Thread: Avoiding Nicks and Cuts

I'm back on this great site after putting down my Dovo Forester for a year because I nicked it on the faucet and wasn't in a hurry to get it fixed and re- sharpened here. I guess I was discouraged too. But I started using a good safety razor and learned how my beard grew and what were the hard parts to get clean. I mastered it and got great shaves with it. But I was pulled back to the straight razor. I sent it in, got it fixed and sharpened. I tried it and found that I hadn't mastered the angle. So I bought a shavette and am using those long Feather shavette blades. Not having to worry about stropping, I learned what the angle should be and the advantage of being able to adjust it. Sure, a couple of times I put in down perpendicular and got a good cut but after that I learned to start with it flat against my face and then adjust when I was ready until it felt right. The toughest part is at either corner of my mouth. Surprisingly, my upper lip is no problem. I want to say that the use of a shavette really helps in the learning process. I'll try my regular Dovo again since I haven't used it since I began to have doubts about it. I strop it before and after use and then apply a thin coat of oil.
Has anyone had any experience with Dovo razors? I wonder if this is just not a good cutter. I am considering buying a stropping paddle and either diamond or chromium past. If anyone can recommend a better straight razor, I'm open to suggestions.
Anyway, I had to tell about my success and I am very encouraged. Learning to do my own honing is next.
It is good to be back!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by Horvath421

I'm back on this great site after putting down my Dovo Forester for a year because I nicked it on the faucet and wasn't in a hurry to get it fixed and re- sharpened here. I guess I was discouraged too. But I started using a good safety razor and learned how my beard grew and what were the hard parts to get clean. I mastered it and got great shaves with it. But I was pulled back to the straight razor. I sent it in, got it fixed and sharpened. I tried it and found that I hadn't mastered the angle. So I bought a shavette and am using those long Feather shavette blades. Not having to worry about stropping, I learned what the angle should be and the advantage of being able to adjust it. Sure, a couple of times I put in down perpendicular and got a good cut but after that I learned to start with it flat against my face and then adjust when I was ready until it felt right. The toughest part is at either corner of my mouth. Surprisingly, my upper lip is no problem. I want to say that the use of a shavette really helps in the learning process. I'll try my regular Dovo again since I haven't used it since I began to have doubts about it. I strop it before and after use and then apply a thin coat of oil.
Has anyone had any experience with Dovo razors? I wonder if this is just not a good cutter. I am considering buying a stropping paddle and either diamond or chromium past. If anyone can recommend a better straight razor, I'm open to suggestions.
Anyway, I had to tell about my success and I am very encouraged. Learning to do my own honing is next.
It is good to be back!
Thanks!

Let me see if I got this right #1 Was the dovo ready to shave at anytime?Has it ever been honed by a good razor sharpener?Has the razor ever been beveled(1000 grit water stone) and honed after that with 4000 grit ---------------12,000 grit stones?After this stropped with linen side then leather strop side?
# 2---IF this has not worked ,happens once in a while the steel material is not a good grade.D0 not use diamond paddles steel grits on razors--that will ruin a good razor.THE STEEL IS THE HEART OF A RAZOR---same goes for knifes.You have to have proper hones best are Japanese made(not cheap).It takes time to proper sharpen a razor,i made many mistakes,it all comes slow and easy.Best first to practice on some cheap razor.BE sure the bevel is straight across without high and low spots.Use a mag.glass to check the bevel.
#3-- Use what ever works for you @ first do not get in a hurry and get discouraged.It all take a little time.Be sure and prep you face good before any shave.Depending on you $$ situation use good steel,most german steel is excellent ,the 5/8" -----6/8" are your better starting blades for shaving light through medium beards.i am no expert but this is what has worked for me in the past------james

Hi James!
Thanks for getting back to me about this.
I have had the Dovo Forestal blade sharpened and repaired at this site. When I got it back I put it down for about a year as I said. Then after success with the shavette, I tried the Dovo again. I stropped it about 10 times on both sides before and after. I notice that with the shavette, there was no problem shaving my upper lip but with the Dovo, it didn't work no matter what angle I tried. The Dovo did seem to work on my neck and throat area when the angle was extremely small (2 degrees?). I would say my beard is about medium. I have tried St. James Pre-Shave Oil and liked it and I will try that again with the Dovo.
I suspect that this blade is not up to it compared to other blades that people are using here.
I read here, I think, that chromium oxide paste is safer to use than diamond paste. Both are offered at this site's companion, Straight Razor Designs.
I will eventually try honing a cheap razor just to learn. I have an upcoming hand tool woodworking class in May 2016 with Roy Underhill and will be learning how to sharpen chisels. At least this will give me an introduction to the whetstones, and sharpening steel. He is a purist so they will probably be Arkansas whetstones. A friend who was my roommate back in 1962 at a military academy is now a master craftsman knife making blacksmith. I think he is now above journeyman. His work is beautiful!
Traditional straight razors, sharpening and shaving that way is a great hobby! What kind of razor are you using?
Thanks again!
Phil

Originally Posted by Horvath421

Hi James!
Thanks for getting back to me about this.
I have had the Dovo Forestal blade sharpened and repaired at this site. When I got it back I put it down for about a year as I said. Then after success with the shavette, I tried the Dovo again. I stropped it about 10 times on both sides before and after. I notice that with the shavette, there was no problem shaving my upper lip but with the Dovo, it didn't work no matter what angle I tried. The Dovo did seem to work on my neck and throat area when the angle was extremely small (2 degrees?). I would say my beard is about medium. I have tried St. James Pre-Shave Oil and liked it and I will try that again with the Dovo.
I suspect that this blade is not up to it compared to other blades that people are using here.
I read here, I think, that chromium oxide paste is safer to use than diamond paste. Both are offered at this site's companion, Straight Razor Designs.
I will eventually try honing a cheap razor just to learn. I have an upcoming hand tool woodworking class in May 2016 with Roy Underhill and will be learning how to sharpen chisels. At least this will give me an introduction to the whetstones, and sharpening steel. He is a purist so they will probably be Arkansas whetstones. A friend who was my roommate back in 1962 at a military academy is now a master craftsman knife making blacksmith. I think he is now above journeyman. His work is beautiful!
Traditional straight razors, sharpening and shaving that way is a great hobby! What kind of razor are you using?
Thanks again!
Phil

What size is your razor? Could be the size of the razor or its the steel its made from.One of the top blades years ago was the devo "bismark" they still make them and they are" full hollow blade"they make a 5/8" and 6/8".The blade is very thin and so smooth.About the pastes they are great on the linen strop,there are also sprays used .5 mic being a good one.
If you are going to get into honing check out all the you-tube videos that are out there.This really helps!To start with stick with" Japanese wet stones".I am sticking with water wet stones,Have tried the ceramic did not care for them.THERE are a few Chinese stones that are ok,but you have to make sure they are decent.Four stone grits you need for sure ---1000 grit(main stone for bevel)----4000 grit, 6000 grit,and last 8000 grit finishing stone.You can also find some used stones on e.fay,but use caution and question the seller as to the condition-----NO CRACKS,SMILEY FACES, OR CHIPS ON STONE !
I have around 50 razors I buy and sell all the time.So far my favorite to shave with is a 6/8"henckel,thiers-issard-5/8 (French) and bismark by devo 6/8".
you can check e.fay and find some $ 5---------$ 15 razors to work onThank--james glock17@suddenlink.net

Hey James!
A quick reply. I think my Dovo is 5/8". Also, I'm certain it is hollow ground because I paid attention to that when I selected the blade. I'll take a look at the 6/8" Henckel, Thiers Issard blade. Sounds interesting. I'll check ebay for cheap blades to learn to hone with. Is efay a site is did you misspell ebay. I see by your email, that you probably own a Glock. These times with efforts to take our guns away, it is a good idea. I only have a Henry 30-30 lever action rifle. But should consider a hand gun.
Got to get back to work.
Have a great weekend!
Phil

Originally Posted by Horvath421

Hey James!
A quick reply. I think my Dovo is 5/8". Also, I'm certain it is hollow ground because I paid attention to that when I selected the blade. I'll take a look at the 6/8" Henckel, Thiers Issard blade. Sounds interesting. I'll check ebay for cheap blades to learn to hone with. Is efay a site is did you misspell ebay. I see by your email, that you probably own a Glock. These times with efforts to take our guns away, it is a good idea. I only have a Henry 30-30 lever action rifle. But should consider a hand gun.
Got to get back to work.
Have a great weekend!
Phil

I did that on purpose some forums do not like to mention other sellers,or dealers.wow--cannot figure that blade out should give a better shave.You might check that edge with a magnifying glass and check the blade for chips,flea-bites or ,uneven bevel.Something is wrong somewhere.keep in touch.

Thanks James I'll do that. I'll keep in touch.
Phil

Guy's ive been left slightly confused from my shave last night as i've been getting better and better of late

I put a new blade in, lathered up and started on the neck (I have a full beard so only shave my neck/cheek lines

I used my right hand to come up the left side of my neck for a WTG pass (which i do struggle with sometimes), i did one long stroke with quite a shallow blade angle, and literally my neck looked like i had just done a pass with a cheese grater,......and the blood was rather prevalent!!!

I did feel some "tug" throughout the pass, so im wondering if perhaps i was a bit too heavy handed and forced the pass? rather than a light touch and smaller strokes?

As a side question what do you guys do when you feel a tug, which with a new blade im guessing is a stubborn hair?

all thoughts welcome

Originally Posted by Jamesr4300

Guy's ive been left slightly confused from my shave last night as i've been getting better and better of late

I put a new blade in, lathered up and started on the neck (I have a full beard so only shave my neck/cheek lines

I used my right hand to come up the left side of my neck for a WTG pass (which i do struggle with sometimes), i did one long stroke with quite a shallow blade angle, and literally my neck looked like i had just done a pass with a cheese grater,......and the blood was rather prevalent!!!

I did feel some "tug" throughout the pass, so im wondering if perhaps i was a bit too heavy handed and forced the pass? rather than a light touch and smaller strokes?

As a side question what do you guys do when you feel a tug, which with a new blade im guessing is a stubborn hair?

all thoughts welcome

james,what kind of razor are you using,is it a safety razor?Short stokes always better,check the blade first be sure its sharp,to much pressure on blade could be the culprit.If the blade checks out ok,then your prep pre shave could be the problem use shaving oil will soften the hairs and shave easier,there are pre-shave creams,many pre-shave oils such as Argan oil,Camellia oil,or Proraso cream".Creamo" has great products also for shaving and pre-shaving products.Even baby oil on your face will help.Remember oils like argan and camellia need to be mixed with a glycerin mix.Always wash face first with warm water & soap,then use a pre-shave cream or oil.ALSO--what kind of lather do you use,you need to use a product that has good moisturizers,most gels,soaps do not have any decent moisturizers!if you cannot find this products check out f.bay .You can find cremo at walgreens,wal-mart they will refund your money on the first cream container---its free on the the first one!!.HOpe this has helped you-----thanks james

Hi Semperfi

Thanks for the response,

I am using a shavette style razor with Astra platinum blades (which last night was a brand new blade)

Shave prep is Shower, exfoliate, moisturise, lather, shave (Also when I oil my beard i oil the shaved area to keep it all healthy)

I'm starting to think its likely a pressure issue maybe, I thought shaving up/down my neck was producing a wtg/atg pass but the way the hair grows its mostly a xtg pass, so by trying to go at a slight angle across the neck im now doing as near enough a wtg pass.

Regards