I've done well over 100 straight shaves and..

[dangerousrazor]

I've shaved with safety razors for 8years and It's been 9months since I first dipped my toe into straight razors. This year, I almost exclusively shaved with straight razors and I think I've shaved with SR over 100 times. but it doesn't feel as smooth and comfortalbe as my safety razors. I'm not saying it is awful. Rather, it is qute good and shaves as close but I get more irritations from straight razor shaving.

I know it will take some time to fully master the straight shaving skill. I'm just wondering how long it took for your straight shaving to match your previous favorite shaving methods in terms of comfort and smoothness.

 

[Legion]

There is a bit more to it with straights.

For instance, my last two shaves were with the same razor, but touched up on different hones (to test them).

Todays shave was noticeably better, but it was on a much finer (and more valuable) hone. Same everything else, just a few minutes rubbing the razor on a different rock made quite a bit of difference.

If I put the same blade in the same DE I know exactly what to expect, so you quickly become practiced at the right technique for that setup.

 

[rbscebu]

It was not until I was somewhere between 50 and 100 SR shaves that I could get BBS all over without any irritation. It was then that I realised I didn't want BBS from a SR as I then had nothing to shave 24 hours later. I adjusted my technique so that my results were consistently DFS+.

By 100 or more SR shaves you should be able to get BBS almost all over without any skin irritation. Something is not right with your SR shaving. You need to seek help. We are here to guide you.

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Shaving with a straight is a bit like playing golf.

Most can hit a good shot once in a while, but there are so many variables that it is extremely difficult to get consistent excellent results.

1000+ shaves in, most shaves are consistently good, but every once in a while you have an amazing shave. That's the one you always try to replicate and strive for. Is it the razor, is it the edge, is it the lather, is it the strop, is it the technique or is it the state of mind? All of them matter. Improvement comes with learning, trial, error and practise, quick at first, then slower as you get better.

In my opinion, when you loose that drive to for constant improvement and curiosity, it becomes a chore, boring and a waste of time.

BTW my shaving is a lot more consistent than my golf. The only constant in my golf is that I am mostly rubbish, but I keep trying!

 

[Bounder]

From my humble perspective, the first 100 were more or less basic technique refinement. I had plenty of irritation, especially on my chin.

Then I started to really, really, really lighten my touch whilst playing with the angle. This changed everything and my daily shaves are mostly irritation free. So, for the next 100 shaves maybe focus on these two aspects.

 

[rbscebu]

As @Bounder said. Not knowing what @pelicanachic is doing, I would also suggest:

• Use a shave stick like Arko or Tabac and face lather.
• Try different lather hydrations.
• Refine the razor edge using diamond pasted balsa strops and maintain that edge on a 0.1μm diamond pasted hanging balsa strop.
• Keep the blade angle at about ½ to 1 spine thickness from the skin.
• Use just enough pressure to shave the lather off - forget the whiskers, they will come off with the lather.
• SR shave daily!
• More attention required in stretching the skin.

That's my 2 peso worth.

 

[RayClem]

When you shave with a straight razor, it is different than shaving with a DE razor. Not only is the way you hold the razor different and the way you adjust the shave angle different, but you may find that you need a somewhat different lather. With a DE razor, the blades are normally coated. When the blade becomes dull or rough, you just put in a new blade. There are dozens of blade brands from which you can choose to get your desired balance of sharp and smooth.

With a straight razor, the edge is not coated. You control the sharpness and smoothness of the edge by the way it is honed and stropped. Honing and stropping are skills that must be developed, just as you developed your skill of shaving with a straight razor. I have a coarse beard that needs a super sharp blade. However, I also have sensitive skin that cannot tolerate a rough edge. I spent a lot of time and money finding the right types of hones and techniques to produce a suitable edge. I also found that using pasted strops with ultra fine abrasives (0.1 micron) allowed me to get an edge that worked well with my beard and face.

@Slash McCoy has a detailed thread on The Method he developed to maintain straight razors using balsa strops coated with ultra fine diamond pastes/sprays. Many people use that process to maintain their straight razors. I use Cubic Boron Nitrite (CBN) on nanocloth bench strops, but the concept is similar. Check out the threads.

 

[Bounder]

@rbscebu has mentioned there are a plethora of variables that effect your shave. Keep experimenting as often as you can, there are so many little moments of eureka, consistency will reveal them.

 

[Green manalishi]

I am about 6 months or so in.I am getting the best shaves I have ever had.I started wetshaving with DE razors.I really enjoyed it.
when I moved to straight razors after my shave ready razor went dull.I started honing my own.Having experience sharpening my whole adult life,It was an easier transition than many.I used “The Method”.I think that is why I have had an easy time..I’ve had SHARP edges from nearly the start.I shave daily and Do three passes WTG,XTG,ATG.
I now see why so many are so passionate about Straight razors.BBS with no irritation.
Skin stretching/Angle/Sharp edge.Is very important..From what I have experienced,Skin stretching has made the difference between a good shave and a bbs shave.It has taken time but I now have finally beat my DE razors shave,but skin stretching is even more important(IMO)than with DE shaving.If the shave is not close and you’re angle is good,The edge is sharp,Then I would practice the skin stretching.It has made the difference for me.
Also worth noting is a dull edge will pull with will cause more irritation…If you are getting more irritation than with a DE it may be the edge..YMMV Just my experiences

 

[DrStrange]

I shave two or three times a week,
and I am at the age where I can't remember what I did two or three days ago,
so, I'm always learning

 

[Jakebullet]

I suppose it’s different for everyone, but my advice is to stick with it because it’s worth it.
Eventually your straight shave will leave your DE shaves standing.

 

[Frank Shaves]

I have been shaving with a straight every two days since September 19, 2020. Took about four months for things to fall into place. Over the last few weeks I am experiencing another increase in the quality of my shaves. I am hesitant to compare, but the shaves have a closeness that may surpass those from a DE.

My recommendation is you stick with the straight, and you will be rewarded.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gamma]

Irritation but the shave is still close.

Edge quality matters. Having a razor honed is one thing, having it honed well is something else.
Stropping matters, a lot. Like edges, there is stropping, and then there is good stropping.
Lather matters. A lot. Too dense and/or not wet enough/pasty will create irritation. lather porn photos show pasty sudz often.
Pressure matters, you guessed it - a lot.
Angles matter - yep - a lot.
Bad pressure and angles wreck shaves and leave you with skin suffering from what feels like a burning or scraped sensation.

100 shaves is sort of a benchmark but it's an inconsequential event really. Some guys say they 'get it' faster, others slower. Doesn't matter how long it takes IMO, the process is about focusing on solutions, not time-frames. I think it took me 3 months just to get to where I wasn't bleeding somewhere after every shave.
It'll get better via making changes and adjustments, not just time on it's own.

 

[Keystone]

A quality edge plays a bigger role than most want to admit.

I sort of learned honing concurrently with shaving. I’m still learning both and will continue to do so until the day I croak, but I wouldn’t recommend others to do so. It made both processes slower than I think they would be had I focused on one or the other. That said - I’m in an excellent place now with both skills.

 

[Tanuki]

When you shave with a straight razor, it is different than shaving with a DE razor. Not only is the way you hold the razor different and the way you adjust the shave angle different, but you may find that you need a somewhat different lather. With a DE razor, the blades are normally coated. When the blade becomes dull or rough, you just put in a new blade. There are dozens of blade brands from which you can choose to get your desired balance of sharp and smooth.

With a straight razor, the edge is not coated. You control the sharpness and smoothness of the edge by the way it is honed and stropped. Honing and stropping are skills that must be developed, just as you developed your skill of shaving with a straight razor. I have a coarse beard that needs a super sharp blade. However, I also have sensitive skin that cannot tolerate a rough edge. I spent a lot of time and money finding the right types of hones and techniques to produce a suitable edge. I also found that using pasted strops with ultra fine abrasives (0.1 micron) allowed me to get an edge that worked well with my beard and face.

@Slash McCoy has a detailed thread on The Method he developed to maintain straight razors using balsa strops coated with ultra fine diamond pastes/sprays. Many people use that process to maintain their straight razors. I use Cubic Boron Nitrite (CBN) on nanocloth bench strops, but the concept is similar. Check out the threads.

+1 on pasted balsa stropping. I use Tech Diamond Tools 50% pastes, diluted with acetone to make getting even coverage easy. I think CBN or other types of paste would be fine, your call. I have a 50/100/200k progression, but (as @rbscebu points out) regular use of the 200k/0.1u is the key. 60 very light laps for me.

 

[dangerousrazor]

Thanks for all recommendations. I already use balsa wood pasted with CBN. I sucessfully had 3 consecutive shave without irritation recently. It seems to get better all of a sudden.

 

[PintoPlain]

Thanks for all recommendations. I already use balsa wood pasted with CBN. I sucessfully had 3 consecutive shave without irritation recently. It seems to get better all of a sudden.

I have found that noticeable improvement comes in fits and starts. When starting every shave was an improvement on the previous one. Then the shaves plateaued and I couldn't see or feel any improvement at all.

Then for a number of shaves there was more improvement in closeness, which soon became consistently close. I didn't notice any further improvement, but noticed I was getting quicker with no irritation and still close shaves.

Although you will read that it takes x number of shaves to be proficient or to get consistent shaves, take the numbers with a pinch of salt. Some people get it sooner, others give up before they get it, still others are searching after thousands of shaves. I personally think it comes down to each individual and what they want from straight shaving.

Most importantly, enjoy the journey.

 

[Mitzie]

As has already been mentioned straight razor shaving .demands a good creamy slick soap like ARKO, MWF....etc for optimum comfort

 

[djm]

Maybe I'm the odd one out. I prefer my straights to other shaving methods. But the fact is that iI can get a BBS with one of my old Gem SE razors with no irritation. There is nowhere to go from there- no real possible improvement using a straight, a DE, a handcrafted $10,000 razor made of solid platinum...

For me, the hair seems to stay "gone" for longer with a straight and I enjoy the experience more. I absolutely recommend sticking with it and you will eventually get a great shave. But to say that it will improve on whatever shave you otherwise get seems like a strange promise.

 

[Ravenonrock]

I get guaranteed irritation free SR shaves daily now, close and comfortable. BBS it is not. With two passes I get an excellent result consistently. I also limit my products to basically soap and water. I know how to shave below my jawline now and its no longer a problem. Still green with honing, but I work at it regularly and am satisfied with the results I produce with the tools at hand. As others have said, there are lots of variables, including time. Enjoy the ride.