Thread: Razor wants to skip across my face leaving cuts

I'm brand new to straight razor shaving and have only been at it for a couple of months. So far my shaves have been going quite well, that is until today when my razor bit me a few times. I'm finding that my razor is skipping across certain areas of my face, particularly my chin which ends up leaving cuts. Would this be caused by the angle of the blade or is it that the blade just isn't sharp enough. For info on the razor it came straight from factory and the only thing I did to it was 50 passes on the chromium oxide, 50 on the linen and 50 on the leather. The first 5 or so shaves went fairly well but I have been refreshing the razor with every shave and this time i just did linen then leather no chromium oxide. From what I have read here you should have to hit the razor with the chromium oxide every shave. Any thought?

Thanks

My guess is your razor isn't shave ready. The chin area contains much more challenging whiskers than the face. I'm assuming of course your technique is up to snuff. Most factory edges aren't shave ready though some are close. Your razor probably needs some contact with an actual hone.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I'm assuming of course your technique is up to snuff.

...how's your lather? I find a sharp blade but dry lather to be a recipe for skipping. But as thebigspendur suggests, might be time for a touch up.

+1 to TBS's advice. Good technique established, skipping is a sign of dullness...though I wouldn't rule out dryness either...only you can say.

Peace,
Jim

I've never read anywhere that you should use Cromium Oxide after every shave. The potential reasons are too numerous to list. I say first get the razor sharpened by someone in the classifieds. If that fixes it, great. If that doesn't fix the problem, I'd revisit the threads that talk about shaving with a straight razor. Review some videos on youtube of others shaving with a SR. and go from there.

And just so I can know someone told you. DO NOT use Cro Ox after every shave. Use it once a week MAX. I personally wouldn't use it more than once every 3 weeks.

Stretch your face! Wherever it may be, stretch your face prior to sliding steel on skin. I have a fairly pronounced chin with fatty deposits under it and if i'm not diligent, even with a BEYOND shave ready edge, I can get bitten.

Use your free hand to pull that skin and let me know how that works