Thread: How much should a straight razor shave hurt?

It shouldn't hurt at all. Was the razor shave ready from the vendor ? A lot of the time the issue is shaving technique or the lack of it . There is a learning curve to shaving with a straight razor. Skin stretching, blade angle, the direction of attack and how your stroke is all play into it. If you do a few passes with little or no pressure and don't try to get bbs with each stroke your shaves may improve.

Re-read the tutorials in the SRP Wiki on shaving. The link is at the bottom of my sig line and focus on your angle and no pressure. That will give you a better idea or whether it is an issue with the razor. Check out your stropping too. Another bit of a learning curve.

I'm sure others will chime in on this because it is such a broad question, but a few things come to mind, one of them being technique, as your skill developes you shaves should improve hence the " start with one side etc.." Proper prep is another factor amongst many. Your razor background may help members help you, meaning was it honed properly before purchase etc... your stropping technique may factor in as well... so be sure to read the beginers post here in wiki and that may help you as well.. just a few cents from me

It shouldn't hurt at all, but the cause of the problem is difficult to determine without more information as to the type of discomfort you are experiencing.

How much should it hurt? We're all here because we love the pain. Seriously we're all freaks.

It should not hurt at all, what so ever. It should feel smooth and satisfying. If it hurts without cutting yourself, I would advise that your blade is not sharp enough. You may need to work on your stropping. Use less pressure when you shave. Are you lathering correctly? What soap are you using?

Many variables.

Edit: I re read your post. If you have not had it honed and did not purchase from a source that pre sharpens or hones blades, then this is your answer. I remember my first shave, like you with a plain Dovo, purchased from Selfridges in London. Although customer service told me I could shave with it straight away, they were wrong. It hurt and was quite irritating. I ordered a coticule and bought it up to a better standard, although I would have been better off sending it to be honed. Shame I did not know about SRP then.

As a beginner, I think it would be normal for the first couple of shaves to "hurt." Not excrutiating pain, but as the technique is not there, there is some scraping, tugging and pulling. I imagine this is normal for someone just starting out as it was for me just last month.

Now, I am able to shave comfortably for the most part. I still do experience some irritation while shaving on my neck. This I attirbute to my technique and inability to stretch my skin properly on my neck.

So, I think the answer is, it should not hurt at all, but as a beginner, I think a little pain is to be expected.

As another beginner, I can tell you that a shave ready razor is smooth, but maintaining that edge is the tricky part, hence the subsequent irritations.

I bought my DOVO best quality 6/8 from classicshaving, and the first try was nice. But then, since my stropping was too heavy-handed, my subsequent shaves got worse. I sent it to another SRP member for a touchup, and worked on my stropping. Now my shaves are getting closer and closer to what I could do with my DE.

It's also a question of technique: again, my first shaves were heavy handed and I experienced irritation. My shaves are now lighter (remember, the razor should barely carress your skin!), and my skin feels nicer too.

Eventually, muscle memory will settle in, and if you manage to find the proper touch, you then won't have to think about it.

Interestingly enough, when I got back to the DE while I was waiting for my straight in the mail, my shaving with it was degraded, since my muscles had become more accustomed to the str8 touch.

Here’s your index of suspicion:

1. Your razor is not sharp enough.
2. You're applying too much pressure because your razor is not sharp enough or as a bad habit learned from using a Mach 3.
3. Poor lather or lather causing irritation.

As a new guy, I know suffered from all of the above. The most dramatic improvement will be seen in getting your razor honed. Yes, really, you need to get it honed. Even though your razor is the sharpest thing you've ever seen, that factory edge is still not sharp enough.

I remain &c
LG Roy

It should not hurt at all.

Assuming your razor was honed by a reliable honemeister, and your prep is sound, then it is technique - angle, pressure, skin stretching.