Thread: straight is catching

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

Ok I spoke with Larry yesterday and today. I didn't do a beard thinning pass very well which is probably part of the problem (I had a three day growth). I threw it on the Balsa strop and then gave it a good sixty strops on leather. The thinning pass went well but I still have a lot of skin that looks like stubble so on Larry's advice I'm gonna give it a couple days to let my face heal and then try again, because there was a lot less problem with this shave.

Ya know, I have still yet to try out the balsa strop I got along with my poorman's strop... Hell, I haven't even used the poorman's strop! I've just been using my Chicago brand strop my bro gave me along with his Dovo.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

What is a beard thinning pass? I get my best shaves with a 3 day beard and can shave it with one pass.

For me, a beard thinning pass is simply the first WTG pass. I do two WTG/XTG passes, paying attention to certain areas that need special attention.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I myself would consider rust a flaw.I dont buy rusted knives, I dont buy rusted guns. I dont buy rusted nails.

It's not rust... It's patina. There's a difference. The patina is harmless, and will come off if I try hard enough. When Larry says flaws, he means "scratched or warped scales, hone wear, and rust spots above the cutting edge." Yes, that's directly quoted from his site... Patina on the blade above the cutting edge is not considered a flaw, and honestly, it doesn't bother me one bit. If I ever want to, I just have to put some elbow grease into it and remove it. But I rather like the way it is right now...

The book Larry gives talks about laying the razor flat on the face and taking some length of the hair off so you can follow with a second easy pass and cut it off skin level with a normal pass.

I shaved against the grain on my cheeks today after 3 WTG passes and one XTG pass. The razor caught quite a bit. But Im soon going to have one to compare it to.

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

The book Larry gives talks about laying the razor flat on the face and taking some length of the hair off so you can follow with a second easy pass and cut it off skin level with a normal pass.

I shaved against the grain on my cheeks today after 3 WTG passes and one XTG pass. The razor caught quite a bit. But Im soon going to have one to compare it to.

Totally forgot about that method Larry suggests! Unfortunately I haven't gotten to try it yet... I've only ever had a three day's growth that has needed shaving. Perhaps I'll try it soon if I happen to skip more than a few days... Either way, good stuff Larry mentions. I love that guide he has available for download. That and Lynn's video is so helpful.

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

The book Larry gives talks about laying the razor flat on the face and taking some length of the hair off so you can follow with a second easy pass and cut it off skin level with a normal pass.

I shaved against the grain on my cheeks today after 3 WTG passes and one XTG pass. The razor caught quite a bit. But Im soon going to have one to compare it to.

Ok, now I'm curious..what book is this?

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Ok, now I'm curious..what book is this?

Not sure if I'm allowed to post the link (still not entirely 100% on the rules concerning vendors), but Larry's guide is available for free download on his site.

Checked and didn't see said "guide"

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Checked and didn't see said "guide"

I just checked and you're right... Odd, I swear I could've seen it before. I know he emailed it to me, and then I later saw it on his site. If you want, PM me your email addy and I'll shoot it your way. I've got it saved right on my desktop.

Originally Posted by Chreees

It's not rust... It's patina. There's a difference.

Yes there is, and that is rust,, In fact if I was to guess from the pattern I would guess Rust caused from Celluliod Rot..

Here is a thread with some pics that explains it pretty good

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ml#post1097633


But basically if it is Black it is rust, and honestly a true Patina without rust is pretty hard to find on a razor, the main point is that you like the razor, but that is rust

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

My new straight is doing pretty well. i shave tested it and it worked.Ive used it twice for full shaves. (I have shavette experience but this is my first straight.)

I'm using a wedge that i got from whipped dog. I think it is a bowden It doesn't say it on the razor but it does on the box, and its a wedge, which from what i can tell is their trademark.

Im getting some razor burn but i think that is just me learning angles. my question is when i get to my jaw/lower cheek the razor seems to dig slightly and then jump away from the hair. i can clean it up with a second pass but it contributes to the burn.

would you think this is stropping related or angle related ( as a test i shaved some arm hairit came off clean and with no irritation so i dont think its the strop,)

my set up has been vdh soap, warm lather with wd pure badger, strop, hot towel, heat Razor relather wtg, lather xtg. the razor still catches some resistance xtg but still glides.

post shave is applecider vinegar mixed with water and Olive oil and Nivea aftershave lotion. razor burn is gone in twenty.

I think the razor digging into you is something that will go away with experience. While I was learning I'd strike red oil in so many ways while I was doing everything right. If your razor has a spike point that can be a contributing factor. I can pretty much use any point with minimal drama now but still feel more comfortable with a round point.

That is an interesting aftershave concoction you have there. One thing I've found is that alcohol-based aftershave, which regular Nivea is, is best for my face after a shave. A balm may make it feel better at first, but if you want to stop the burn before the next shave it's best to fight "fire" with "fire." However, when I was using cartridge razors, my face never healed unless I took a day or two off from shaving and I used my mother's Avon Moisture Cream.

The thing with ATG passes is that you are going to have some snagging in the beginning. Alot of getting a good ATG pass is experience and technique. That said, even alot of older experienced shavers dont do ATG passes all over their faces. Another contributing factor in a good ATG pass is how sharp the blade is. Alot of guys I have noticed use an ATG pass to gauge how well the blade is sharpened. And blade sharpness is all a matter of preference. I can tell you from experience, I have to have a very sharp blade that goes beyond an 8k stone. Alot of people are good shaving off an 8k, but my face is WAY too sensitive for that. I have to have a blade off at least a 12k. I dont know what Larry uses, but I would feel safe in assuming that he sends razors out off an 8k at best.

I applaud you for diving straight in, but it sounds alot like you're getting frustrated because you're not getting perfect shaves right away. Believe me, you wont. Lynn recommends starting with just your cheeks when beginning to learn SR shaving. Then progressing to more of your face. I too took the plunge and shave my whole face. I have cleaned up with a DE before, but I am stopping that for the time being to try and learn how to properly get a good shave all the time. But while you're learning, you're going to have to be happy with either less than perfect shaves, a little stubble left behind, or incredibly raw skin. Personally I dont see how you managed to do 3 WTG passes before going XTG then ATG. 5 passes seems a bit excessive to me. I would say you really only need to be doing 2-3 passes total. You may be doing too many passes and causing your skin to become raw therefor getting some catching due to that.