Thread: Sharp enough?

I have a new DOVO and it will cut a "hanging hair" pretty much each time with the little "ping" to let me know it's sharp. However, I'm not getting all of the whiskers shaved. I don't want to make to many WTG passes, for fear of razor burn. I'm guessing my angle is off, or perhaps my pressure is to light? I don't want to press too hard. I'm really just gliding lightly now. Is there a likelyhood that my angle is off, so i'm just 'running over' the hairs? I should have enough whiskers again tonight to experiment.

SIDENOTE: I have discovered (for me) after my shave, I will rinse with cold water, then I will put on an aftershave balm (Nivea), then put aloe/skin moisturizer also - and any little bit of razor burn I have, is gone pretty quickly. Also, it's important to keep lathering up with the brush / shaving soap during the shave. DON'T shave even a small little section with just water or dry shaving soap - just re-apply real quick. It makes a difference for me!

How long have you been using a straight? It sounds like your razor is sharper than most of mine, but I get smooth comfortable shaves every time. I think technique may be the issue. I have vague memories of shaving and not getting all of the stubble, but that was a long time ago.

I can think of a couple of suggestions off hand. First, are you stretching your skin? Second, I would make sure that your angle is about 30 degrees, and that may fix the problem. Also, I noticed that I lead with the point on my razor for most passes. I think this approach helps to slice the hairs rather than chop them.

I am by no means an expert with this stuff, and before long I'm sure that you will have many good (maybe better) ideas.

Definitely angle and pressure are two variables to control. However, it must be pointed out that shaving with a straight razor requires mastering several skills, stropping, lathering and shaving technique to name a few. Reviewing the pertinent wiki sections may be of help. I would just try to aim for comfort and not closeness in your first shaves. Also follow the steps that Lynn describes in his "anticipation" thread is key. Letting the razor do the job is extremely important. And most important of all, patience is required to bring this process to a happy conclusion.

Al raz.

Oh - I'm not even a week into this. I have read a lot of the info on here, I have plenty more to review. I am super glad there is a site out there like this one. I may have purchased a junky razor, and used it right out of the box with some canned shaving cream, then been back to cartridges by now.. lol. I am going to concentrate on my angle more, then try some across the grain. Thanks a LOT for all of the input!

Stropping... Well, I'm just going slow, not applying hardly any pressure, and "rolling on the spine". My brain hasn't been wanting to allow that naturally yet. heheheh.

My vote is for stropping and angle. I am just starting myself but have never found that more pressure was the answer, in fact the best shave I have had yet included a couple strokes where I didnt even feel the razor on my skin and had to double take to see if the lather was even gone, it was, as well as all the whiskers. It was also the first day that my stropping went wonderfully well, everything clicked. It took me a couple months to get to that point though.

I had quite a bit of discomfortable and poor shaving results in my first few shaves as well. More pressure did nothing but nick my skin and give me wicked razor burn. As I started to use less and less pressure, the shave got better and better.

the way I learned to control my angle was to lay the razor flat on my face, and then slowly angle it out to about 30 degrees or less.

Just a general rule of thumb, and this can be found in Lynn's beginner wiki, if it doesn't feel right, stop. It is easier and less painful to go back a step than to push foward and nurse nicks and razor burn. I learned that the hard way.

Go slow, be patient, and have fun. Welcome aboard.

Originally Posted by alex357

I have a new DOVO and it will cut a "hanging hair" pretty much each time with the little "ping" to let me know it's sharp. However, I'm not getting all of the whiskers shaved.

If you are getting a "ping" when you do the HHT your blade may need more stropping. While a blade that cuts a hanging hair and pings is certainly very sharp, a blade that cuts the hair silently is much keener and will give a closer and more comfortable shave.

Originally Posted by alex357

I may have purchased a junky razor, and used it right out of the box with some canned shaving cream...

I'm sure canned shaving cream isn't helping the situation any, either...
Learning how to build lather with a brush and a puck of shave soap is another skill to work on.

-Chief