So while I am saving up for my Feather SS Non Folding I decided to buy a "sight unseen" straight razor to pass the time. It came in the mail today and without hesitation I lathered up and tried to put it to use. Only one problem...It wouldn't shave for the life of me. I do have a pretty thick beard and I am on about three days growth, but I feel like I must be doing something wrong. I know that Larry honed it up right so that isn't the problem, and I did Kyle's prep with a pre shave oil and a Steick shaving stick so I was definitely good and lathered, but no matter what angle I tried it would just not cut my whiskers. Where am I going wrong? Was I supposed to strop it right out of the package?
Straight Razor Too Dull?
- Thread starter Albon
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always strop before and after shaves. hell,, i do it between passes. but it still doesnt sound right. i hone my own so...
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- #3
Oh ok that's good to know. After doing some more digging on the forum it seems like other newbies have similar experiences due to their technique not being so great so that could also be my problem.
If your stropping..and technique is incorrect..the blade can go downhill..could need a rehone or 50 laps to bring the edge back... imo
+1 on technique. I believe that Larry strops them before sending them out, so that shouldn't have been a problem. Check your angle!
Shaving with a very sharp Feather blade is very different to shaving with a shave ready straight. It'll take you a little while to get your technique right for a real straight.
Larry warns you not to strop before shaving for the first time as the blade is really shave ready. I just finished shave number 2 z
with my first sight unseen and have no qualms. I would suggest to the technique, I know you probably shouldn't do this as a noob but I introduced a slight scything motion in my stroke at the end of the second pass this morning and it made a hell of a difference. Still you should be able to shave even a thick beard with Larry's prepared razors, I shaved on Saturday afternoon and although I don't have wire wool growing from my chin after a light beard reduction on more difficult areas the blade sliced through the hairs.
Keep at it and don't get disheartened, you'll get there in the end!
I'm already starting to laugh at how scary I considered it to put an unprotected razor against my throat until a couple of days ago!
with my first sight unseen and have no qualms. I would suggest to the technique, I know you probably shouldn't do this as a noob but I introduced a slight scything motion in my stroke at the end of the second pass this morning and it made a hell of a difference. Still you should be able to shave even a thick beard with Larry's prepared razors, I shaved on Saturday afternoon and although I don't have wire wool growing from my chin after a light beard reduction on more difficult areas the blade sliced through the hairs.
Keep at it and don't get disheartened, you'll get there in the end!
I'm already starting to laugh at how scary I considered it to put an unprotected razor against my throat until a couple of days ago!
First time I wa sure Larry's blade was dull! It's all about technique with a straight. It's easier to do than explain, but after a short while, you'll find the razor moving forward just before it touches skin. That momentum is important IMO, though of course the angle and lack of pressure are equally important.
I would bet the problem is technique.
There should be a warning that pops up when a new straight razor thread is written with those words. Very often a straight razor can seem dull even if its plenty sharp. The ironic part is that as technique improves the razor actually probably dulls because of the previous technique.
So strop well, take your time and make sure you just go for practice and experience.
Good luck
So strop well, take your time and make sure you just go for practice and experience.
Good luck
The only way to know if your razor is sharp is to do an HHT before you begin shaving. It may not be perfect, but it will at least give you a baseline so you know what you're dealing with. If, out of the box, the razor struggles with the HHT, then it's a good idea to strop and retest.
My first shave with the whipped dog special wasn't good. My poor stropping technique made the next shave even worse. Once I learned proper technique, I was able to get the blade acceptably sharp and my shaves went much smoother after that.
So, it could very well be a combination of poor technique and a blade that was delivered somewhat dull.
My first shave with the whipped dog special wasn't good. My poor stropping technique made the next shave even worse. Once I learned proper technique, I was able to get the blade acceptably sharp and my shaves went much smoother after that.
So, it could very well be a combination of poor technique and a blade that was delivered somewhat dull.
That is good advice, but it might be too late for this edge.
shave a bit of armhair..if it "pinks" off...your fine
First, don't try to do a big growth of beard with your first shave. You don't have the technique down as yet and you will likely be disappointed. Get the technique and the shave will come behind it. Consider cleaning off the scrub-brush beard with a DE and then practicing with the straight to see how it works.
Your question has been asked a few times - people think the razor is dull because it won't strip off several days growth of thick under-brush. In fact, it certainly will but it won't in the hands of a newbie (most likely).
Your question has been asked a few times - people think the razor is dull because it won't strip off several days growth of thick under-brush. In fact, it certainly will but it won't in the hands of a newbie (most likely).
- Thread starter
- #18
Thanks for the help guys, I did some more you tube watching and after some more practice I have found it most definitely WAS my technique that needed improvement, not the edge. I'm getting there.
On a side note, I threw in a feather on my Gilette Tech and finally came away with my first BBS shave thanks to using Total Shaving Solution as a pre-oil and some finely lathered Cella on the back end. (I hear a noise...it's my Mach 3 hitting the bottom of the trash can).
On a side note, I threw in a feather on my Gilette Tech and finally came away with my first BBS shave thanks to using Total Shaving Solution as a pre-oil and some finely lathered Cella on the back end. (I hear a noise...it's my Mach 3 hitting the bottom of the trash can).
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