Thread: 43 shaves in

Well gents, today was my 43 shave and I'm still learning. I'm still considered a newbie which is fine with me I have no problem with that. Well my shave today was awesome with my electric 1/4 grind its the best buy I've ever had, but my preparation has gotten better I bought some facial scrub with beard lifter and t works so well softening my steel whiskers. And my razor just glides along the skin with no effort I love it. Well I hope to enjoy a life time of great shaving with my straight

Good to hear, Tyler. It truly is worth the effort and it's fun to see one's own technique improve with time.

good stuff

I'm about in the same place as you with this. About two months in and I still need to "clean up" each time with my good DE.

Great shave but I can't feel that I am a true straight razor shaver. I can't help but think that I am not getting the razor as sharp as it seems to be when I watch others in videos. Just the same I hope the journey is worth it in the end.

Ok, I see that no one has answered further.

Is it normal to have to "clean up" after the shaves? I really like the process but even as I get better I am not able to get around the chin and even go back over the rest of the face to get what I can see.

I am sure this has been answered many times since this sites beginning, I just can't find it.

Originally Posted by okiwen

About two months in and I still need to "clean up" each time with my good DE. I can't help but think that I am not getting the razor as sharp as it seems to be when I watch others in videos.

Originally Posted by okiwen

Is it normal to have to "clean up" after the shaves? I really like the process but even as I get better I am not able to get around the chin and even go back over the rest of the face to get what I can see.

Yes, it is very normal in the beginning to clean up with your previous razor, so no shame there. Now, if you come back in three years and claim the same thing that's a different story....

This is usually a technique issue, both stropping and shaving. With the information you've supplied it's hard to say if it's the razor or the user. How many shaves has the razor seen? How does the razor shave - what are the sensations ie pulling, not cutting, etc? Did you attempt to hone it yourself, and if so how? All these questions will help us determine what the problem may be.

The razor is just brand new, and then one that is quite old. I have been using both alternatively. I have been stropping very lightly about ten or so time on belt then leather. The razor was purchased from SRD mid December. The angle I have been trying for the just something less more than flat. Certainly less than 15 degrees. I seem to do alright on the cheeks and even a bit on the throat. Not so much on the chin of course but working on it. I don't have a pattern that I use each time as some days I don't "feel it" so I change direction.

Originally Posted by okiwen

The razor is just brand new, and then one that is quite old. I have been using both alternatively. I have been stropping very lightly about ten or so time on belt then leather. The razor was purchased from SRD mid December. The angle I have been trying for the just something less more than flat. Certainly less than 15 degrees. I seem to do alright on the cheeks and even a bit on the throat. Not so much on the chin of course but working on it. I don't have a pattern that I use each time as some days I don't "feel it" so I change direction.

First, were you previously getting close and comfortable shaves with these razors?

Second, try increasing your strop counts. I'm not sure what you mean by "belt" - do you mean a material strop (like linen, canvas or webbing) or an actual belt? If you answer belt, please don't strop on it if you have the real thing. Anyway, most of us do lap counts around 30 material and 50 leather. My routine is 40 linen/60 leather, just as an example.

Third, normal shaving angle can be up to 30 degrees, perhaps more. You can try opening up your angle a bit and see if that helps.

If the answer to #1 is yes, and then #'s 2 & 3 don't help at all you will likely have to have your razors rehoned.

Keep it going Tyler. You're doing great.

I used my straight and my cartridge simultaneously for about four months. As I got more comfortable with the straight I did more of my face with it and less with the cartridge. There's no shame at all in backtracking to your previous hardware as you learn the straight. Or maybe there is, and I should be deeply, deeply ashamed.

I wouldn't worry about it. It's a long learning curve, and the slope levels out as you get closer to good. Eventually you'll be one of the poor souls chasing perfection, like most of us afflicted bretheren here.

Best wishes to you!