Thread: Straight Razor Ain't Cutting It

Literally, that is. First, I'd like to say hello to the forum, as this is my first post. I've been shaving with a straight razor for about three weeks now. I have yet to cut a whisker despite the fact that I have purchased and used two "shave ready" straight razors . The first one broke (scales) the second razor felt sharper, but it won't cut my whiskers. I've followed the shaving instructions to a T, as well as studied everything I can on this web page. The proper way to lather, I've shaved with the grain, across the grain, and against the grain, over and over, but nary a whisker comes off. I've also tried to sharpen the edge on the strop I bought with the razor, but I achieve the same results when I shave. This morning I finally shaved with my safety razor so that I wouldn't look so scruffy. Does anyone have suggestions that may be of help?

Thanks!
Cliff

did the razor pull during the shave?
Also stropping does not sharpen it just realigns the edge.

Could be a couple of things, possibly you rolled the edge of the razor while you were stropping, You might be using too much, or too small of an angle. Or possibly the razor wasn't totally shave ready. It's really hard to determine. For angles the razor should be about one spine width away from your face. Proper face prep is a consideration too.

Thanks Mainaman & Carrie,

No, there was no pulling feeling during shaving. Also, I experimented with different angles during my shaves. I shaved several times before stropping, so I don't think the stropping is the cause of the problem (although it could be now). Before shaving I wash my face with soap and water, then rinse.

Thanks,
Cliff

Alright here's the scoop. Since you're probably just starting out, don't expect the world's greatest shave during the first week or two. When you say that the razors are shave ready, then they likely are, but poor technique will mimic a poorly honed razor every time. Don't worry about it too much, soldier on and things will start to really come together after the first couple weeks.

The other thing not mentioned is where you got the razors. Refer to the first paragraph if you bought the razor from either a reputable dealer here or from the classifieds. If you bought a 'shave ready' razor from ebay, and antique store, or if it has Pakistan stamped on the side, then you may have to either have the razor honed or in the case of the Paki razor, throw it away.

+1 on all the advice above. In addition, I'd suggest staying with the grain until you figure the rest out. When you shave with the grain, the whiskers should shave easily. If you have a bad angle, technique, or razor, then nothing good will come from shaving in other more-aggressive directions.

You hear this a lot on the forums but what is it????

Prep your beard really well then make the best lather you can manage, wet your face and lather up... Wait ,,, wait,,,wait about 2 minutes.. Now during that waiting you could be stropping the razor but most Honemeisters ask that you DO NOT strop before the first shave...

Now wet the razor.

And on your strong side using your strong hand stretching the skin by pulling up with the weak hand over the top of your head...Start at the Sideburn using a 20-30 degree angle (about 2 spine widths from the face) shave to the jaw line,,, No pressure toward the skin just a nice smooth stroke WTG...

The razor should not pull, tug, or skip, in fact you should be rather surprised with how easy it was... That is it, now do the other side and stop...

If it didn't work, then it might actually be the edge... and I still say might, because there are still things in there a Newb can mess up, but we eliminated a ton of them...

Really until this works well, there is no sense in trying the rest of your face, it will just hurt...


I really think you should contact the guy that honed them and ask what he thinks too...

I am having trouble believing this post.

If the razor is a quality razor and it sharp, and if the shaver is using the right technique, then whiskers will be cut. If the razor is sharp and the technique is bad, skin will be cut and we'll hear complaints on that score.

It's impossible to pass a sharp blade over lathered beard and have nothing happen. Either the razor is not sharp, or the technique is wholly deficient.

I've had sharp razors that did not cut very well, because I had the wrong angle or whatnot but I could still see cut whiskers down in the lather and in the sink.

Maybe the OP needs to post a video? This just seems wrong to me.

Sorry to sound cynical, but this is simple stuff. No mysteries. Sharp, smooth edge, right angle, correct force....hair is cut.

Sounds weird to me too. When my razors are not sharp, they pull as hell, they goes bumpy and they cut the whiskers unevenly. I can't even thin about going XTG or ATG, it would be masochistic.

My two cents.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I am having trouble believing this post.

If the razor is a quality razor and it sharp, and if the shaver is using the right technique, then whiskers will be cut. If the razor is sharp and the technique is bad, skin will be cut and we'll hear complaints on that score.

It's impossible to pass a sharp blade over lathered beard and have nothing happen. Either the razor is not sharp, or the technique is wholly deficient.

I've had sharp razors that did not cut very well, because I had the wrong angle or whatnot but I could still see cut whiskers down in the lather and in the sink.

Maybe the OP needs to post a video? This just seems wrong to me.

Sorry to sound cynical, but this is simple stuff. No mysteries. Sharp, smooth edge, right angle, correct force....hair is cut.

Sorry, but this happens with new guys all the time. They try hanging hair tests right after wiping oil off and when the razor won't cut the hair and then they use an improper angle which verifies their premonition. Most of the time, it is simply a poor angle and the razor scrapes or pulls vs. cutting hair. Then they play with the angles a bit and it cuts a few hairs. It may be simple to you, but for many new guys it is not. This is really a learned art and if the new guy just sticks with watching for a 30 degree or less angle and uses a light touch and short strokes followed by longer clean up strokes on one small area of the face until they get it, they will usually get it. I always take a razor back for re-honing and in almost every case, I can shave with the razor after stropping 50-60 times. I have really gone more to recommending a good stropping these days after the oil is wiped off. The worst thing that can happen is a rolled edge and the razor can always be re-honed.

Most new guys are pretty tentative when starting out and discomfort is far more common than nicks in my experience.

The biggest problem is posts like above and the new guy who is frustrated to begin with expecting the best shave in his life out of the blocks and looks to blame everything but himself.

Every person is not created equally with regard to dexterity and for some, it just takes getting used to holding the razor and practicing a little. The hand has a natural tendency to bend back with a razor in it producing from 45 to 90 degree angles. I have to watch this myself after all these years when it comes to the chin area.

The easiest part of all this is to re-hone a razor for someone, but you can't do the shaving for them. They do have to learn it on their own and in most cases eventually end up enjoying the sport a ton.

Have fun,

Lynn