Thread: Struggling

I'm with Kees on this matter, me thinks that your blade is not shave ready. I would send it out for sharpening then try to learn to shave with it. I have figired that its easier to keep a blade sharp then it is to take it from dull to sharp. I managed to get my other Inox from dull to reasonably sharp, its the reamainder that caused problems.

I learned quickly that your pre-shave routine is absolutely essential to a good shave. I don't know if I am just lucky (especially since I have a coarse beard), but I quickly mastered the straight razor and have only nicked myself once or twice over the past 9 months that I have been using one. In the beginning, I always tried to be primarily aware of properly stretching my skin for each stroke, as well as the degree with which I use the blade.

If you are having trouble with both razors, I would look into your pre-shave routine for sure! It is unlikely (however not impossible) that both of your razors are not shave ready and need re-honing.

Best of Luck and stick with it! It will become second nature before you know it with patience and also with asking good questions on here like you have done already.

How's your skin stretching? When I do XTG, I grab my ear and pull it way back, and pucker my lips to the opposite side, then I stroke from my ear to my chin.

-Chief

It may just be a matter of more practice going XTG, if the razor is sharp enough to shave WTG without any pulling, tugging or use of pressure it should be able to do the other passes.

I bought both razors shave ready and only shave when I get out of the shower. I also use a hot towel on my face for a few minutes before shaving. I'm finding that it's definitely operator error. I'm now working on stretching my skin and keeping the blade at a consistent angle. I also find myself having trouble holding the razor a certain way for each type of pass. I have a Feather AC that I removed the blade from and practice with to get the angle, stretching and feel down. It seems to be working. Each attempt is a little better. I just received an awesome 3" strop from Straight Razor Designs and its made a big difference. Thanks for all the help. I'm looking forward to a future post telling everyone that I've mastered the shave...

Hey fellow MD'er. Welcome to SRP and kudos for sticking with it. Everyone here has great suggestions and you will find your shaves getting better as you gain more experience. More experience = more confidence.

Some thoughts to share;
1. in the shower, make sure that you soap your face/beard well, followed by a very thorough rinse. It is the water that softens the hair more than creams and soaps, so get the face done first so the beard absorbs as much moisture during the rest of the shower.

2. Prior to a shower I put a kettle on to almost boil. After the shower try mixing the near boiling with the hot tap so that your brush is and lather is way hot; work the lather on your face and let it stay as you strop.

3. Strop, strop, strop. That 3" is the way to go! linen side 40 - leather 60 (passes are debatable), but the point is to go slow with light pressure.

4. As for holding your razor, you will be the best at determining which method works for you; just make sure, as you have started to do, to watch your angles and stretch your skin.

Otto has a fine suggestion too.

5. "My wife thinks I'm crazy to continue since I get a great shave with my Merkur DE, but I'm a bid OCD and am determined to master the skill." Again, welcome to SRP! You can't be that crazy because I have never seem you at any of the meetings

6. Stay with it and continue to come back and post your questions, frustrations, & celebrations. You will get it.

Alpsman

Thanks,

Always good to hear from a fellow MDer. I'll take the advice and keep trying.

You are on the right track when you said you'll stick to WTG till experience grows. Just finish off the shave with the DE.

May I sugest you practice stropping with a table knife to get the motion and speed etc feeling comfortable. For your stropping pre shave I would sugest that you try to picture the spine of the razor in your mind while you strop, picture keeping it on the strop. Practice with the knife on the strop will inform you of the mechanics of the "flip" without the danger of cutting the strop. Using too light a pressure with the razor on the strop will lead to skipping that ends in nicks, so use a small amount of pressure that gives you enough feedback and control.

When you shave, try to use the lightest amount of pressure and dont force the blade through. Angles 30 degrees and lower will all work and with experience later you will change these angles on set areas as you shave to suit the beard. For now just try to keep the spine 3 to 6 mm off the face. Use the same table knife to practice shave strokes with to find how you would approach differing areas.

PuFF

Xtg is something I've just started in the easy areas. WTG and ATG does a real good job since the angle thing isn't so much a thing anymore. I've only been at this about 5 weeks now but the one truth I've learned is slow down and be patient. Get comfortable with what you are doing then venture on. We know our beard will be back so we can try again. Shaving is an art it takes time. Ladies had to learn their art (hair, nail, makeup, ect...)somethings just take time.
In the Bible Job's wife told him when his life was falling apart to curse God and die. Job's answer was Should we accept only good from God and not adversity? Sometimes we must go through difficulty to reach our goals.
Keep going, you'll get there. Good luck.

sometimes on XTG it helps to do sort of a diagonal. check out the first link in my sig for a video demonstration... xtg used to give me fits until i figured this out.