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  1. #1
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    Unhappy Just can't get the hang of it.

    Hi guys,

    I have a problem and wander if you can offer some advice (constructive

    I have a Stainless steel 5/8 Dovo Inox that was properly honed by a pro. A Tony Miller Latigo strop, pasted strops with red dovo, black dovo and CRo. I have a yellow coticle, and a blue and some diamond pastes on glass sheets and newspaper. I have some great soaps, brushes and creams etc.

    I really enjoy my shaving with the DE and get great results and have tried shaving with a straight for nearly a year. I can get my razor to cut the bristles, but its still not silky smooth and I always end up with some irritation particularly if I try to go against the grain. I cannot tell you how long I spend trying to hone the razor to a smooth finish, or how long I spend reading this and Badger Blade forums.

    Is is possible to get a BBS shave that is the same as I get from my DE with minimal irritation.

    Secondly, do you think a different razor is the answer.

    I am sure others have found themselves in the same predicament, how did you deal with it. Was there a time when you held up your hands in defeat and said "enough is enough" or how did you overcome it.

    I am nearly at the defeat stage and need some inspiration.................... this is like a driving test that I just can't pass.

    regards

  2. #2
    Senior Member jszabo's Avatar
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    sorry to hear your not having a good experience with your straight i would send the razor to lynn to have it honed just to take that out of the equation then i would consider the angle and pressure i am using i am new to this myself and have had a wonderful experience the main thing that helped me was taking my time and a lot of practice you might want to buy lynns dvd i have heard wonderful things about it at the time i did not have money for the dvd but i did watch lynn shave on a video he has on google if you want to get better dont give up im sure there will be a lot of posts on this thread to help you out

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    Dave12345 (12-10-2008)

  4. #3
    French Toast Please! sicboater's Avatar
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    Dave12345,

    I would actually suggest putting out the feelers to see if there is someone close by who can watch you shave and give you a hands on clinic. If you're in Atlanta, I will be happy to help. If not, you can use the map to find someone close by:

    http://straightrazorpalace.com/vbgooglemapme.php

    Sometimes, it just takes someone to show you what's going on. Being a DE shaver, you are likely to have plenty of experience on playing with angle and making lather etc. I am sure it is a little technique issue somewhere... Good luck!


    -Rob

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    Dave12345 (12-10-2008)

  6. #4
    Senior Member Lt.Arclight's Avatar
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    First and foremost-Don't Give Up! Honing a razor is an art-not a science. We could never be able to give a honing "recipe" that will work for all razors-plus honing takes practice-ALOT of practice.

    I would strongly suggest that you get a pre-honed razor, by a known "honemeister" that you can use as a "Standard" to compare you honing efforts to.

    Things like magnification-to observe the edge as you hone can be a great help. Every razor is different and its these very slight differences that can make or break getting a good,comfortable shave.

    Personally, I prefer a Carbon Steel razor-stainless can be problematic to hone-especially for novices. That said, your technique could still be an issue as well. I cannot go against the grain in certain areas of my face-even with a SCARY SHARP blade.

    It sounds like you have a good foundation, the Tony Miller strop is ESSENTIAL. Diamond pastes can be a wonderful tool-but can also create VERY irritating edges.

    To answer your question-YES, you can and should be able to get the best BBS shave with a Str8 that will rival your DE. Don't give up-honing isn't an easy skill- and a razor that isn't READY won't give you a good shave.

  7. #5
    Member Paddington's Avatar
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    Hey there Dave,
    I think everyone who shaves with a straight at some point in time said, “bugger this, I’m going to buy a Gillette Mach 3” – I know I have.

    A couple of years ago I went to Rome. I found this little back street barber shop and had my first ‘proper’ shave. It was great: really smooth with minimal irritation. I decided that shaving with a straight was for me and bought one on the spot. The next day in my hotel room: “Oww, holly . . . Oww”. I’m sure the majority of people walking past thought I was being tortured (or having a really good time, depending on how you interpret screaming). I tried this for a couple of days and hated every second of it, so I gave up.

    The last day of the holiday comes around, my friend decided to go and get a shave at the barbers. I went and told the barber about my experience. Nice old guy sat me down and spent a couple of hours showing me how to actually use the razor. Turned out I had been holding it like a meat cleaver, hence my face looking like a side of raw bacon.

    I agree with the previous poster. You can read all the books on shaving, etc; however, it doesn’t compare to actually being shown by someone who can use a straight well. You can’t see the faults that you are probably making; they will be a habit by now.

    Forget fancy razors, creams, balms – it’s not about what you use, it’s how you use it.

    My advice: don’t give up! I nearly gave up after a couple of days, but then I wouldn’t have found something that I love to do. Shaving takes my mind off my problems – it’s that little bit of me time in an otherwise hectic day. Find someone who can help you, don’t give up on something that you obviously want to succeed at.

    Happy Shaving,

    Paddington.

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  9. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth jnich67's Avatar
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    I agree with the advice you've gotten so far. I would add that for some of us, it simply takes a long time to get really good shaves with a straight. That can be a year or more of consistent practice. I don't mean that we can't get great shaves and enjoy the shaving, but to "master" straight shaving the way you might master a DE in a few weeks, isn't going to happen.

    I've been using straights for about 2.5 years and while I can get excellent shaves, I'm still learning. If your standard for a good shave is what you can do with a DE, you're going to get irritation from the straight. Try going for a comfy shave and let the closeness come on its own. I think of it the same as they tell boxers: work the jab, the knockout will follow....

    Jordan
    Last edited by jnich67; 12-10-2008 at 01:43 PM.

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    Dave12345 (12-10-2008)

  11. #7
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    Thanks for the good advice gents. I think I might look for a antique, carbon, shave ready razor. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy the whole straight razor experience, especially when you add the strop, brush, mirrors etc but its so damn frustrating. I have two small shaving scars on my face that have healed but have still left two dents in my face, I see them every day and am determined to reach the stage where the straight is my daily shaver, its becoming a bit of a pilgrimage

  12. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    +1 with the above advice. If you can find someone in your area that knows what they are doing who is willing to show you one on one that would make all the difference in the world. I was lucky that forum member The Topher filled that bill for me. He not only showed me honing and shaving techniques but lather as well. I had a couple of years of shaving with DEs under my belt but wasn't using the lather to the full potential.

    As Lt.Arclight said a good carbon steel razor is more easily honed as well. One of the old Solingens especially. The current TI and Dovo can be tough in my experience. Until you get a truly sharp razor it is hard to practice good technique. Blade angle and manipulating the razor smoothly and correctly takes practice. Keep on keeping on, it is worth it once you get there.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

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    Dave12345 (12-10-2008)

  14. #9
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    I know a guy who struggled for months with a Dovo Micarta SS razor. I honed it three times for him and he was never able to get a decent shave. We ended up having him try an old Genco razor with very flat scales and within a couple days, he was getting the best shaves ever. The problem was that the round handle of the Micarta was simply not comfortable for him and for some reason the flatter Genco scales were. This really made me realize what an individual sport this art is. We had another member who was ready to give up and he came to the NC get together and we were able to watch what he was doing. When he left, he was able to shave with his straight razor.

    It really would be great for you to be able to spend some time with a member close by who would be willing to help you. We really have a great support group in the members here as you have already noticed.

    Let us know how it goes and I'll be happy to re-hone your razor if needed on me.



    Lynn

  15. #10
    Thewap
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    5 years shving with straights, then happened on SRP and now still learning new things. I think you are right in trying a good carbon blade first, stainless as a starter , I believe is not a good idea, ts hard enuf for a newbie to learn honing on a carbon steel blade , if honing anything is completely new to them.

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    Dave12345 (12-10-2008)

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