Thread: Returning to a straight (advice desired)

Hi there, and I apologise if I start here by writing too much!

Back-story:

About 5 years ago I started using a straight razor; I don't really remember why, but I probably thought it looked cool; regardless, I stopped after about a year, and ended up using an electric. A few weeks ago I started waking up earlier, and figured I'd give the thing another crack - and I'm glad I did, it's a very relaxing way to kick off the day.

I currently have:

A Dovo 5/8 hollow (sent out for honing when received).
Dovo XL leather strop.
8k Norton waterstone.
Badger brush (I can't recall the brand).
Taylor of old Bond Street sandalwood.

My problems:

It's been so long, that I feel like I need to start again. The razor drags a bit in the usual areas, and some spots on my face it doesn't seem to cut the hair at all (dimples, so I assume technique). At the moment, I'm only doing one pass with the grain.

I think I'm stropping ok, albeit straight and not X, which I believe is ok on the wider strop; I keep it taut, and am careful not to swipe the tip.

When I came back to this, I gave the blade about 30 laps on the 8k, which may have been a mistake. I never lapped the stone (I didn't know what lapping was), so I went back, lapped it, and did a good few more passes. It doesn't pass the hanging hair test, and it's no better at shaving than it was before. I don't really have any honing experience, or enough SR shaving experience to state the issue, but I assume the blade isn't sharp enough any more. I don't know if I can (or should even try) to get it there on the 8k; I'm wondering if I should just send it off somewhere and use the electric until I get it back.

Should I even try to get it shave-ready, as a beginner, with only an 8k?

I would send it out and you definately want to use a lapped hone. Also you can dull your razor stropping without even knowing it. If you lift the spine at all you can roll your edge, and also if you use too much pressure. There are many variables, and bieng fresh to it I wouldn't start out honing. Especially with your shaver. If you want to get into honing I would get a cheap razor and try with it first. I would also go ahead and try to get a 1k, 4k, and 10k or 12k so you will have em. My first 1k was a king stone but I've gone to naniwa ss. Naniwa ss is also what I have for 12k. I also have a norton 4k-8k combo. Honing maybe a way off for you though so don't get discouraged if you don't pick it up quickly. And just to let you know whipped dog is a great site to get shavers and not junk (they may not look the greatest but they will shave). You maybe able to buy a cheap razor from whipped dog that isn't already shave ready but you may have to message him to ask about that. But good luck and happy shaving

Also start out slow with stroping to make shure you're still doing it correctly. And I also thought something was wron when my razors were pulling. I slowed down and paid more attention to my angle while shaving and it made all of the difference.

Hi there, and thank you for the reply.

I'll send the blade off, and look into getting 1/4/12k stones, and an old blade to practice on. My current blade has some sentimental value, so I'm probably best off not practising with it.

My story is very similar to yours. I didn't shave with a straight for 3-4 years

It truly was like starting anew for me when I picked up the straight again. Six months later I knew more than I ever did. Put your heart into it and stick with it!

Look in the classifieds and find someone to hone for you. Or if that doesn't work for you then I'd be happy to do it for free.

Michael

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Or if that doesn't work for you then I'd be happy to do it for free.

Michael

Me too...

One razor, blaspemy! A man needs at least two so he can keep cleanly shaven in the event of your having to send one out to be honed.

Glad you returned to the great world of shaving Grenage.

Lol, that is clearly the case; a good excuse to expand...

Thank you for the offers of honing, chaps; I should probably look out for a UK based fellow - saves a lot on postage!