First Couple of Shaves

[MaxRazor]

So I took the straight razor plunge. I got one through my barber who recommended I start with a cheaper razor and strop because of the following:

1. Likely to ding the blade because you're new to it.
2. Likely to cut the strop because you're new to stropping.

I found that both of the above were true. I have cut into my strop a couple of times and have hit the brass on the strop with my razor. Regardless, my first two shaves with a straight have been painful. Lots of nicks and a half *** shave. So my question is, what's likely the cause? Is it a dull blade; a bad technique; or a was I wrong in getting cheap items. The razor is a Fromm and the strop is a Illinois Razor Strop.

Oh, and how does one tell if the razor is sharp enough? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Chief Bleeding Face

 

[johnmrson]

It's probably a combination of a blade that isn't sharp enough and poor technique. Unfortunatly most barbers don't really know much about straight razors these days. Who honed the razor?

 

[Defend Tacoma]

Did you have someone who knows what they are doing hone the razor? Even brand new razors need a good honing generally before you start shaving with it. That said, you have described my first few shaves with a perfectly honed razor exactly!

 

[grump]

If you hit the brass on the strop, you may have a small nick in the blade that will have to be honed out.

Are there any marks on your strop?

Also incorrect stropping can dull an edge. I would suggest sending your razor out to be checked and honed. Doing so will assure you have a good edge to begin with and reference what a properly honed razor should feel like.

Also if you have sliced your strop and not repaired it you could be damaging you blade further.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

When starting out new with a str8, technique is almost (key word here) always to blame for at least a part of your initial experiences. If you've been shaving with some other tool up til now, you're used to the blades picking their cutting angles for you and doing all the work. With a str8, you have to pick the angle...and constantly monitor it for the most efficient shave.

None of us start out with that innate ability (except certain shave Olympians gifted with the technique from birth ).

But it only takes a few shaves for you to start getting the hang of it and then a few more...and a few more...

best of luck!

 

[michiganlover]

So I took the straight razor plunge. I got one through my barber who recommended I start with a cheaper razor and strop because of the following:

What brand is your razor? In addition to the possibility of it not being properly honed, there is also the possibility of it being one of the many razors made overseas that are such total garbage they are incapable of taking a shave ready edge.

 

[Woodash]

So I took the straight razor plunge. I got one through my barber who recommended I start with a cheaper razor and strop because of the following:

1. Likely to ding the blade because you're new to it.
2. Likely to cut the strop because you're new to stropping.

I tell you what: you may well cut the strop (almost guaranteed...), but perhaps Rule #1 of str8 shaving is: Thou shall not ding the blade. Seriously, you will soon become extremely cognizant of razor care and feeding. Maybe read some of the interactive guides and Wikis around here (and elsewhere) for info on technique, sharpness, etc.

Good luck.

 

[MaxRazor]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely take it into a shop to see if there's any dings in it. I do have to fix up my strop too because I have a few nicks in it and I'll keep practicing.

Oh, and the razor is a Fromm.

 

[Gustav]

I agree with the above but if you are giving it another shot before you send it to be honed again, try paying attention to really stretch your skin when you shave, trust me it does wonders. In his video, Chimensch provides a very good tip to make this easier: briefly grab an Alum block with moist fingers and it will apply a little alum on your fingers and allow them to stick to the skin even if slippery from lather residue.

 

[ShavedZombie]

I'd say that it's a combination of bad angle, bad stropping and, after dinging it on the brass, a bad razor.

It takes a lot of time to learn proper stropping, and proper angles to get a proper shave. I'd recommend sending that razor out for honing...

 

[NBT]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely take it into a shop to see if there's any dings in it. I do have to fix up my strop too because I have a few nicks in it and I'll keep practicing.

Oh, and the razor is a Fromm.

Here is a decent video on what to look for on your blade...blunting...wire edge...ect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=XZYFsOP7rBc&feature=related

 

[Luc]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely take it into a shop to see if there's any dings in it. I do have to fix up my strop too because I have a few nicks in it and I'll keep practicing.

Oh, and the razor is a Fromm.

I take it that you had a honemeister honing the razor...

Having someone looking at it would be the best thing. I can't wait for the follow up when you get the razor back.

 

[MaxRazor]

Did shave #3 today and things were much better. Just two nicks this time and a closer shave. Not at DFS yet, but it's getting better.

Found my problem was not blade sharpness as much as pulling the skin tight enough and blade angle. Thanks for the feedback guys

 

[Luc]

Did shave #3 today and things were much better. Just two nicks this time and a closer shave. Not at DFS yet, but it's getting better.

Found my problem was not blade sharpness as much as pulling the skin tight enough and blade angle. Thanks for the feedback guys

That's very good!