Thread: Straight Razor Ain't Cutting It

Brain Surgeon? Hilarious!

Still....not exactly Rocket Science....

Wow, I certainly didn't expect this much feedback, but I thank you all for it.
So many questions...where to begin?

- Shave Ready: I bought the used razor from a well-known used razor person on the web who told me the razor is "shave ready". I've already gotten into trouble from the moderator by mentioning his name in my initial post, so it has been deleted and won't be mentioned again, suffice to say, he's a good guy and I have no problem with him.

- Methods: I'm following the methods of shaving that I have studied on the seller's literature which accompanies his razors. I have also been reading and watching the tutorials on this site as well as others.

- Newbie Expectations: Contrary to what one respondent said about new guys, no, I am not expecting a "great shave on the first try", nor am I "blaming everything but myself". I'm figuring I'm the root of the problem, or else the razor really isn't shave ready.

In retrospect, I'm thinking it's a little of both (me and the razor). Like someone said, there should be some whiskers cut. Every time I shave I search for minuscule whiskers in my sink but I see nothing but soap. I will continue shaving WTG and see what happens over the next week, and if it continues I will see about finding someone to hone the razor. Does anyone know of a razor person in the Seattle area?

Thanks for all your suggestions,

Cliff

Consider this your official invite

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...a-meet-up.html

Mark that on yer calendar, bring both yer razors out I'll sharpen them right at the meet for you, regardless if you get them working by then, they will need a tweak anyway ...

For me, persistence was the key. As I said, I learned from just reading what was available on the net c. 2004 so I was almost to the point of giving up. Applying the correct amt of pressure w/ the blade at the proper angle is something that takes a little time & effort to achieve at least for me. It took me a month to get to the point of being comfortable handling the razor properly and gaining confidence in my abilities.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Consider this your official invite

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...a-meet-up.html

Mark that on yer calendar, bring both yer razors out I'll sharpen them right at the meet for you, regardless if you get them working by then, they will need a tweak anyway ...

Glen,

It's guys like you that make SRP such a great community!

I think that one of my first straight shaves managed 6 passes and hardly cut a whisker. I was too tentative and the angle was all wrong. It's just practise.

Possibly, the razor was not honed properly. Probably, it was. Help has been offered, and the poster's problem will sort itself out.

The smart-aleck in me wants to ask, "Now, you know the wide edge of the razor is not the edge that cuts...it's the skinny edge you're using, right?"

Don't worry, I'm just kidding!

Reminded of the lady who complained that the "foot switch" on her computer was broken...it was the mouse...

Like the man says in Zorro: "The pointy end goes into the other man!"

Just foolin' about here.

salish,

Out of curiosity, what is your hair color? My facial hair is mostly gray/white and I, while not looking for it specifically, have yet to see whiskers in lather after a shaving stroke. If your hair is light colored you probably will have difficullty in seeing shaved off stubble. What is the feel of whiskers on your face after an attempt at shaving; what is their appearance on your face if you look at yourself closely in the mirror? If your razor is not cutting at all, it would be as dull as a butter knife - and I bet it ain't that dull.

You may want to try contacting the seller to see if he would be willling to touch up the edge for you - that should eliminate one potential problem if the touched up razor works for the seller, it should work for you.

The references made to the angle of the razor to your face generally talk about the "30 degree angle." For me this has always been difficult to measure as my protractor always gets in the way of my razor. Try watching the angle you hold the razor while you're shaving and keeping it so the spine is off your face by about its own thickness. This works for me.

The other shaving angle is the attitude of the edge of the razor to the direction of travel or the shaving path. The edge need not be perpendicular to the direction of travel, as a matter of fact I've seen illustrations from barber manuals that advise holding the edge at an angle to the direction of movement. This will become more automatic for you as you get accustomed to using the razor. Just don't slice with the stroke, that is pull it sideways as make the stroke. With that type of movement you will find that you razor makes a fine scalpel.

good luck, good shaving