Thread: Horrible Shaving Experience

For what it's worth, I'll weigh in and say that my skin didn't need any "adjustment time" to straight shaving. I went from a six month old beard to a straight razor overnight, and the total lack of razor bumps and smoothness had me "sold" on straight razor shaving.

It's worth repeating - everybody's skin is different, everybody's technique is different - but the basics are very, very similar - good prep, good angles, and the lightest of pressure with a sharp razor should give a GREAT result.

Hoping that you'll stick with it!

Hi Racer.

Don't give up hope. It's just a matter of time until you find the technique that's best for your beard.
Although the "ripping" sound is strange indeed, I would have the Dovo rechecked and probably rehoned, because no matter how many hot towels you use, if the razor isn't sharp, it won't work.

Hey Racer,

Try one more time. Nothing clever, nothing fancy, nothing difficult like the chin. You owe it to yourself.

But this time, just do the side of your face. If you are right handed just do the right hand side of your face.
Lather up. Holding the blade at an angle no more than 20 degrees from your face, that's right, nearly flat.
Shave down the side of your face and stop. If the blade won't cut or if it catches on your beard, it needs re stropping or maybe re honing because it sounds like it isn't sharp/smooth enough. So stop at this point and get the razor seen to.

If your face feels comfortable, great, re lather the bit you did and shave back up again. If the blade catches on your beard same as before, stop at this point and get the razor seen to.

If your face feels comfortable, great, wash your face and just feel how good a straight razor feels on the bit you did. Finish with your electric and see which part of your face feels good throughout the day.

If this works you will know the blade is razor sharp, you will know the feel of a straight razor shave and you will know why it's worth learning how to shave the rest of your face in a similar manner, one step at a time.

If you don't have the patience or time, I'm afraid that's your loss because straight razor shaving requires patience and time. If you decide it's not for you don't forget to oil the blade well before you store it or you will upset yourself even more when you come to look at it again.

jim and lynn are top shelf people in the world of straights, did you strop the raror before you used it? My 1st experience was as bad as yours. it takes a while to get the hang of it and to feel a little more comfortable in shaving with a straight, as far as trashing lynn on the forum that is in poor taste to do that without 1st trying to talk to the person both him and jim have phone# that are easily found btw i have trashed perfectly honed razors by improper stropping so i would do an awful lot of reading here this site has so much information for the beginner and the experienced shaver also,i am sure by this time you wont want to hear this but lynn has a dvd on straight razor shaving, it covers all aspects of proper shaving and maintenence shave prep too much to type here it is 22 or 23 dollars well spenti think 3 1/2 hours of info on it it is on my to buy list for sure, i hope your next time goes better for you

Hi Guys - I am new to straight razors, and new to this forum. I have about 8 to 10 shaves under my belt, and I can say that for me, every shave seems to be just a little bit better than the last. Last night before going to work, I used the straight razor only, no touch ups with the DE. I got a pretty decent shave, and was pleased with my efforts. Just hang in there. As my music teacher says, if it was easy, everybody would do it. My hat goes off to any guy who has the guts to shave with such an imposing tool.

With all due respect to the responses people have made to the gentleman's troubles with his new straight razor, I would like to add a few things.

It is very true that technique could be the problem which leads some to believe the razor isn't sharp enough. But I have recently discovered that it could in fact be the razor.

I have been using straight razors for 4 years now and can confidently say that my shaving technique is up to par. As I am suffering from a mild case of RAD this year, I have ordered 3 razors in the past 3 months from some of the well known vendors that offer prehoning service. My first razor ordered this year was excellent, second as well, safe for some minor cosmetic flaws. This last acquisition , which has the same blade as the first razor, was horribly disappointing.

The prehoned razor was far from shave ready in my opinion, it wouldn't even catch a single hair on my arm. I have contacted the vendor and I am sure that this one may have simply slipped between the cracks. I will not come to any conclusions as to why the razor is not shave ready despite the prehoned label, but all this is to say, that it could be terribly frustrating for a newbie to receive a razor in this condition not knowing what prehoned sharp should really be like.

Just my two cents.

Badgister could very well be right. As it's said sh*t happens.

If you pm me your address I will send you a new Shavette,Focus blade razor & a pack of blades that you can use to get your technique up to speed with.Just take care with it as the blades will be cosiderably sharper than your straight & use a very light touch with a shallow angle this will he you to get on the correct learning curve .I would also recomend some preshave oil,use the same stuff that is used to shave with King of Shaves ect put this on & apply plenty of water before lathering up & this will also soften your beard.
Paul

I think we lost one, guys. Hopefully he'll come back to us, but I've got a glass half empty feeling about this one.

For others just starting out: 30-40 degree blade angle???? Criminy that obtuse! That's near the skin slicing arena, guys. Who would advocate such a steep angle?

I use a very slight angle when shaving. Between one or two spine widths tops and no more. Coup de Maitre is an exception for obvious reasons. Heck, lay the blade flat on your face and barely lift the spine to start out on your cheeks only. If it cuts nothing, lift only a a degree or two more and try again (with relather!). 30-40 degrees. No wonder! My face is bleeding just thinking about it.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

I think we lost one, guys. Hopefully he'll come back to us, but I've got a glass half empty feeling about this one.

For others just starting out: 30-40 degree blade angle???? Criminy that obtuse! That's near the skin slicing arena, guys. Who would advocate such a steep angle?

I use a very slight angle when shaving. Between one or two spine widths tops and no more. Coup de Maitre is an exception for obvious reasons. Heck, lay the blade flat on your face and barely lift the spine to start out on your cheeks only. If it cuts nothing, lift only a a degree or two more and try again (with relather!). 30-40 degrees. No wonder! My face is bleeding just thinking about it.

Chris L

Unless your razors are the same thickness at the spine as they are at the cutting edge two spine widths puts the cutting edge at about 30 to 40 degrees!