Shave ready?

**Wayne1963** · 02-24-2013, 07:06 PM

I got my first straight yesterday, a vintage Wade and Butcher from Razor Emporium. It was supposed to be shave ready, so I did not strop it as I'm new to stropping and didn't want to dull it. There was not one single stroke that was comfortable, this thing was tugging and pulling the whole time. I know how to prep and build lather as I've been DE shaving for years now. I know how to use a light touch, as I shave with open combs and slants. If the bad shave were due to technique, I would think at least a few of the strokes would've went well, but even on the flat portions of my face it was misery! So I've ordered a new razor, sharpened by Lynn Abrahms. This time if the shave is misery, I'll know it was my fault. Pray for me, I ain't giving up on this!

**gssixgun** · 02-24-2013, 07:58 PM

Don't know much of the Vendor, as they are not affiliated with SRP in any way, but I would assume you contacted them and asked if they would help you through the first shave or maybe take a re-look at the razor????

**thebigspendur** · 02-24-2013, 10:01 PM

It's hard to give advice to rookies because you could have the shavingest razor in the world but if your technique is not developed and lacking you're in for trouble.

I know when I first used a straight I had a TI which was shave ready however it didn't do me any good because I didn't have a clue and my first few shaves were, well....best forgotten.

My face starts to hurt when I think about those first attempts.

**Wayne1963** · 02-24-2013, 11:45 PM

Yeah, my technique is far from developed! Shaved my cheeks today with good results, but nicked my chin 5 times. Had to finish up with one of my open combs. Back to watching my Lynn Abrahms DVD. If I ever met him I'll either hug him or shoot him...ain't figured out which just yet!

**Wayne1963** · 02-24-2013, 11:48 PM

Thanks for the reply. After I recieve my new Dovo from StraightRazorDesigns, I'll see if my results are any better. If not, then I'll know it's my technique (or lack there-of) that is the problem.

**old** · 02-27-2013, 08:42 AM

Thanks for the walk down memory lane.....the dreaded chin whiskers. For what it is worth, good hot towel, pre-shave oil, stretch the skin, go slow, short repetitive strokes, and LOTS of uTube watching. Take the time to figure out your face and how the hair grows. What is xtg for others may be wtg for you! You are not alone. It is a rite of passage.

**ace** · 02-27-2013, 10:57 AM

Here's the alternative for short strokes on the chin. The technique takes time to develop and works well:

Cut-throat Razor shave - YouTube

**PLJ** · 02-27-2013, 02:56 PM

It could just be the geders of using the straight. I've had Razor Emporium rehone three razors for me and all came back with a super scary sharp edge.

**GunnerFrey** · 04-04-2013, 09:25 PM

I have just bought my first new straight razor from The Art of Shaving. I bought a Thiers-Issard with SS handle. This razor was supposed to be shave ready, which it was not. I have been using straight razors my whole shaving life since this was how my dad taught me to shave. He taught me how to properly strop a blade, but he always sent our blades to my grandfather to hone. This new blade needs to be honed, and I would like to do it myself. I inherited a washita stone from him, and have sharpened many knives on it but was unsure if this stone was appropriate to hone a razor. If so, how many strokes, on average, would be a good place to start, and if not, what type of stone should I look for? Thank you all for your time.

**Corgi** · 04-04-2013, 10:05 PM

Shave ready is in the eye of the beholder. I sent some razors out to be honed by someone who was supposed to know what he was doing (and I'm sure he did), but they came back pulling and tugging at my whiskers like there's no tomorrow. I've also bought straights from ebay that said "shave ready" and they made my face smooth as a billiard ball without any effort.

I guess it also depends on the type of beard. Sometimes the person honing a razor and advertising it as shave ready only has a thin beard, and the razor easily (and therefore honestly) passes the shave test. The lesson I learned is that it's best to send a razor out to a well-known honemeister. As a standard for "shave ready" I always have my Feather Artist Club, with which I've never gotten a bad shave--and I can tell the difference when a razor is too dull to comfortably shave with, at the first stroke.

Bottom line: when you're learning straight-razor shaving, you don't want to add the extra variable of "is my razor sharp?"--it's challenging enough to learn with a perfect edge.

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