Thread: Guidance please

Well I have had my Striaght for a few months and tonight finally tried it out. I am using mama bears ye old barbershop soap with some glycerin. Hot shower first the on to the fun. Well I noticed while shaving I am not getting a smooth glide like there is no cushion. We have really hard water out here in Vegas. The razor was shave ready (Thanks Max), but nothing seemed smooth I tried to add more lather and still nothing. I do not have heavy wiskers, it just seemed as if my face was creating a lot of friction. Got through the shave WTG and needed more so I tried XTG and it did not seem to do much. So I went for ATG a little smoother but still the same problem. Alright lets hear what might be happening. I tried to maintain the proper angles also.
Thanks
Coy

If Max honed your razor, that takes care of that...except for one thing. Did you strop it? Most of us who hone a razor don't want a person to do anything to the razor but wipe the oil from it and shave. Stropping has rolled a many of edges and most of us has done it, especially when in the learning curve and developing muscle memory.

Second, try my old faithful "go to" soap. Proraso. You can find Bigelow's at Bath & Body works. Many say it's made by Proraso. I have harder water as well and MB's soap doesn't work quite as well as Proraso here either...neither does MWF. I still use them, just not as often.

One last thing, don't give up. It's part of that learning curve that goes on for a month or so. Sounds like you are on the right track...

Best of luck and God Bless,
Scott

Nope has not seen a strop from me yet, Well now It will. I wasnt going to dare mess up the fine job Max did for me. I am thinking its the soap. I have some sample soaps and some more coming from trufitt & hill so I will try these and see if I get better results.

Thanks
Coy

Only other bit of advice on the soap is that you ensure that you are getting enough soap loaded up. Do you build up lather in a bowl or on the face? I personally use a bowl to build up my lather & the bowl sits on a candle warmer. I probably use a bit too much soap in my lather, but i like it rich and creamy.

Last bit of advice is a light, very light touch...you'll get it I promise. Watch a few videos on the tube of straight users.

You know, most honemeister's wouldn't want you to strop up their freshly honed edge..Fearing you may mess it up...So, you were wise not to strop it...If you have an old belt, you may want to practice on that before you use your strop. Be cautious, speed will come with time, be methodical in your strokes..

Anyway, This is a common theme amongst new str8 shavers...I don't think it's your soap, or your blade...More than likely, your technique, which will get better in time. Just be patient. Mind your angle and make sure your stretching your skin while shaving...

Good prep is important too, A pre shave oil may help, if you have none, good ole Olive Oil will do in a pinch...There's probably a ton of recipes on here....

Welcome to the forum.

For some newbies, reducing the whiskers to skin level is the hardest part of shaving to learn. And, it is often the part of shaving where the worst razor burn and other problems occur.

Another approach is to shave to stubble with a safety razor for a few shaves, finishing with the straight razor. Do that several times, learning blade angle and pressure and other factors. Then, do the full shave with a straight razor.

+1 to what other posts have said , also heres a couple other things to try, hope this helps,\

1) OVER DO YOUR PREP: You said you had a tough beard, maybe you need some more prep, hot shower is a great idea, but while in the shower put some hot towels on your face and scrub some hair conditioner in your beard and let them whiskers get soft, go 5 to 10 minutes over what you were doing to ensure proper prep.

2) FACELATHER: Watch some vids of Mantic face lathering, I too have hard water and have trouble some time making a good lather just from Mama bears soap, but if you face lather u might get more glide and cushion then building it in a bowl and then taking it to your face.

3) STROP YOUR RAZOR: already been said but take the time to go slow and strop about 50-75 times , it can make a huge difference

Again hope this helps HAVE FUN !!!

Actually I said I do not have a heavy beard, I have watched the vids. and have Lynn's vid. and watched it also. I did not strop the razor, it was shave ready by Max. Now that I have shaved with it I plan on stropping.

Originally Posted by thewatermark

+1 to what other posts have said , also heres a couple other things to try, hope this helps,\

1) OVER DO YOUR PREP: You said you had a tough beard, maybe you need some more prep, hot shower is a great idea, but while in the shower put some hot towels on your face and scrub some hair conditioner in your beard and let them whiskers get soft, go 5 to 10 minutes over what you were doing to ensure proper prep.

2) FACELATHER: Watch some vids of Mantic face lathering, I too have hard water and have trouble some time making a good lather just from Mama bears soap, but if you face lather u might get more glide and cushion then building it in a bowl and then taking it to your face.

3) STROP YOUR RAZOR: already been said but take the time to go slow and strop about 50-75 times , it can make a huge difference

Again hope this helps HAVE FUN !!!

Originally Posted by livwire68

Actually I said I do not have a heavy beard, I have watched the vids. and have Lynn's vid. and watched it also. I did not strop the razor, it was shave ready by Max. Now that I have shaved with it I plan on stropping.

Ahh, Im sorry, misread that, well hope the stropping works for ya

I'm in my second month of straight shaving myself. Unlike some others however, I have much experience with sharpening and shaving (my arms) with pocket knives, as I usually won't carry a knife if it doesn't shave arm hairs.

Based on my personal experience, combined with everything I've read here, and what you wrote, I would agree with others who indicate that it's probably technique.

Learning to straight shave is done gradually.

My first straight shave was done with one of these:
:: Spyderco Product Details ::

After that, my proceeding four or five were done in a rush, and while they turned out okay (only a few nicks each time, but that's expected), I really didn't learn how my face wanted to be touched with the razor. I was in too much of a hurry to pay attention, and besides, it went okay. When I took my time to observe and note what my face, and hand were experiencing from the razor, I started to learn more, and my shaves got even better.

One way to think about beginning is this.

Light touch. Don't be afraid to use such a light touch that the only thing you accomplish is that you swipe the lather off without taking any whiskers. Stay with the angle's that are recommended, and slowly apply pressure until hairs start to cut. This will teach/train you and your muscle memory where to feel for the proper medium.

Hope that helps.