Glad I didn't give up!

[onotoman]

I have been trying to use a Straight for around a year now and up until recently I just haven't managed to get a decent and comfortable shave, then things just slowly began to change quite recently (no thunderbolt occurrence, just 'things' improving slowly). I say 'a year' but the pattern was usually - try the straight (lots of stubble left and dragging) go back to Safety Razors for a week, try straight again....

I tried new straights, vintage ones, framebacks, wedges, hollow ground, sending to Honemeisters, honing myself, Shavettes, you name it.

I could restore a straight - fit new pins or scales, restore a rusted blade and my honing seemed to provide a keen edge. I JUST COULDN'T USE ONE, Which seemed so unfair!

Then in the last few weeks, things just started to take shape.

I began to really stretch my skin as much as possible, I applied pre-shave oil, I concentrated on using one vintage wedge (which of all the razors seemed to give the best, but still previously poor shave) and kept to that razor and tried each morning - even if I had to touch up with the Safety.

about a week ago, I got a decent, comfortable shave and this continued getting better.

A couple of days ago, I switched to a Gotta Hollow Ground and again managed a great shave.

This morning I tried a Vintage Japanese Frameback that I had honed myself and also - great shave.

So, on this sunny Friday morning, at the age of 47 years, I seem to have finally mastered two lost-to-many skills - Straight Razor Shaving AND Honing

I know that from here, both will continue to improve as the basics are there.

I'm really quite chuffed

 

[nosedog]

That's awesome. I haven't tried my straight for a while, but this gives me some impetus to give it another go.

 

[Legion]

Good for you. It is a satisfying feeling.

 

[Cochese2323]

This is great encouragement. I have been struggling lately as I have only been at it a few months. Good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if it might be a long walk.

 

[JeffM]

It took be about a year to feel comfortable and still learning.

 

[SAPed]

Thanks for the post as I am 3 months into it and can do WTG (and XTG on face, not neck) but it doesn't seem to give a close shave and its not a smooth feel, rather tugging. I can't get ATG to work for me. I always finish with a final pass with SE or DE. With your post, I'll just keep a long term perspective and keep at it, not getting frustrated. Eventually I hope to have the same result as you. Except, I have one year up on you at 48.

 

[ridnovir]

Man it took you awhile, glad your perseverance paid off. I am SR shaving since 1/1/12 and I started to get good consistent shaves about a month in. I kept to one razor to get my technique down until recently (I got four razors of different widths and grinds now). I find that I can get good results no matter the width or grind type of the razor.

 

[trick420]

Nice job and congrats! I have been straight shaving since the early 90's and I'm still learning new tricks. It wasn't until last year that I could finally shave ATG with ANY razor without blood and bumps... I was just always content with a single pass as I had VERY low standards...

I still can't get a decent shave with a wedge. the blade just sticks to my skin too much.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

This is great encouragement. I have been struggling lately as I have only been at it a few months. Good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if it might be a long walk.

+1 and Amen. Some days are better than others but I keep at it. I'm still working out this zero pressure thing.

 

[Earcutter]

That's awesome! I didn't start getting good shaves until I gave up on DE's altogether and shaved with the straight 100% of the time. Once it comes - it's a rush. Then oddly it gets even better. Congrats!

 

[johnmrson]

It's a great feeling to get good shave from a razoor you've honed yourself. Well done for sticking with it.