Thread: Starting to get better shaves

Hi I'm new to the forum and to straight razor shaving. I bought a Dovo Silver Steel 5/8 razor, unfortunately not from Straight Razor Designs, a Fromm strop, a 12k chinese stone, and a norton 4k/8k. After about 5 days of practice I'm getting shaves similar to a disposable but not as close as my Merkur Vision DE. I'm sure my technique sucks and I will get better with time. I've honed the razor with my current set up although I don't think its sharp enough as I can seem to get a HHT pass. I'll keep trying to get it sharp enough and determine if indeed that is the case as I improve with the razor shaving.

I'm using Proraso Ultra Sensitive Cream and an eShave Silvetip Brush. I did just order the Dirtybird Brush Scuttle and Soap Bowl. I may however change my order to the 1.5 Scuttle as I like to lather in the bowl. Any thoughts, comments appreciated.

Originally Posted by carazor

Any thoughts, comments appreciated.

Well since you asked:
1. Seems a good choice in gear - all sound products that work well if used correctly.
2. If you're getting results equivalent to a cart within 5 days you're doing well and definitely better than me when I first started.
3. Don't worry about passing the HHT, the only true test of a razor is the shave.

+1

Your gear is fine. A really nice set up actually.

Here's a couple of thoughts....

1. Shaving is more than just the blade. Your lather is extremely important. Practice, practice, practice.
2. I'm not sure what your honing experience is, but if it were me, I'd make sure that blade is completely shave ready. Send it out if you need to....it will be worth it.
3. Your technique will continue to develop, and really only improve.

and 4. The HHT is a test used by honers to determine sharpness directly before testing with a shave. While it is a useful test, it only really counts when there is a baseline or benchmark from which to work. I mean no offence, rather I'm trying to explain that your hair, my hair and SWMBO's hair all will perform differently, and that there needs to be some calibration. For example, SWMBO's hair will not pop unless that blade is perfect....so what does that mean to me?....If I try her hair coming off the hones and it doesn't split....I don't even try the shave test, I go back to the stones.

For you....try the shave test first. If it's smooth and comfy, keep shaving. If not, go back to the 8K and try ten strokes. Repeat. Different results, or the same? Repeat again if needed.

Hope this helps a bit. Oh...and it sounds like you're off to a rockin' start. Keep it up.

Man, your braver than I. No matter how much I want to, there is no way I'm trying to hone my own razor, then put it to my face. I want my razor to be as sharp as possible, by a known commodity, such as Lynn, Larry, Glen, Kelly etc.. who KNOW a sharp blade from experience.

That way, when my face is raw and burning, I know it's not the razor, but ME that's mucking things up.

my 2 cents for ya!!

M

Update: Last night I honed my razor about 50 laps on the 12k Chinese Stop, then stroped with canvas and leather about 40 laps. Now passing the HHT and shaving much better. I got nearly as good a shave today (on the flat parts of my face!) as my DE Razor. I'm still getting the hang of the curves and turns, but can get a really close shave elsewhere. ATG is tough on the neck still!

Hooray! I love to see newcomers who can realize success in honing their own. Any thoughts on getting a strop pasted with chromium oxide as a finisher beyond the hones? If not, don't worry. I like the shaves off my own (estimated 12k grit) finisher. Rock on, dude!

After my 12K, I lap with the 1.0 diamond, then finish with a chrom ox .50 before going to the leather. Yes, it helps give an excellent finish and does great with touching up edges.

Pabster