the same way Lynn uses his Escher then use the razor again when you have more beard to feel the difference.

Originally Posted by Jabo

Should I be able to do the hanging hair test before every shave?

IDK, I've never done the HHT. I don't have any hair to do it with.

Originally Posted by Jabo

Roughly how often should I have to hone my razor(just a refresh)?

Depends on how tough your beard is. Some hone once a year, some before every shave. Average seems to be once every 3 months.

Originally Posted by Jabo

The razor came honed.

Unless you sent it out to a honemeister (or honed it yourself if you can), it's not shave-ready, no matter what the box says.

Originally Posted by Jabo

how many round trip strokes do I need to make on my 4000, 8000, 10000, 12000?

You will feel a slight suction when the razor is ready to go to the next hone. This is the feeling of one extremely flat surface sliding against another. It's subtle but unmistakable. Don't blindly do X strokes like a robot; learn to feel what's going on with the edge.

Originally Posted by Jabo

Really how smooth is it?

Smooth as a baby's ass.

Originally Posted by Jabo

Right now I am led to believe that I can get a smoother shave with a mach 3 or a fusion.

True, but you have to do 2 passes. One probably won't cut it. Getting the ultimate shave is a matter of coming at the hair from the right angle, getting the blade at the right angle to the skin, and 1090 other little feel things that you'll develop over time. Once you get it, though, there's no comparison. You will piss on your Mach 3. You will swagger around, a baby-butt-faced god among lesser-shaved men. OK, you get the point. Your shaves are going to suck in the beginning, though.

Originally Posted by Jabo

How long should it take to shave?

Don't try to get faster. Let the speed come on its own. 20 min sounds about right.

Originally Posted by Jabo

I just don't want to give up because I am doing something wrong and have wasted $1000. Please, Please, Please HELP!!!!

You haven't wasted anything. You can get this. I did, & so can you. It's not magic.

jabo, that was scary reading your post, although i haven't spent as much money as you. i went through exactly the same feelings. and it really gets on your nerves when your keen to use the razor but lack of knowledge means the razors blunt and all you succeed in doing is scraping your face. i've probably been using mine for 2 years and still mess it up sometimes. i wasn't aware of the various levels of honing stones and whatever and it just makes it all sound really complicated but it can be done and the lads on here are proof. the feeling you have once you've given yourself a good shave with a straight is unbelievable but also when you cant do it you feel like throwing the stuff in the bin and using the wifes leg razor. USE THE FORCE!! sorry couldn't resist