Thread: Newbie Question - Razorburn

First a couple of comments. Finally, I have found a site where I can read and learn about the art of straight razor shaving. I'm relatively new to the art, two weeks in, actually. I've always wanted to shave this way since I first watched my grandfather shave with his trusty str8 and strop. I only wish I had started much earlier than my 45th year. Anyway...

I've been shaving with my Dovo "Special" 5/8 for two weeks now. I have been rather fortunate to have limited my bloodloss to only two cuts and a couple of small nicks. I still nick occassionally, but for the most part, my shaves are blood free. However, I have noticed that razorburn has seemed to become part of the ritual. I have altered my stropping method from what I discovered to be an ineffective method to a "correct" method. I wasn't employing the correct movement of my hand. My question is this: because I was not stropping properly (i was stropping in the correct direction, however, I just wasn't turning the razor over properly), could that lead to a "dull" edge and, subsequently, the razorburn I'm experiencing. I'm using what I believe to be high quality shave cream (C&E Almond Oil) applied with a badger brush along with adequate face preparations. I'm getting a decent shave (I won't say great because I am still quite inexperienced) but I notice the razorburn nearly every shave. Not unbearable, but still annoying, nonetheless.

Can any of the experts out here offer some advice for me. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I look forward to spending time here.

Jeff

You face does need a little bit of a "break in" period when switching over to straight razor shaving. This may be part of it.

Two of the more common causes of razor burn are a dull razor and too much pressure while shaving. If the razor is really sharp, it will need little to no pressue to cut efficiently. New razors are often not shaving sharp right out of the box.

How many round trips are you doing when you strop?
How much or how little pressure are you exerting when you strop?
Have you tried any of the common tests for sharpness, such as the thumb test or the hanging hair test?

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I make 10 round trips on the linen side followed by 15 round trips on the smooth leather side. I use a little bit of pressure while stropping but I wouldn't consider it excessive.

The documentation included with the razor indicated it was ready to use. I did however, strop the razor before my first shave with it. This razor is my first (another one is on its way, though) so I don't have anything to compare to and never experienced "shave ready" sharpness. I'm going to guess that you're correct when you say it isn't sharp. I find that I need to exert some pressure while shaving to remove my beard.

I've heard of the two tests you mentioned, but I'm not certain as to how they are performed.

When you strop do you hold the strop taught so it doesn't dip in the middle? If not, the stropping could be dulling your edge.


Go to classicshaving.com. There's a choice on the side menu for "how to and why." Go there and look up stropping and honing. Scroll down to and read the stropping instructions. There's a tes there to know when the razor is sharp. It involves moving the thumacross the edge at several positions along the blade. It explains that the razor should "grab." You should feel a real pull by the edge as you move the thumb. When you get that all along the blade, it means the razor is sharp, and you're ready to try shaving.

The article also describes other things that can happen and what they mean. If your thumb just slides smoothly across the blade with no grabbing, you probably have an edge that's so dull that it needs to be honed by someone experienced. If that happens, come back and tell us and someone will help you get it honed.

I have yet to receive a Dovo that would shave nicely out of the Box. Stropping technique can dull a razor, but if your going with a light touch, slow and the blade is flat on the strop, that should not happen. Maybe one of the guys can hone up the razor for you or you can send it out to me and I'll help you out first time. Your face will need a few day break in period as indicated. Keep the questions coming. Thanks. Lynn

My feeling on this is that shaving with a straight is an art and a skill and it comes slowly. If you've only just started you may find it takes a good month or so (maybe longer, alot longer) before you really acquire the skill and confidence to get a close and comfortable shave. Eventually it becomes almost second nature. Each person progresses according to his own skill level.

Joe, yes, I do hold the strop taut. What I was doing incorrectly was not pivoting the razor on its spine but on the edge. I know...I know...call it newbie ignorance. I now strop properly, but I'm afraid that I didn't help matters by stropping incorrectly from the start.

I assume when you talk about running your thumb across the blade you're talking about running the thumb perpendicular to the shaving edge and not along the edge. I know this question sounds kind of crazy, but I want to make sure I end up cutting only my face.

Thanks, for the offer, Lynn. I would be grateful if you could help me out. I then would have a benchmark to compare my second razor to. I just received in the mail a TI Evide Sonnant Extra 5/8 today. The papers that came with the razor indicates that "your razor is delivered ready to shave with". Is your experience with TIs similar to that of Dovo?

Thanks, guys!!

Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

I assume when you talk about running your thumb across the blade you're talking about running the thumb perpendicular to the shaving edge and not along the edge. I know this question sounds kind of crazy, but I want to make sure I end up cutting only my face.

Yes across means perpendicular to the plane of the blade and along means following the edge. You're quite right, even a dull blade can make a deep wound, and you don't feel it until it's too late. When the razor is open never take your eye off it and close it if you have no reason to have it open at that moment.

Stropping is THE thing to learn about keeping your razor shave ready. You cannot shave twice with poorly stropped blade. OK, maybe you can, but the third time will be hell Just get some junk razor from e-bay, clean it (restoration project) and strop the hell out of it before sharpening it. This will give you the propper feel for the razor on the strop, train your hand, and condition the strop. I still keep my restoration project near the strop and take couple of swings now and then...

The razor burn will go away... Just remember not to use pressure when shaving with straight razor. This will be dificult in the begining, especialy if you were M3 user.

have fun...

Nenad

It sounds like you need to have that razor honed a little, and probably the TI also. The factory people do what they can but we use tools that they do not.
They stop at a fine stone, approx 800 grit but they do not perform a shave test, we do. We also follow the 8000 stone with eith a 10000 or 12000 grit stone then on to a pasted strop with 0.5 micron chrome oxide or synthetic diamond paste. The razor is then cleaned, stropped and shave tested.

Right now I am up to my eyeballs in razor stuff so I cannot offer to help at this time.

I believe Lynn has offered, anyone else?