Straight razor is pulling on my beard

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12-26-2012, 05:54 PM
gsingh13

Straight razor is pulling on my beard

I am a new starter with the straight razor but I am having some difficulty in the cutting area. Basically what is happening is when I glide the razor accross my face the razor is pulling on my har and its not cutting it. I've tried stropping it before each shave but still no joy. I know it has nothing to do with how a lather or lubricate the hairs because when I then switch to my disposable razor, which has been re-used about 11 times, the hairs cut without any problems. Ironically I've had more cuts using my disposable Bic razor than I've had with my cut throat one. Any ideas of what could be the problem.
12-26-2012, 06:01 PM
Ryan82

Welcome to SRP.

If the razor is gliding over the whiskers and not cutting at any angle it is likely either a rolled edge or an unhoned blade. If the razor was purchased shave ready it will be the former. Either way some more time on the hones will be required to fix it.
12-26-2012, 06:06 PM
gsingh13

Hi. Thanks for your welcome. Well I bought the razor recently and I assumed the razor was ready to use straight out the box but that doesn't seem to be the case. It didn't say anywhere from where I bought it wether it can be used straight off or not. I have tried several different angles but at each angle it's pulling on my hairs and not cutting. I will do what you said and hone the blade.
12-26-2012, 06:10 PM
earcutter

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Hi. Thanks for your welcome. Well I bought the razor recently and I assumed the razor was ready to use straight out the box but that doesn't seem to be the case. It didn't say anywhere from where I bought it wether it can be used straight off or not. I have tried several different angles but at each angle it's pulling on my hairs and not cutting. I will do what you said and hone the blade.

Not to be rude or to state that whoever sold you the razor is wrong per se, but I have never pulled out a blade from the box that was ready to go. That said, I haven't done it all that much, but having been on these forums for a while - it seems to be the consensus.

I wish you all the best of luck and welcome to SRP! Shaving with a straight once you have it down (and honed lol), is a fantastic skill, and a fantastic shave!
12-26-2012, 06:20 PM
Slartibartfast

What type of razor is this?
12-26-2012, 06:33 PM
gsingh13

It's an ENZO razor.
12-26-2012, 06:42 PM
Slartibartfast

I think you may have issues with this razor.

https://www.google.com/search?q=enzo...razorplace.com
12-26-2012, 06:48 PM
gsingh13

Is there anything to salvage here. The reason why I bought this razor was because I'm a begginer and I didn't want to buy a DOVO razor just yet.
12-26-2012, 07:03 PM
gsingh13

"Buy a Dovo Best quality" that is what I intend on doing. I bought the Enzo razor as a practise razor. Is it worth honing this razor? Will it sharpen the edge enough for me to practise on it?
12-26-2012, 07:05 PM
gssixgun

Straight Razor Place - Welcome to Straight Razor Place

The Beginners Tips on the front page this month was written for you :)
12-26-2012, 07:21 PM
gsingh13

Yes I shall have a good read of it. In the mean time shall I have my razor honed? Could a local barber do it?
12-26-2012, 07:25 PM
HarleyFXST

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Yes I shall have a good read of it. In the mean time shall I have my razor honed? Could a local barber do it?

No. Use it as a letter opener/box cutter
12-26-2012, 07:34 PM
gsingh13

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

No. Use it as a letter opener/box cutter

Please thats not very helpful.
12-26-2012, 07:38 PM
HarleyFXST

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Please thats not very helpful.

It may not be what you wanted to hear, but it is an honest answer. I could have lied and said "Sure, give it a try", because you wouldn't be spending my money. In this community we try to help/guide anyone that needs it. I wasn't being flippant. I want you to succeed. Good luck.
12-26-2012, 08:05 PM
gsingh13

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

It may not be what you wanted to hear, but it is an honest answer. I could have lied and said "Sure, give it a try", because you wouldn't be spending my money. In this community we try to help/guide anyone that needs it. I wasn't being flippant. I want you to succeed. Good luck.

Thank you. I take it then honing this razor is going to be a pointless task. Can you recommend a razor that I can buy as a practise razor. I mean I don't want to be spending £100 on a razor just yet. I want one that i can practise on.
12-26-2012, 08:11 PM
earcutter

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

"Buy a Dovo Best quality" that is what I intend on doing. I bought the Enzo razor as a practise razor. Is it worth honing this razor? Will it sharpen the edge enough for me to practise on it?

I have never owned a Enzo so I can't speak to it's ability's from first hand experience - but "I" wouldn't spend any more time or money with it from what I have read - right now.

Please don't get discouraged though - in time you might be able to get it working when you can hone and give it all the attention it will need (allot more than a Dovo) - but as a starter blade, I feel you would be better served with the Dovo.

I wish you all the luck in the world - straight razor shaving is a great skill to master!!
12-26-2012, 08:34 PM
Castel33

Straight razor is pulling on my beard

There are a couple places you can by a good razor under 100 or even 50. Try the classifieds here, or the vendors corner. You can also try whippeddog.com

Those are your best bets for entry lvl blades that will be shave ready.
12-26-2012, 08:52 PM
gssixgun

There are some of the chaps on your side of the Pond that can guide you better then us over here

Neil Miller and Jamie aka celticcrusader here on SRP send them both a PM that says "HELP"

I only am guessing that you are in England from the monetary reference it really helps if you put yer location in your profile so we don't send you off in the wrong direction :)
12-26-2012, 10:36 PM
gsingh13

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I only am guessing that you are in England from the monetary reference it really helps if you put yer location in your profile so we don't send you off in the wrong direction :)

Of course. I've updated my profile now and I will a PM to those people who you have mentioned. Thanks.
12-26-2012, 11:06 PM
HarleyFXST

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Will this razor do:

TOP QUALITY CUT THROAT RAZORS - GERMAN STAINLESS STEEL - SHAVING RAZOR | eBay

No. That is another letter opener.... You should join us in the chatroom sometime. You can ask questions and get answers 'in real time'.
12-26-2012, 11:15 PM
gsingh13

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

No. That is another letter opener.... You should join us in the chatroom sometime. You can ask questions and get answers 'in real time'.

Thanks for letting me know.
12-28-2012, 03:45 AM
jasontg99

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Straight Razor Place - Welcome to Straight Razor Place

The Beginners Tips on the front page this month was written for you :)

We finally get a December Beginners Tip on the 24th??? Tongue planted firmly in cheek as Glen has half my razor collection in his hand. :p
12-28-2012, 05:30 AM
cheetahmeatpheonix

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsingh13

Will this razor do:

TOP QUALITY CUT THROAT RAZORS - GERMAN STAINLESS STEEL - SHAVING RAZOR | eBay

Let me help this wonderful person out before I go to bed. I would suggest that you invest in a quality razor instead of trying to get a "practice razor" One straight or cut throat razor will last a life time if treated properly. Theres a reason why they've been around so long and eventually passed on from generation to generation.

I've been on this forum for almost a year doing research and collecting and I started actually shaving 3 days ago. So I don't have alot of experience with the actual shaving part but I've been told that I have a knack for picking out quality razors for my collection by some of the other members based on what I have read here.

With that being said some of my favorite razors come from England. Wade & Butcher, Greaves & Sons, Joseph Elliot, Joseph Smith & Sons..to name a few. They are all over ebay right now. You can get lots of options for under 100. They may not be brand new but I feel like vintage razors are tried and true. All of my razors have come from ebay. Some shave ready and some not so shave ready...LOL If you find one or some in the U.S.A. then you win 2 times cause it'll be quality and the exchange rate favors you bloody blokes. Of course you'll pay in shipping but thats my 2 cents

I am no expert and I'm humbled everyday by some of the great people on this forum but a great place to start is the EBAY 101 thread for info.

Here are 3 that I found wth buy now options

Wade & Butcher

George Wostenholm Straight Pipe Razor

Antique George Wostenholm & Son Sheffield England

I might catch heat for presenting these options but this is where I would start. Once received I would find a reputable spot to have them/ it honed then keep it for the next 100 years.

If you feel like bidding sometimes deals can be found. I scored this one earlier today so it may pay to be patient.

Let people on this forum guide you and take a swing around the London Eye for me.

Thanks

Appolllo
12-28-2012, 06:33 AM
Grazor

Calm down Cheetah, let's just get him shaving before we get him collecting :deal:
12-28-2012, 04:42 PM
Minnebrew

True, you want an easy start, skip ebay and check classifieds, whipped dog, or other reputable vender that can make it shave ready as well as give you a quality blade. Meet with someone and learn what you are doing then give it a go and you will wonder why you ever were NOT shaving with a straight!
12-28-2012, 06:08 PM
cheetahmeatpheonix

Yeah what was I thinking...offering advice and all....trying to help others.
12-28-2012, 06:18 PM
RARamirez

Straight razor is pulling on my beard

I inderstand you want to start cheap but, I got my shave kit from this place:

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/starterkits.html

I got the first one. It comes with pretty much everything you need to get started. I've been at it for about 9 months now and still have everything that came with it (lots of soap left,strop in working order, etc) So you get your money's worth. IMO, I would get something of quality so that instead of getting turned off by this hobby, you start out loving it as much as I do and every other member here. There also sites like whippeddog.com I would check out. They sell quality razors and strops. The razors are vintage that have been restored some what, but will shave good and are cheap if your really that set on doing it on the cheap
12-28-2012, 06:35 PM
Grazor

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

Yeah what was I thinking...offering advice and all....trying to help others.

Sorry me old mate, they are nice razors you have pointed out, but i just think for a new guy, point him to one that is truly shave ready so he doesn't get discouraged any more than he may be already. Nice score on the Masonic BTW.