New shaver- somewhat discouraged

Hi Folks,

1st time post here, though I have lurked for quite a while. I am an experienced DE shaver who recently has been trying on str8 shaving. I acquired a razor from Laz on the Yahoo boards, a 4-sided strop from Tony, and have been shaving with the str8 on and off for a couple of weeks.

Not having any experience base, I am unsure what to expect from the str8. I am having a devil of a time getting a close shave. I shave after a shower, use good cream/soap/brush, but my whiskers seem to be laughing at the razor. I believe the razor to be sharp enough, but no matter what I do, the razor seems to get caught up in my whiskers. especially across the grain (against the grain is impossible). I have been trying to maintain the angle fairly shallow, maybe 20 or 30 degrees. The amount of pressure I need to use to cut also seems higher than I expected, but again, I am used to a heavy DE.

Can anyone provide a few suggestions to help me out?

Thanks!

-Scotto

Take this for what its worth from a newbie (about a month with a straight). What you are describing suggests to me that the razor is no where near sharp enough! I'd suggest getting in touch with Lynn or one of the other honemeisters to have an edge put on your blade.

It sounds like it needs honed to me. Even razors that are promised shaving-sharp from guys that know what they're doing can need touched up because it's just too easy to let one go out without being quite right. The only test I know that will tell for sure if it's honed to perfection is shaving. Everything else falls short in one way or another.

Well, there are two possibilities, either the razor needs honing or your skills need honing. Its true that all the tests in the world can be lacking and shaving is the ultimate test but as a new shaver the shave test may not be the way to tell thats why the other tests should be used in your case since they will tell you if the razor is sharp enough to shave with.

It can take months to become really proficient with a straight and weeks to get any decent shave so my advice is try the usual tests and if it passes all of them work on your technique.

Scotto,

One of the things that I have learned this weekend is that blade size can make a difference. I bought a 6/8 blade from Lynn last week...wow, a much improved shave. And I have a 5/8 blade that Lynn sharpened. You may want to look at a different razor!

Randy

Another thing which will help a sharp razor cut through dense growth is using a slight cutting angle. Lead the shaving stroke with the toe of the blade ahead of the heel by about 20-30º (I find less even works well for me). this will make it easier for the blade to get through.

X

You might want to check out the video here also as it might help with technique. I'll be happy to rehone the razor for you. Shoot me an email. Lynn

Thanks for all the advice, guys. It is also possible my newbie honing skills haven't done well by the blade. It is hard not having a frame of reference to compare to, other than a DE.

-Scotto

It sounds like you have a razor less than shave sharp. If you take Lynn up on his offer to hone your razor, you'll see exactly what a sharp razor feels like. Also, you'll probably not have held a razor so sharp before. So, when you do shave with a shave sharp razor, especially one honed by Lynn (or one of the other honemeisters here), you'll need to use very little pressure. The sharp razor will glide through your whiskers like a warm knife through butter.

Also, just make sure you prep your beard adequately. They say a well prepped and lathered beard is half a great shave.

Go check out Lynn's video. It's really great to show newbies proper technique.

Good luck,

Jeff

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Originally Posted by Scotto

Thanks for all the advice, guys. It is also possible my newbie honing skills haven't done well by the blade. It is hard not having a frame of reference to compare to, other than a DE.

-Scotto

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I can guarantee it is not sharp enough. I had the same problem when I started until Lynn honed a razor for me. One other thought How wide is the blade? A heavy beard is cut better by a 6/8 or 7/8 razor. In addition a good shave with a str8 leaves your face soft as a baby's bottom. :D

It's a 5/8. I thought about a wider razor as well. I have a message in to Lynn to either hone this one or purchase another, and we'll see how it goes.

As for prep, no problem there. Before I ever touched a str8 I had a collection of brushes, soaps, creams, etc. that I use religiously.

Thanks again,

Scotto

I figured your prep was ok being a DE shaver. I assumed you would need good prep with them as well.

I have 3 5/8s right now. I've got a 6/8 coming to me any day now. I have a somewhat heavy beard. I think RT had indicated that, for him, a 6/8 is the way to go. I'm hoping that the shave improves with my new 6/8. Of course, I get great shaves from my 5/8s. I just want to put a little variety in my stock.

And I thought straight razor shaving was supposed to SAVE you money... :thinking: LOL

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Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

And I thought straight razor shaving was supposed to SAVE you money... :thinking: LOL

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HAHAHAHAHAHA I started this because when my wife told me the Braun activator she was going to get me for Christmas was $200. I told her that was too much just get me a str8 razor. I probaly spent at least three times that amount already.:cry: :cry:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

I have 3 5/8s right now. I've got a 6/8 coming to me any day now. I have a somewhat heavy beard. I think RT had indicated that, for him, a 6/8 is the way to go. I'm hoping that the shave improves with my new 6/8. Of course, I get great shaves from my 5/8s. I just want to put a little variety in my stock.

And I thought straight razor shaving was supposed to SAVE you money... :thinking: LOL

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I know, huh? It's supposed to be economical, right? But then we all become obssessive and need dozens of kick-ass razors!! :p

I'm 6 Franklins into this "obsession" already and I've only been at it only 3 months. I'm sure I'll let go of a few more before all is said and done when I find the happy median on razor ownership. Then I watch Lynn's video and see the arsenal he's got in his lab....Whoa!!!

It is, however, much cheaper than my previous "hobby"....watches!! It won't be long before I start selling pieces of my watch collection to fund razor purchases. Let's see....razors, or watches... :shrug:

Jeff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichZ

HAHAHAHAHAHA I started this because when my wife told me the Braun activator she was going to get me for Christmas was $200. I told her that was too much just get me a str8 razor. I probaly spent at least three times that amount already.:cry: :cry:

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:eek: $2/cartridge for an M3, the reason I smashed my electric was (besides the poor shave) the outrageous cost of replacement heads...no way!!! So of course TO SAVE MONEY I've spent a few hundred on stones, razors, brushes, creams...did I say a few hundred, maybe that was an exageration---on the low side. Oh well, I've spent more on good scotch, my car, house, wife, etc... and all of these obsessions are quite enjoyable. Gotta keep it in perspective.

Is why I thought I'd make the transition to straight razor shaving. I'm justifying the cost right now as it costs more up front to stock up and become a straight razor shaver, but the cost over the long haul will be significantly reduced. At least that's what I'm hoping for. But, in any event, I have decided that I will be a straight razor shaver from here on out. I really enjoy it.

Jeff

Hey, I just noticed that this is my 100th post! Rest easy fellow SRP members, I don't expect the same kind of recognition/acknowledgement that T.O. expected for catching his 100th career TD pass. I won't react by saying we all would be better shavers if our razors were Mach3s...'cuz I know that ain't the truth!!

Just someone send me a Dubl Duck Wonderedge, that's all...LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ForestryProf

:eek: $2/cartridge for an M3, the reason I smashed my electric was (besides the poor shave) the outrageous cost of replacement heads...no way!!! So of course TO SAVE MONEY I've spent a few hundred on stones, razors, brushes, creams...did I say a few hundred, maybe that was an exageration---on the low side. Oh well, I've spent more on good scotch, my car, house, wife, etc... and all of these obsessions are quite enjoyable. Gotta keep it in perspective.

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You know you are right! It is something that is very enjoyable to me. So what the hell.

the good things in life are not always free! Contrary to what women say...LOL

Every penny I've spent on this obsession has been worth it.

Jeff

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Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr

the good things in life are not always free! Contrary to what women say...LOL

Every penny I've spent on this obsession has been worth it.

Jeff

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it is really to bad you group ALL women into ONE category. I think you might want to revamp that quote...

I hereby amend my quote to read "....Contrary to what SOME women say...LOL"

I certainly didn't intend to offend any women who are straight razor shavers.

Here are a couple tips from a guy (me) whose noob-dom is more recent:

1. I agree with everyone who said your razor isn't sharp enough.
2. Stretching the skin is vital to get a close shave.
3. Don't try to get it all in one pass. After the N->S pass, I look like I just shaved with a cheap disposable. I need to do a S->N pass to get it really close. Whether you need to do this seems to depend on the peculiarities of your beard hair. Lynn says he doesn't do a S->N pass, but I have to do it.

Well, my first str8 shave felt like I used a kitchen grater instead of a razor. Major razor burn. The blade was not sharp enough. After honing it to a much sharper state I got a very close and razor burn free shave.

I stretch the skin well and do two passes, both N->S. The shave is really close. You can hardly feel any stubble when going against the grain. I use the same approach with my DE (M. Vision) and did not get as close a shave.

I tried doing a S->N with a DE and the next day I broke out. My facial hair does not bother looking for the skin pore. It just takes the shortest path to the outside. If skin is in the way then it punches through it. S->N gives a much closer shave so tends to submerge the hair too far under the skin.

One thing to keep in mind when getting advice is that most people fail to mention their beard type when they talk about their honing or shaving. This is critical. A fine beard does not shave the same way as a tough beard. So you may want to mention your beard type and ask advisers for theirs. Just to make sure that your experiences have a common ground.

True. My beard is like barbed wire--heavy, tough, fast-growing, & does a great deal of damage to razor edges. I find myself stropping daily on newspaper over plate glass, then leather. If I don't do the newspaper every day, by day 2 the quality of the shave is already significantly degraded.