Thread: I can't get a straight razor to work

I hear this a lot and it is usually not the case.

With the disposable you can get away with a greater open angle than the straight razor when shaving. When using a straight razor, you really need to keep the razor almost vertical although the spine should not be touching your face. What most people do is hold the razor in an upright position and then when they start to shave, they bend their wrists back opening the angle up to as much as 90 degrees. Normally stropping is not the problem.

You should also just be shaving from one side burn to the jaw at first using light pressure and short little strokes with longer clean up strokes. Once the razor is cutting that area, you can then go to the cheeks, neck and save the chin for last. The overall learning experience is like starting all over again and you should treat it as such taking a couple weeks to get it down.

Have fun and hang in there.

Originally Posted by jameshob

I have tried all different angles and pressures. I'm not giving up on it though. I think it has to be my stropping. Can you over strop? Is there a way to test the razor as you strop to know when to quit?

Thanks Lynn....sorry I haven't replied to this post but I just went on vacation and haven't had the time to login. I only brought my de razor with me on vacation to my in laws but I shaved with it and they have much hotter water than I have at my house and the razor cut through my whiskers like butter, much smother than ever before. We have 2 1/2 year old triplets so we keep the water a little on the cooler side. It still gets hot but not near as hot as at my in laws. When I get back home I'm going to focus more on prep and keeping the blade warmer to see if that helps.