Thread: Straight razor shave not as close or smooth as shavette?

I got a shave ready Henckels razor and was wondering why it only seemed to be scraping off lather instead of actually shaving. I chalked it up to my technique (I am a newbie, after all). But then I did 10 x-strokes on my new barbers hone with the Dovo my brother gave me (which has not been honed since he got it, he said), and it had no issue mowing through my whiskers. So now I know the Henckels just wasn't sharp enough, despite having come honed from a reputable seller. I did 10 x-strokes on the hone with it and will use it next time I shave, see how it does.

interesting. is there anyone else who went from a shavette to the real thing like I did and experienced something similar? If so, what was the result? I'm going to give it another go tonight (had an ingrown hair i had to let heal first) and see what happens.

Originally Posted by vilago

...i did strop it before use, but only because i was instructed to do so by SRD.

Sorry to cast doubts, but is that really the case? I haven't bought a razor from them before, but if I did, I would assume it were shave ready and just go shave with it. It's hard to believe that they'd recommend novice shavers should strop them first!

Actually it's not.

We have had so many people talk about not being able to do the HHT with an oiled razor, that we have gone to recommending that the oil be cleaned off the razor and it be stropped before shaving.

Most people just clean off the oil and shave with them regardless.

The biggest problem is either poor or conflicting information on some forums and the fact that new guys expectations are above their abilities on their first shave. Invariably when technique is a problem, a lot of folks look to every thing except that as the fault.

Add to this that the OP has gone from a shavette to a 6/8 razor. You can get away with a more open angle with the shavette than you can a real straight and most people who transition struggle with this when they switch to a 5/8 razor let alone a 6/8. The key remains to make sure the razor is more vertical or keep the spine about one width off the face or less than 30 degrees for the razor to cut properly. I normally recommend going back to ground zero when switching and just shave from one sideburn to the jaw on one side of the face until you get the technique down and then move on to the cheeks, neck and save the chin for last.

Have fun

Originally Posted by northpaw

Sorry to cast doubts, but is that really the case? I haven't bought a razor from them before, but if I did, I would assume it were shave ready and just go shave with it. It's hard to believe that they'd recommend novice shavers should strop them first!

Originally Posted by Lynn

Actually it's not.

We have had so many people talk about not being able to do the HHT with an oiled razor, that we have gone to recommending that the oil be cleaned off the razor and it be stropped before shaving.

Most people just clean off the oil and shave with them regardless.

The biggest problem is either poor or conflicting information on some forums and the fact that new guys expectations are above their abilities on their first shave. Invariably when technique is a problem, a lot of folks look to every thing except that as the fault.

Add to this that the OP has gone from a shavette to a 6/8 razor. You can get away with a more open angle with the shavette than you can a real straight and most people who transition struggle with this when they switch to a 5/8 razor let alone a 6/8. The key remains to make sure the razor is more vertical or keep the spine about one width off the face or less than 30 degrees for the razor to cut properly. I normally recommend going back to ground zero when switching and just shave from one sideburn to the jaw on one side of the face until you get the technique down and then move on to the cheeks, neck and save the chin for last.

Have fun

About the proper angle. Should I start with the razor flat against my face and then slowing increase the angle until it cuts? Once it cuts is that the proper angle?
I have noticed that I can shave at that angle but if I open it up to a wider angle, it will shave also. I think at the wider angle it is more comfortable but not as close.

Flat against the face will not cut either but it gives a good picture from there of the spine one spine width off the face. That and more vertical so to speak really helps most guys. Some still struggle with this a little simply from a tactile perspective and there is a real tendency for people to bend their wrist back once they start their shaving stroke. You can still shave as stated with a more open stroke, but that's where the scraping and less hair removal comes in and where a lot of people think the razor is to blame vs. technique. At the end of the day, a little patience and practice gets almost everyone success and then the fun begins.

Originally Posted by joepa150

About the proper angle. Should I start with the razor flat against my face and then slowing increase the angle until it cuts? Once it cuts is that the proper angle?
I have noticed that I can shave at that angle but if I open it up to a wider angle, it will shave also. I think at the wider angle it is more comfortable but not as close.

Lynn, thanks for these tips, i really appreciate it. I'm not trying to knock your honing which is why i came here first to get some feedback. i'll try a more vertical angle and hopefully that is where the problem lies, which is a simpler solution as well.

Not a problem.

We deal with the shavette transition to real straight razor frequently here and most people struggle a bit in the beginning. For most, once you get past the technique difference, it's smooth sailing.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by vilago

Lynn, thanks for these tips, i really appreciate it. I'm not trying to knock your honing which is why i came here first to get some feedback. i'll try a more vertical angle and hopefully that is where the problem lies, which is a simpler solution as well.