A week with a straight

[hotreds]

A few observations after a solid week with a straight. Probably shaved a total of 15 times now. After a few bloody starts, last five days were basically blood free.

1. I still find I don't get as close a shave as I have gotten with my DEs. Especially so with my left hand on my right cheeck/neck area. Also find it difficult above the lip; on the chin. And doing anything other than WTG has been a no-go, even tho I attempted it on that right side that still showed stubble on several occasions.

2. Seems that stropping is easier on a hanging strop than a paddle strop. I finally got down to business and put up a hook to hang my hanging strop. Stropping is much more enjoyable this way. Dunno if I'm any better at it, but hopefully the fact that it is more enjoyable with help in that area as well.

3. Tomorrow will switch to another straight I purchased- this one is a very narrow French made one. We'll see how it goes with this one. The Crowing Rooster(or whatever it's called) that I picked up on Ebay that I was told is worthless as a shaver has the best heft and feel of any of my straights. I'll try to hone it and strop it and see if I have any success. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

ONWARDS!

 

[Kentos]

Great start!

The common wisdom is it takes a 100 shaves to get decent results.

Some take more, some less, but is an incremental improvement each time. Before you know it DFS all day with a few BBS here an there.

I am in for about 18 months, and the shaves are still getting a tiny bit better each time.

 

[paco664]

A few observations after a solid week with a straight. Probably shaved a total of 15 times now. After a few bloody starts, last five days were basically blood free.

1. I still find I don't get as close a shave as I have gotten with my DEs. Especially so with my left hand on my right cheeck/neck area. Also find it difficult above the lip; on the chin. And doing anything other than WTG has been a no-go, even tho I attempted it on that right side that still showed stubble on several occasions.

2. Seems that stropping is easier on a hanging strop than a paddle strop. I finally got down to business and put up a hook to hang my hanging strop. Stropping is much more enjoyable this way. Dunno if I'm any better at it, but hopefully the fact that it is more enjoyable with help in that area as well.

3. Tomorrow will switch to another straight I purchased- this one is a very narrow French made one. We'll see how it goes with this one. The Crowing Rooster(or whatever it's called) that I picked up on Ebay that I was told is worthless as a shaver has the best heft and feel of any of my straights. I'll try to hone it and strop it and see if I have any success. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

ONWARDS!

with time and practice you will surpass the DE...

i find a hanging strop easier also...

make sure they are properly honed by someone who knows what they are doing...

 

[rickboone1]

I don't go for BBS shaves. I can get closer with a DE, but I also get irritation with that closeness. And, it's going to grow back later that day anyway, so just a nice, close shave suffices for me.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Before you know it DFS all day with a few BBS here an there.

I see it on the horizon but it may take some time. I forget that you pro's started out as noobs at one point.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Good luck, I'm a couple of months in and during the week only do a single pass WTG and a bit of touching up. A really sharp razor is important for the top lip to be well shaved, I notice it more there than anywhere else. Keep going and keep coming here! You seem to be missing the blood part, it'll come with complacency, well it did in my case anyway.

 

[Obiwan]

The Crowing Rooster(or whatever it's called) that I picked up on Ebay that I was told is worthless as a shaver has the best heft and feel of any of my straights. I'll try to hone it and strop it and see if I have any success. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

ONWARDS!

Glad things seem to be improving. It may be good to practice on as for getting technique and stroke down, but if that ebay blade is worthless (and I don't know as I've never used that particular razor) then you'll go mad trying to put a shavable edge on it. Still good for practicing technique, but tough to judge progress if you're trying to put a shaving edge on something thats not capable of holding one.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Glad things seem to be improving. It may be good to practice on as for getting technique and stroke down, but if that ebay blade is worthless (and I don't know as I've never used that particular razor) then you'll go mad trying to put a shavable edge on it. Still good for practicing technique, but tough to judge progress if you're trying to put a shaving edge on something thats not capable of holding one.

I would suggest picking up a gold dollar if you have a dremel to adapt the heel. My GD is one of my best and favourite shavers as I "made" it myself and it takes a great edge.

 

[Slash McCoy]

A Gold Dollar is a bit much for a newbie but it would still be a better project than a Crowing Rooster I think. But the best cheap razor to learn to hone on would be a whipped dog dulled from use.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

A Gold Dollar is a bit much for a newbie but it would still be a better project than a Crowing Rooster I think. But the best cheap razor to learn to hone on would be a whipped dog dulled from use.

Slash, I understand your comments however the GD was one of, if not my first home hone. Maybe I was lucky that the spine and tang etc were straight and the blade not warped - you are the master. For less than 4 bucks it's worth a go, one in 4 must be honeable and come in at a similar price to the Whipped Dog blades. YMMV as always!

 

[Slash McCoy]

Slash, I understand your comments however the GD was one of, if not my first home hone. Maybe I was lucky that the spine and tang etc were straight and the blade not warped - you are the master. For less than 4 bucks it's worth a go, one in 4 must be honeable and come in at a similar price to the Whipped Dog blades. YMMV as always!

Not saying it can't be done. Obviously it can. But too many failures can discourage a newbie. For someone generally talented at handling tools and materials, or who relishes a challenge, might well enjoy the GD and be better off with it. Certainly a nicely modded GD is more razor than a newbie honed WD. But there is greater overall chance of success with a WD. OMWV. (Our Mileage Will Vary)

 

[Gissy]

You can also order a unhoned whippeddog razor for as little as 9$. I have bought two to practice honing on.

 

[hotreds]

Enjoying shaving with my straight. But, can only do WTG. So, I do an ATG pass to finish with my DE/SE. Am I cheating?

 

[Slash McCoy]

Enjoying shaving with my straight. But, can only do WTG. So, I do an ATG pass to finish with my DE/SE. Am I cheating?

Yes, you are cheating. But if you hadn't ratted yourself out, nobody would know but you. So if you prever to finish with something else besides a straight, then just do it like you feel it. It's your face. However, I will say this: casting off your training wheels completely will shorten your learning curve.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Enjoying shaving with my straight. But, can only do WTG. So, I do an ATG pass to finish with my DE/SE. Am I cheating?

Yes, you are cheating. But if you hadn't ratted yourself out, nobody would know but you. So if you prever to finish with something else besides a straight, then just do it like you feel it. It's your face. However, I will say this: casting off your training wheels completely will shorten your learning curve.

 

[hotreds]

Well, I reckon I can still use my DE/SE collection this way!

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

Yes, you are cheating. But if you hadn't ratted yourself out, nobody would know but you. So if you prever to finish with something else besides a straight, then just do it like you feel it. It's your face. However, I will say this: casting off your training wheels completely will shorten your learning curve.

Training wheels - that's exactly what I was thinking about my DE now that I'm trying to shave with only the straight for Movember.