Thread: Not quite shave ready but close. What's wrong?

Thank you Cosperryan. And I think I worked out the bugs in the system.

Bug #1 = I didn't know how to shave with a straight. Learning the feel for a different shave takes time and practice (and patience)!
Bug #2 = I didn't have the intermediate step in sharpening (Canvas and Chromium Oxide).
Bug #3 = I didn't use a hot soapy lather (used Shave Gel)


So... the good news, the last two shaves are getting much closer, almost as close as a disposable (where I shave A.T.G. ONLY). I've been shaving WTG with the straight, so it hasn't been a fair comparison. With my Chromium strop (CrOx applied to a piece of salvaged Blue Jean material), I'm getting sharp enough to comfortably shave ATG. I haven't done my entire face this way yet but I did the side burn areas and all went well. I can honestly say the ATG shave is as close as a disposable now. And... I'm getting the feel for it.

I just about quit, figuring that a shave as good as a new disposable wasn't possible with my course beard and why waste time with this if disposables are working. I'm glad I didn't quit. I've had enough success now that I know it's possible and that like most things it's the operator and not the tool.

Thanks for the tips and thank you Cosperryan for sending me a sharp razor! That showed me that my shaving technique was the number one problem.

side note: I found a good way to get a nice hot lather. We have a wood stove and I just set a coffee mug 1/3 full of water on top until it almost boils then take that with me when I shave. I dip the brush in here then build lather on the bar of soap (Williams) in a second mug. When I'm done, I just rinse the second mug and my brush and it's ready for the next day. Nice hot thick lather!

Originally Posted by cosperryan

Make sure your also taping the spine while you are learning how to hone. That way you don't unnessecarily waste metal. Also if when your stropping it starts to go backward that means you need to work on the technique. If your doing it right there is no over stropping.

A sharp razor should have no trouble taking out thick hair or thin hair. Now if you have thick hair it might be harder to get a comfortable shave than if you had thinner hair but you would still get a clean shaven face if it were honed well. I am betting that you are not focusing on setting the bevel as much as you should. You should be able to clean shave your arm hair after the 1k stone. Every grit after that is just refinement and smoothing out the edge to make it more comfortable on your face.

I honestly think that you are moving to fast not knowing how it is to get a proper shave first before honing but that being said you are on the right track. It just takes time and patience and practice. Just make sure you keeping even pressure on the whole stroke and keeping the spine on the stone. You'll get there eventually.

Ill pm you about your other razor though.

Kudos to you for your good deed Sir. Helping others with a sharp straight is a noble and generous thing. Well done