Did i buy the right straight razor?

Hi everyone I am very very new to the straight razor world. I wanted a good razor so I got a Dovo Astrale (its black and has an ebony handle or something) I believe its called. The only reason im contemplating on if its a good razor is because when I shaved none of my facial hair came off (when i say non came off i mean actually nothing the blade went with the hair at every angle). I am also well aware that I could suck at this and that its just me. The only reason I am confused is because i have literally tried every angle because the whole 20 degree wasn't working. I don't have a leather strap yet because the store didn't have anymore but the guy said for the first time you should have to. Apparently because the blade is pre sharpened. I have also been using shaving gel which after reading some things on here is possibly a bad thing or is it? I don't know lol. I appreciate any help because my face and I are frustrated

Thanks everyone!

wellcome to SRP,where did you buy the blade?

Well, there is several factors at play here. Could be the angle, could be the soap, could be the edge Ect. Ect.

What I would recommend is that you strop your razor, and try again but this time try pulling/stretching the skin towards the razor.

Since you don't have a strop you could use newspaper ... Maybe ... :p look into it.

As for the blade, dovo's are pretty reliable. Depends on who honed it, but if it was professionally honed it should be fine. Keep in mind machines edges aren't going to shave well.

Just keep at it, you will get the hang of it.

JackofDiamonds

Thank you and some place called personal edge. I believe that was there name

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Originally Posted by JackofDiamonds

Well, there is several factors at play here. Could be the angle, could be the soap, could be the edge Ect. Ect.

What I would recommend is that you strop your razor, and try again but this time try pulling/stretching the skin towards the razor.

Since you don't have a strop you could use newspaper ... Maybe ... :p look into it.

As for the blade, dovo's are pretty reliable. Depends on who honed it, but if it was professionally honed it should be fine. Keep in mind machines edges aren't going to shave well.

Just keep at it, you will get the hang of it.

JackofDiamonds

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Sorry but,keeping at it with a blade that is not shave ready,will NEVER work.JMO

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Sorry but,keeping at it with a blade that is not shave ready,will NEVER work.JMO

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Agreed, I meant that as more of a "don't give up just because the first shave didn't go well". Never would recommend shaving with a machined edge.

Well the guy said it was shave ready. Now granted he probably just said that so I guess my second question is how do I check if its shave ready. And if it's not is there a way I can do it without sending it away.I just got it it would kinda suck to send it away now lol

Well, the best ( and only way IMO) is to shave with it. There are "tests" to determine how the edge is but shaving is the final say. If you don't want to send it out then you will have to hone it. Personally I would send it out. But give it another go, I wouldn't want to call the seller a liar just yet.

I watched videos of people straight shaving for two months before I made my first shave. See how your methods compare to others.

If you find the edge unable to shave, that is when I would send it out. And while it is out I would invest in a strop.

I just got out of the same boat lol.

Before deciding it is not shave ready I would do a couple tests.

Gel shaving cream for one is way too dry to make a straight work properly, but you should still be getting something even with a machined edge and bad lubrication. Is there ANY stubble coming off or is it just plain old not removing anything. Also is there razor burn.

I would also VERY carefully try shaving some arm hair in a small patch to see if it will lay that down. If it does it won't mean that it's shave ready but it will at least mean the razor isn't dull

The Shave Test:

Lather as perfectly as possible after prepping with either hot towels or a hot shower,,,

Now using a 2 spine width angle from the face, start at the Sideburn line and do a confident smooth stroke to the Jawline,,

The ease at which the razor shaves should surprise you, that area should feel smooth to the touch..

If that simple perfect stroke doesn't work there, is NO sense in torturing yourself, or your face, either you have zero clue how to use the razor, or the razor isn't shave ready, either way try the other side of the face, and make up your mind where the fault is..



BTW this is what we mean when we say "The Shave Test" we don't mean a full shave, this one simple stroke tells you if the razor is shave ready....

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Originally Posted by alanm92

Well the guy said it was shave ready. Now granted he probably just said that so I guess my second question is how do I check if its shave ready. And if it's not is there a way I can do it without sending it away.I just got it it would kinda suck to send it away now lol

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You need to shave with the edge leading into the hairs at an acute angle to your face. If you are doing that, and not cutting ANY hair then your razor has failed the shave test and is not shave ready. It's a little hard to believe that even a factory edge is that dull, but if that's the case then your razor needs to be honed.

You have two options. Either send the blade to be honed, or do it yourself.

DIY will require buying hones and learning to use them. This is something you will need to do eventually. In the short term it will be easier and more rewarding to send the razor out.

My suggestion is that you send the razor for honing. While the razor is out you can address your other needs ie a strop and brush. Buy a strop from an online vendor. Make sure you get a high quality model from a good vendor You can also order a brush at the same time. Canned gel will work, but lather made with a brush is the best.

I'll happily hone the razor for you at no cost. Just pm me if you want. Otherwise look under member services in the classifieds for a pro who can do it.

Michael

To answer your title question. You bought a good razor. The other posts will tell you everything else you need :)

I would like to thank everyone who replied I am going to try it again when my face isn't so sore. Thanks guys hopefully it is just my technique. because then ill eventually get it. I just wish i knew before that I HAD to get a leather strap because after i got the razor moths are coming out of my pockets.

Tell us where you live and maybe we can help you meet up with an experienced SRP member in your area.

I disagree with mjsorkin," you will have to learn to hone sooner or later". You can send out your razors over and over. I don't think you are ever obligated to learn to hone. Many of us come to a point where we want to learn, so concentrate on learning to shave with a straight and leave the rest until you choose to learn more. While you are watching shave videos, you may want to watch a couple of stropping videos too. It is fairly easy to kill a well honed edge with bad stropping techniques, and stropping is really something you need to learn alone with shaving technique.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I disagree with mjsorkin," you will have to learn to hone sooner or later". You can send out your razors over and over. I don't think you are ever obligated to learn to hone. Many of us come to a point where we want to learn, so concentrate on learning to shave with a straight and leave the rest until you choose to learn more. While you are watching shave videos, you may want to watch a couple of stropping videos too. It is fairly easy to kill a well honed edge with bad stropping techniques, and stropping is really something you need to learn alone with shaving technique.

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Rez,

When you put something in quotes, please make sure it's something that I wrote and not your own words.

What I did write is my opinion and I stand by it.

Michael

I stand corrected, and I apologize.

Alanm92 if you have a Sally's beauty products store near you they also offer the Fromm Hair Trimmer which uses disposable blades. It costs about 10 bucks if I remember correctly and though it is not a "pure" straight it still requires very similar technique. This is what I used to learn with over 3 years ago while I was waiting to select my first pure straight razor. I found the transition from the Fromm to my regular straight razors to be very quick as the angle was just slightly different, but that is true for normal straights as well, and the weight/feel was different as the Fromm is much lighter but because the blades are like a single edge I still had to let the razor do the work and not try to force the blade otherwise I would cut myself.