Hello fellow razor enthusiasts,
First apologies for the long post! The reason I was originally attracted to a straight razor wet shaving was the reports on the forums and the web that a straight razor will give you smooth shave with the least irritation. I am new to straight razor shaving and I am doing my best to trouble shoot my struggles. I recently purchased a 6/8 Ralf Aust and widely considered to be a great starter razor. When I received the razor, I tried a hanging hair test on the blade edge, and it failed. It seemed like the blade could have been sharper on arrival, however, I have nothing to compare it with since the Ralf Aust is my first straight razor. I decided that I would try shaving with the razor the way it came and evaluate from there. After shaving with it for about a week (20 strops on canvas/ 40 strops on English bridle leather). So far, my experience has been mixed, I can get a shave out of the razor, but I feel like the shave is anything but smooth and irritation free. I was hoping the blade would gently glide across my face effortlessly cutting my stubble much like some of my DE razors are able to do. I feel like I must apply way too much pressure on the razor to cut a day of growth. I have tried a lighter touch focusing on a few long strokes to minimize the irritation and avoid buffing an area over and over, however, the light touch feels like the razor is skipping over the stubble failing to cut and occasionally tangling or tugging. My suspicion is the added pressure is leading to extreme irritation that surpasses even some of my most aggressive DE Razors. This leads me to my next question, is the blade too light for a day’s growth of stubble? I have read some people say they prefer the extra heft of a heavier blade. Would I be smart to try a thicker grind? Am I better off with a 1/4 hollow over a full hollow? I did take a break from the straight razor and used my DE after seven straight days. Comparing the two I must admit that the DE gave me just as close of a shave with less irritation. That being said wet shaving is a hobby for and I am not ready to abandon straight razors I just want to know which point along the process am I falling short?
First apologies for the long post! The reason I was originally attracted to a straight razor wet shaving was the reports on the forums and the web that a straight razor will give you smooth shave with the least irritation. I am new to straight razor shaving and I am doing my best to trouble shoot my struggles. I recently purchased a 6/8 Ralf Aust and widely considered to be a great starter razor. When I received the razor, I tried a hanging hair test on the blade edge, and it failed. It seemed like the blade could have been sharper on arrival, however, I have nothing to compare it with since the Ralf Aust is my first straight razor. I decided that I would try shaving with the razor the way it came and evaluate from there. After shaving with it for about a week (20 strops on canvas/ 40 strops on English bridle leather). So far, my experience has been mixed, I can get a shave out of the razor, but I feel like the shave is anything but smooth and irritation free. I was hoping the blade would gently glide across my face effortlessly cutting my stubble much like some of my DE razors are able to do. I feel like I must apply way too much pressure on the razor to cut a day of growth. I have tried a lighter touch focusing on a few long strokes to minimize the irritation and avoid buffing an area over and over, however, the light touch feels like the razor is skipping over the stubble failing to cut and occasionally tangling or tugging. My suspicion is the added pressure is leading to extreme irritation that surpasses even some of my most aggressive DE Razors. This leads me to my next question, is the blade too light for a day’s growth of stubble? I have read some people say they prefer the extra heft of a heavier blade. Would I be smart to try a thicker grind? Am I better off with a 1/4 hollow over a full hollow? I did take a break from the straight razor and used my DE after seven straight days. Comparing the two I must admit that the DE gave me just as close of a shave with less irritation. That being said wet shaving is a hobby for and I am not ready to abandon straight razors I just want to know which point along the process am I falling short?