2nd shave is always better

[kmlavoy]

New to straight shaving and honing, and I've got kind of a weird question. Every time I freshen the blade on a coticule, the 2nd shave after is much smoother than the 1st. Going straight from the coticule to a strop to a shave. On the coti, I start with my slurry (both sides 30 times), then I'll add a little dish soap to finish it, and then I go to the strop. I've been considering a balsa with a paste of some sort, or maybe just another strop and dedicate my cheaper strop to a paste

Is there something I'm missing here, or do I just need to get better at stropping?

 

[Kentos]

It depends on what you consider smoother.

If you mean less keen, then conceivably the fresh edge is too sharp for your skin, then by the second shave the edge is a bit duller and kinder to your face.

Try skipping the soap on water and try a shave to see.

Adding pastes and sprays are different for everyone, but for the most part they are use to make an edge sharper.

How long have you been straight shaving? Sometimes too much pressure with a sharp blade makes for a rough experience.

 

[kmlavoy]

I've been straight shaving for almost 8 weeks. It's hard to believe that I'd be making it too sharp, but you're probably right. I'll give it a shot next time.

 

[Kentos]

You can also try doubling the stropping to rule it out too.

 

[Gamma]

Are you stropping on linen and leather, or just leather?

 

[redhead shaver]

You can also try doubling the stropping to rule it out too.

+1 to this.
When I finish on my Trans Ark I notice a way smoother shave starting at shave 3 or so. I have never noticed this with my coti edges though. They seem to be smooth from the start.

 

[life2short1971]

Its been my experience with dish soap that it actually degrades the edge so leave out the dish soap and be sure to strop on linen before leather for the initial stropping. You can also try oil for finishing or dry honing to finish as well to see if you get an edge you prefer.

 

[Gamma]

I've had nothing but tremendous success with using diluted dish soap on a variety of stones.

 

[honed]

double the stropping is good advice

 

[O.G.]

Lather on Coti is the go between for refreshing an edge it oil and water basically mix so its makes the edge stick and slick on the Coti. Try that and see.