Thread: New to Straight Razors

Hello

I got sick of buying razor blades and decided to buy a staight cut. I ended up with a Dovo all stainless steel. The razor was sold shave ready but I am having limited success with it. The razor will take the hair of my leg but will not shave my face. I shave straight out of the shower and apply the soap immediately. I have stretch my skin and tried different angles (two spline widths). I think there is something wrong with my technique. Any thoughts or ideas apprciated.

Regards
Peter

This might be a case where "shave ready" doesn't necessarily mean shave ready. Your best bet if you are having trouble with the sharpness of the razor is to send it to someone here for honing. Lynn is the agreed on supreme ruler of honing, so he might be your best bet.

Drew

Welcome to SRP! Be sure to read the Wiki for TONS of useful information and Lynn's post in the Newbies Corner "First straight shave-Read first" Learning to shave with a straight razor will take some time, so try not to rush it. By reading all the useful information contained on this forum, you will save yourself a lot of frustration and razor burn. After you have read the info and given the advice some time to sink in and try the techniques, your shaves will improve with each attempt. Keep us posted on your progress.

Don't get discouraged. There is a learning curve. If the razor is shave ready, check your technique, and prep.

How do I tell if it is shave ready? I am in Australia. There does not seem to be anyone here that could assess/hone my razor. I tried the hanging hair test and it did not work until about the 5th attempt. So I guess I have answered my own question.
How/what would I need to hone a razor?

Regards
Peter

I think forum member Jimbo, among others, is in Australia. If you brush the hair on your forearm without touching the skin does the razor 'pop' the hair ? That is one way that I like to check but I must stress that I know people that test won't work on with a sharp razor. It may well be that it is the razor but it could be a prep and technique issue too. There is a learning curve as the other fellows have said.

Jimbo might be able to help you out. He lives in Australia.

Edit: JimmyHad you beat me by a second.

Originally Posted by Peterk

The razor will take the hair of my leg but will not shave my face...

I would be interested in more details. You imply the blade is too dull. But, even with a sharp blade, depending on technique, sometimes it will pull, or exhibit behavior that is often described that way.

* Shave area?
* Blade angle?
* Skin stretching?
* Affects on skin?

You get the idea. I would hate for you to have a passably sharp razor, send it off to be honed, get it back after several weeks, and have the same problems! Sharpness is the probably cause. But, I think a few more details might serve to verify that conclusion.

If you experience success you must start with a very sharp straight. To make sure you have that, you need to find someone that knows what they are doing hone it for you.

My 2 cents is. Don't learn 2 new things at once. Start with shaving. After you get over that curve (about 2-3 months) then pick up a cheap razor and start learning to hone.

Don't make learning to shave harder by learning to hone and shave at the same time.

Good luck.

Anyone on here know anyone down under that hones?

It does not seem to matter which part of the face I shave. Cheek, sideburns, jaw. I have tried with the grain and against the grain. Lathered, unlatered. Sharp angle, shallow angle. Stretched skin. All I end up with is razor burn.

Peter