4th Straight Razor Shave

[CTH]

Hi all,

Just this minute done my 4th ever straight shave. Not happy.

Using this Dovo

The only plus side so far is that each one has been slightly better than the last, however: Razor burn is terrible, face is left as rough as a badger's, and of course it takes an age to do.

Still trying to remain hopeful that this will be worthwhile eventually, but am not confident so far.

Quite annoying that I could get a closer, quicker, less painfull shave with a cheapo cartridge blade.



Thinking I should have went with a DE?

 

[BladeRunner001]

Don't despair...It will click. it always does. You need to remain focused and diligent and success comes when you least expect it. Hang in there

Watch your angle and pressure. Two very important, yet interconnected concepts that will make a HUGE difference in your shaves

Prep is exceedingly important...I would say as much (if not more) than the shave itself

 

[ouch]

If you bought it brand new and you didn't specifically have it made shave ready, usually indicated by an extra charge, it's not sharp enough to shave comfortably.

 

[CTH]

If you bought it brand new and you didn't specifically have it made shave ready, usually indicated by an extra charge, it's not sharp enough to shave comfortably.

No mention of shave ready at all on the site for anything that I could see.

Did think about sending it for honing, not sure if this was just wishful thinking on my part!

Think I should?

 

[kg4ghn]

If it did not specifically say "shave ready" or "pro honed" or something similar I would absolutely have it sent out to be honed by a reputable honemeister.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

CTH,

Jumping in to str8s can be a daunting task...definitely need to look into whether or not your str8 was honed properly. Once you've found that out...

You need to expect your first few shaves will just suck and get used to that fact...but each gets a little better every time.

Best of luck!

 

[jmg]

Hang in there. Your patience will pay off .

 

[Luc]

Hang in there... If you need a honemeister, I would recommend this list: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Honemeister

 

[RF1963]

Thinking I should have went with a DE?

No; it does take time but you will get there. Remember, in 1900 the options were to master the straight or grow a beard. Our forefathers mastered the beast, you will too.

I dedicated a month to shaving only with a straight. By week 3 I was getting decent shaves.

Go slowly, the angle of blade to face should be about twice the width of the spine - it will look horribly close but it works,

Keep going, you will start to enjoy this!

 

[Wid]

No; it does take time but you will get there. Remember, in 1900 the options were to master the straight or grow a beard. Our forefathers mastered the beast, you will too.

I love the thought of using a razor that has some history, I don't own any of the new ones, only vintage.

 

[Gustav]

For the time being this forum happens to have a great many quick learners so you may find it frustrating that you do not seem to be getting anywhere. For me it was not until shave 8 that I got anything half way decent any it probably took another 10 shaves before I had consistent quality pseudo-DFS shaves. I am 53 shaves in and razor burn is still an issue. It really takes time to learn this stuff but it really is worth it because these last 53 shaves have had an element of fun and fulfillment which I have never experience with any other shaving impliment. Get your razor honed, watch angle and pressure, do not push yourself and most importantly enjoy it.

 

[MaritimeFanatic]

As a fellow newbie to straights, I was getting awful razor burn too. I watched a video on youtube by Jockeys - from SRP - where he preaches the virtues of a VERY light touch. I took a serious look at my pressure, and found that the lightest of lightest touches not only rid me of razor burn, it shaved better too!

YMMV, but I found it to be an absolute godsend..

Happy Shaving, don't give up the ship!

 

[CTH]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I think I will send my razor away to get it honed. At least then I will know it is poor technique and not the razor!

Out of interest, how often, assuming normal usage and stropping, would a razor require to be honed to keep it nice and sharp?

Craig.

 

[life2short1971]

Depends on your stropping and beard. Also if you use a board treated with paste you can go a good long time. Send your razor to Ambrose. He'll get it right for you then see how you like it. It'll be night and day.

 

[CTH]

OK, have paid to send my razor off to Razor Sharpening UK.

Slight learning curve here actually, as they sell the razor I bought for only £4 more than I paid, but it comes shave ready, which I am now paying £20 plus postage to achieve!

Live and learn I guess

 

[life2short1971]

My bad. I forgot this is a worldwide forum and your halfway across the globe. You got the idea though.When you get it back be very aware of the cutting edge.Perhaps the place you bought it from will discount the fee if you call them.

 

[Tolduonce]

Don't you dare give up. That is not an option. First off, make sure your razor is really shave ready. That may require having it professionally honed. In fact send it out. That will eliminate a MAJOR variable. Then get back on that horse. Remember the following, you learned to walk, you learned to drive, you learned your multiplication tables and how to count your change at the store. All of these things seemed impossible when you first started, right? But you mastered them and are a better person for having done so. Removing hair from your face with a sharpened piece of steel is a piece of cake and once you've mastered it, you'll feel just that much better. Remember, men have been doing this forever and none of us are any better than you. Now, get busy and revisit this link come December and tell us how you're doing. We'll be watching.

 

[gull]

I just wanted to say that don't let all the recent success threads intimidate you. Some people learn quickly, but it took me awhile before I started getting comfortable. I still use my DE for some parts and touch ups.

Let us know how things go once you get the razor back.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Shaving with any open blade razor takes some getting use to. I've been using mine for well over a year, and things are just recently getting nice. There were a few times I just wanted to give the whole thing up, but I hung in there. I get very nice shaves with my straight now, but I'll still goof up and nick myself once in a while. Nothing serious, but it does let me know not to let my focus wander. My speed of the shave has picked up also, so let me just add another hang in there for you. The end result is well worth it.

 

[Luc]

OK, have paid to send my razor off to Razor Sharpening UK.

Slight learning curve here actually, as they sell the razor I bought for only £4 more than I paid, but it comes shave ready, which I am now paying £20 plus postage to achieve!

Live and learn I guess

You could have a look to get a second razor. That way you would still have one while you wait for the other razor to be honed.