Thread: Is it me or my razor?

I definately rolled my razor within the second week, and then got really bad irritation, and no close shaves. Once this was fixed my shaves improved, with no irritation, but I still have a heck of the time on my neck.

How sharp is sharp enough? I've read all the sharpness tests on SRP, but my razor has never passed the HHT. Should I keep sharpening it, or send it to someone to sharpen it before I continue shaving with it? Perhaps this is why my neck doesn't come out good. I should mention I can get my cheeks BBS, but it takes many different passes. One WTG leaves my skin like sandpaper.

Well I shaved. This razor is sharper. I was able to get a very nice shave on my cheek's. Also my neck on 1 side. The strange thing is it is on my week side. I also notice if i watered down my lather a little for my neck the razor would glid better. Still rough on one side, many passes later it was much better.

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

Well I shaved. This razor is sharper. I was able to get a very nice shave on my cheek's. Also my neck on 1 side. The strange thing is it is on my week side. I also notice if i watered down my lather a little for my neck the razor would glid better. Still rough on one side, many passes later it was much better.

It seems that you're improving and the shave was much better, good job! Now it's a good time to point out and reinforce the point that things aren't going to be perfect or even very good for a few months now. Mastering angle on those little parts of your face is what makes the big differences a long with edge maintenance and stropping mastery. Definitely seems like the razor is sharp and more than shave ready for your needs. Keep it up and be patient, enjoy the process over the short term results you'll get as a beginner.

Once again, good job!

Originally Posted by RichZ

I would not be so fast to discount the razor. When I first started I had a great sharp razor for the first shave however after I stropped it the second shave wasn't too good. I had rolled the edge.

I will say that the neck and chin are your most difficult areas. The hair on the neck can grow in several different directions causing you to have to work a bit harder.

I shave most days one pass WTG however if I want that BBS shave I will go ATG after and it is super smooth.

I find the secret to be sharp razor, good prep and taunt skin.

What he and all the others said plus ..
plus work your way into the hard places with an inexpensive
single blade plastic throw away.
Shave the easy parts of your face with the SR and get comfortable with
stropping and holding the blade.
It is a skill and takes practice.

While you are at it "map your face". I have some difficult
changes of direction and cross grain diagonal NE and NW
strokes (not with or against) is the only shave direction that
works for me.

More on my "braille" method some other day.