Still not working properly?!

Hello,
I have been wetshaving with double edges for about a year and a half, and I recently got a Dovo Special straight.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/20...ve-d2y3e5k.jpg

I tried using it and it felt awful! I'd shaved with dull blades that performed better. I thought it might have something to do with not being shave-ready out of the box, so I went and got it honed, and brought it home. This morning I tried it, and I had the same experience.

On my first pass WTG it pulled so much I felt like I was waxing not shaving. After only half of one cheek I switched to my shavette or safety razor both with Astra SP's, there was no problem. What is going on with this straight razor? Is there some secret to straight razor shaving that makes it very different from a shavette to the extent that I would be doing something wrong and get such an awful experience with this Dovo?

I'm very frustrated. :(

Must be something in the air...................

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lynn

Must be something in the air...................

---

???????????

I didn't strop it before this first shave after I got it back because it was just honed I expected it to be good to go. I went to a fellow in town who I was reccommended to by a barber shop in town. Is the guy terrible or was I expected to strop it directly aftter it was honed? Shouldn't it be good to go at that point?

I'm assuming since you've used a shavette for awhile that it's not your prep and that you know the proper skin stretching techniques. Have you tried playing around with your blade angles to see if that is the culprit?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

I'm assuming since you've used a shavette for awhile that it's not your prep and that you know the proper skin stretching techniques. Have you tried playing around with your blade angles to see if that is the culprit?

---

Yeah, but angle doesn't make a difference. My usual angle is about 25 degrees.

Sounds like that blade is DULL. TPT or even see if the very toe of the blade will grab the top of your thumbnail. If you can shave with shavette, then you should be able to shave with a straight, stropped or not.

So you have a barber shop in town that uses straight razors to do shaves on a regular basis and he sends all his straights to this guy for honing? Is that what you are saying?

If that's not the case find another person to hone a straight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lynn

Must be something in the air...................

---

I thought I smelled something too.

Bob

Send it to a honemeister or SRP member for honing, the difference could be like night and day. If it isn't that rules out shave readiness and narrows it down to your technique.

It probably wasn't honed properly. I'd do as suggested above and send it to a honemeister who is known to do good work. Then you should be set.

Also, be sure you learn proper stropping technique.

How would I locate and contact these fellows?

A shavette is not a straight. It is a DE on a stick. The average shaver cannot get a straight as sharp as a DE so using a shavette is not really training for a straight. The above advice to get it re-honed is good, but technique is very important also. You are starting from scratch, forget what you do with a shavette. Start with a lower angle (10 deg.), take short strokes (1" or so) and try and keep only the edge of the razor on your skin. No pressing down or pulling hard. If you are having trouble cutting the beard stop, think about the condition of your lather, the blade angle, the way your beard grows (down is not always WTG), take your time.

When I started I had more blade than the cutting edge on my face and this caused skips and jumps and stops. Just like a DE you need to get the blade angle right, and when you do the blade will shave smoothly and comfortably. :gl:

You can check under member services in the Classifieds. Or, depending on your location, there may be someone more local.