Thread: Help with a newbie and a jumpy blade

There is a big difference when you jump from a disposable straight razor to a regular straight razor and even more when that razor is a 6/8 blade or wider. With a disposable, you can get away with a much more open angle than you can with the real straight. With a 6/8 blade the tendency is to bend the wrist back opening up the blade angle to 45 degrees or more. That causes all kinds of problems including scraping and pulling. Jumping tends to be more a problem with lather or tentative shaving. Make sure you keep the razor vertical when shaving. Think in terms of the razor spine being only one width off the face. Try this just from the sideburn to the jaw on one side till you get it and then move on. You will have to compensate more on the chin and other tough places just as you learned to do with the disposable.

Have fun.

You could try a bit of pre shave cream, like Proraso, too. I think it really helps the glide esp when you're new.

Scary how common my experience was to yours. I too started with a DE before shavette (with Feather blade) and finally a Dovo Bismarck I had the exact experience as you where the "real" straight had issues but it was a combination of lather, stropping technique and angle I guess. I really just stuck with it until I started shaving pretty well. I'm still quite new at this (3 mo) but right now a straight is all I ever use and I am really enjoying the process of learning more. I am already to the closeness of my DE tho. So stick with it!

I too just purchased one of those Bismarks. When I got it I simply could not get a good shave I had cheaper razors that would shave better. I contacted the seller and they quickly responded and told me to strop it 50x and to try shaving at a steeper angle, almost flat to my face 30 degrees or less. Once I tried this I got the best shave I have ever had and continue to do so. As long as your razor came professionally sharpened this may solve your problem as it did mine. Its a very good razor and has a reputation of being one of the better shaving razors out there.

Originally Posted by ny70

So about 2 years ago I switched to a DE for all the usual reasons. About 2 months ago I picked up a shavette and discovered what a great shave typically using feather DE blades. So last week I picked up my first true Straight Razo a Dovo Bismark from SRD. I was surprised that I was haveing trouble shaving since the shavette was like second nature. I'm getting a lot of tuging and the blade seems to jump on me. Obviously I'm not doing something right. Was hoping you guys could help diagnose the issue the help speed thelearning curve. In terms of razor sharpness the blad does cut hair in the HHT but more often then not it will shave the hir length wise as aposed to just cutting through it.
All help for the newbie is appreciated
Thanks

Your post validates my belief that each person's journey into the straights is a little different. It probably explains why those of us who finally figured it out never get tired of straight shaving.

As you gain experience you'll instinctively hit on techniques that will give you better shaves than you had before. Your blade angle will be different. Your lather will be different. Things you have read, or heard, or tried you will suddenly be able to execute to near perfection one day in front of the mirror. You won't understand why it didn't work yesterday and today it does.

It wouldn't be worth the time to do this, but if you read every post I made on this message board since I started to straight shave in March of 2010, you might get a snapshot of where I was at all learning stages if I expressed myself well enough. You might see where I was asking the same questions you were asking. You might see where I recommended something I no longer recommend. I take every post I write with advice seriously because I remember needing help, but at the same time I try to make sure I can be helpful before I respond. Sometimes I decide I am not comfortable enough with my knowledge base to respond.

When you "get it" you will wonder exactly how you learned. Getting advice here is valuable, but the pieces may not fit until sometime later down the road. Part of the difficulty learning is also part of the fun as you acquire a skill not a lot of people possess. Most people can not get close, comfortable shaves with the equipment they're using. Those of us here are among the few that have found the right equipment.

Gents, thank you. The advice and support has been great. I'm definitly going to give this a fair shake. And lynn thank you for the reminder that it is ok to start small, get profeciant then expand. You don't learn to ride a bike by entering the tour de france. I'm really concentrating on keeping a small angle on the blade and I added a litte glycering to my lather and yesterdays shave as better...all in do time