Very discouraged. Any help??

So I am still what I would think most would consider a newbie to the straight razor shave. I am new to the forum also. I have read over pieces of it several times then decided to dive in and join. I like the help, but I must say, I am not getting good results. I have tried to book an appointment with the master barber here around DC, but he's always booked. I have viewed numerous YouTube videos and watched their technique. I just am not gettting a good shave. I would think that my blade would do so much better than it does, but especially on my against the grain pass, it looks like I didn't even touch it. It seems as if I am only wiping off the shaving cream with my blade. Any suggestions?? I bought my razor from The Art of Shaving, and they said it was ready to use. I do a good shave prep (I think). I shower beforehand. I apply pre-shave oil and let it set for a few minutes. I then apply a layer of lather and let that set. I then rinse it off and start with a new layer of lather. Then it begins. I suck really bad on the chin also. Again, any help is appreciated.

Hard to diagnose but I will say this.... The folks at AoS typically have no idea what they are talking about. I would bet your blade is far from shave ready.

Send it off to a true honemeister. If i am correct this could be an awesome opportunity for you. You'll be able to identify when your blade needs a touch up having used it how it is.

Yea, your razor is not truly shave ready :(
Advice, send it to one of the honemeisters here and try again.
If it were actually sharp enough to shave, it'd not miss like that or you'd be posting in "The Cut of the Day " JMHO
:)
Mike

Well, that kinda stinks. But at least it may be a step in the right direction. Since I am new to this, how exactly would one go about sending my razor off to a honemeister?

Head into our classifieds, its in the bar at the top of the page, and go to member services. You will find there a list of members who offer their honing services. The listing for your chosen honemeister should help you from there. Happy shaving, sorry to hear you had a bad run in with AOS

The Members Services is worth a look for that sort of thing

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

TJG, if your AOS razor is a Dovo, it certainly is not shave ready. Some of the Thiers-Issards offered there might be shave ready, but I would have them honed, too.

Thanks ya'll. This might be a dumb question, but do you have to worry about frauds on there? As in, do I need to worry if someone will run off with my razor blade after I send it to them?

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Originally Posted by TJG

Thanks ya'll. This might be a dumb question, but do you have to worry about frauds on there? As in, do I need to worry if someone will run off with my razor blade after I send it to them?

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I would look at the feedback posted for them. That would be a good indication for me.

BTW, with all this reading you did before you "dived in", did you happen across SRP founder Lynn Abrams suggestions for the first straight razor shaves, in the beginner's guide ? With a join date of this month, and 3 posts, I would suspect you should still be doing a down pass on the sideburn area, rather than worrying about ATG. :gl:

Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I did read that. I have been at it since December, but I just joined the site. I feel comfortable actually doing the passes (except for the across the grain on my chin). I am worried, too, that I really don't know how to strop properly. I have followed the videos I have seen and all, but I just worry that I suck. Plus, the strop I have has canvas. I have read that you use the canvas only half the number of times you do the leather (for whatever reason).

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Originally Posted by TJG

I did read that. I have been at it since December, but I just joined the site. I feel comfortable actually doing the passes (except for the across the grain on my chin). I am worried, too, that I really don't know how to strop properly. I have followed the videos I have seen and all, but I just worry that I suck. Plus, the strop I have has canvas. I have read that you use the canvas only half the number of times you do the leather (for whatever reason).

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I do equal amounts stropping linen/leather so it varies with the individual. If you are comfortable with manipulating the razor through the passes having it pro honed is the next step. You might also consider buying a second razor for a rotation, and to have something if one or the other is out being honed. Good deals in the SRP classifieds or an entry level new Dovo isn't too expensive.

I purchased my first razor, a DOVO, from AOS. They said it was set to go. Well, I should say that DOVO maintains that their razors are shave ready. Well, maybe it was. Maybe it was not. At any rate I eventually sent it out to be honed by a pro. The difference was night and day. I actually cut myself really bad because it was so sharp. Yeah, I would get it honed by a pro. You can look in the classifieds. There are plenty of honers. Anyway, good look and you can get there. It just takes some time.

Just another small suggestion, if you see an area meet up, GO
Try to find a mentor! This is an incredible asset. Even if you don't talk much, hands on is an irreplaceable experience. Again, JMHO
Mike

Yep, another case of a supposedly shave-ready razor that just needs a good honing. I recommend Lynn on here, or Larry over at WhippedDog.com. I send all of my razors over to Larry and its only $15 per razor (includes return shipping). Then I keep them maintained on my barbers hone. I started shaving using a straight razor in February and already own 6 razors. I am still learning new things, but I get great shaves. Don't get discouraged. With practice and time, you'll be shaving like a pro in no time. ;)

I like the quote....seems as if I may need another razor before I am able to hunt.

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Originally Posted by TJG

Well, that kinda stinks....

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Actually, it really doesn't stink.. As I said, now you know what your blade will be like when it goes out of 'spec'.

Very true. I just hope this time I won't be too daft to know.

Don't get to beat up about it. So many variables go into this at the beginning that its tough to account for all of them. Thats part of the reason people bring up the same few shops and the classifieds to every newbie, they take some of the variables like sharpness and your first stropping out of the equation.