New straight razor problem

[strr]

I just want to say that this is an amazing website. Ive already collected a lot of great info from it.

Ive only been shaving with a straight razor for a little less than a couple of months now and love it. I started off by using a cheap disposable blade fromm razor i got from a local store. It worked nice but after a while I wanted to get something a little more authentic to straights. I bought a theirs issard taos from AoS about 5 days ago. The first time I used it it seemed to pull the hairs rather than cut them (they are supposed to be shave ready). I shave with the grain and then against. The first shave that was with the grain failed to closely shave the hair and mostly felt like it was pulling. The second shave that was against got it a little closer but oddly enough not as close as the fromm would do. I guess my question is that do I need to get it honed? Also the fromm was a pick end and this new razor is a round end and if i try to hit those hard to get spots with the round end it doesnt cut at all. Is the end of a round razor supposed to be dull? I actually shaved against the grain this morning with my fromm to cut closer after shaving with the grain with my taos. I like the fromm but the pick always nicks me. I like the taos a lot and want to use it for the shave with and against the grain.

I always shave after after a hot shower with preshave oil and with a thick lather put on by a badger brush. Ive also stropped my blade before each shave.

Thank you.

 

[Magruder]

Strr --

Welcome to straight razor shaving, and to B&B.

To answer your question: it sounds like your razor isn't as sharp as it needs to be. Do yourself a favor and get that blade honed by someone who knows what he's doing. I think you'll be able to tell the difference.

Even an experienced shaver gets a lousy shave from a dull blade.

I haven't dealt with AoS myself, but from what I've read on the forums here, I wouldn't trust them to know if a blade is shave-ready.

 

[strr]

Thanks for the reply magruder and the warm welcome. Yea I think it needs to be sharpened. Where would I bring it? lol

Yea AoS is a nice shop. Ive been there twice and both times the store manager and associate have been very helpful. They didnt claim the razor to be shave ready and actually the associate said that when he bought his Tao he had to get it sharpened. Theirs issard claims it to be shave ready.

 

[Magruder]

I'm not sure where you are, but I would strongly recommend one of the guys on this list. If you're in Europe it'll make sense to pick someone on that side of the Atlantic.

Heavydutysg135 honed a couple of razors for me a while back, before I started doing my own honing, and he did a really good job. He's in California.

 

[strr]

Ok thank you a lot magruder. Im located in Houston so Im thinking Ken rup maybe. I could try to do this myself too. Decisions...

 

[Magruder]

I could try to do this myself too.

Sounds like you've got the straight razor bug.

I'm all for people learning to hone, but for starting out I really think it's better to have it honed by someone who's had some experience. That way you don't have to wonder how good a job of honing you did.

 

[strr]

Haha...yea I got the bug for sure. If I do decide to go at this myself, is the round end supposed to be sharp?

 

[Magruder]

Nope. The round end isn't a shaving surface. It's supposed to be blunt enough that it won't cut if it bumps into your nose or your ear.

 

[strr]

So keep a sharp edge all the way to the curve?

 

[adonnellyr]

The round is supposed to be dull, but you should be able to reach the difficult areas with the actual blade edge instead of the end...

And even though a razor says "shave ready" it usually isn't. You need one that's labelled as "professionally honed" or something akin to this.

Best,

 

[netsurfr]

Ok thank you a lot magruder. Im located in Houston so Im thinking Ken rup maybe. I could try to do this myself too. Decisions...

Learning to hone is great and I think that most people with the inclination should. However, I highly recommend that you get a honemeister to hone at least one razor for you so that you have a point of reference for how a shave-ready blade should feel on your face. Remember that you still have to strop before each shave. Stropping technique is equally important as you can ruin a shave-ready razor with improper technique. If you put any pressure on the edge while stropping you will likely get a rolled edge and this invariably requires a trip back to at least a polishing hone.

Welcome to B&B and to straight shaving!

 

[strr]

My stropping should have been fine. I watched some youtube videos and had a guy at AoS show me. I kept the strop tight with light pressure. It needs to be honed but I hate the idea of sending it off in the mail.

 

[strr]

Also I was thinking of buying this strop (been using an old leather belt till I could find a strop I liked). Any comments on it?

http://ruprazor.com/store/index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=32

 

[leighton]

Ken's a standup guy, I'm sure his stuff is good and he stands behind it.

 

[strr]

Being born, raised and living in Texas I like the fact that he's in Texas as well lol.

 

[SavantStrike]

Also I was thinking of buying this strop (been using an old leather belt till I could find a strop I liked). Any comments on it?

http://ruprazor.com/store/index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=32

I have a Filly and love it. You can't go wrong with that strop IMO.

 

[strr]

I ordered the Paladin strop and it was mailed out today so Im pretty excited to see how it is.

 

[The Knize]

Ken Rup is great all around. I would say that everyone starting out should have their razor honed by a pro. It just makes lots of things easier and, at the least, removes doubts, and provides an example, if you want to try honing on your own. It would have saved me some hassle, if I had.

 

[professorchaos]

Let's take a different tact here: stop using the pre-shave oil. Firstly, it isn't needed with straights. Secondly, the week I used a pre-shave treatment my shaves stank. Because the whiskers were slick, the straight just slipped over them, instead of engaging and cutting them.

 

[tg16]

Let's take a different tact here: stop using the pre-shave oil. Firstly, it isn't needed with straights. Secondly, the week I used a pre-shave treatment my shaves stank. Because the whiskers were slick, the straight just slipped over them, instead of engaging and cutting them.

I agree with this completely. I stopped using the preshave oil. YMMV; however, I get a good later in the scuttle, then apply it thick enough so I can't see through it, but that's all. I like to see where the blade is.