View Full Version : Decent, not great shave... what did I do wrong?
bluefoxicy
11-09-2009, 04:29 PM
A couple dozen passes each way on a strop. NO stropping during the shave, but like 5 or so passes with the razor.
Bad lather. I still haven't mastered this. When I drew the razor across my cheek, it SUCKED to my face and DRAGGED. It should slide easy, right? Using VDH, I have some SCS coming....
60 strops each way on the Latigo 3 inch (mmm smells like candy) after drying the razor (by stroping on a towel). Took about a minute.
If the lather is not good to start with, you will need to fix it...
Have a look at the tutorial:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21136
Second, your prep is very important. No pressure, let the blade work. Do an initial 60 laps before shaving!
bluefoxicy
11-09-2009, 05:02 PM
If the lather is not good to start with, you will need to fix it...
Have a look at the tutorial:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21136
Second, your prep is very important. No pressure, let the blade work. Do an initial 60 laps before shaving!
Yeah I used that method. If the lather's too hydrated it'll drag, then even more and it's all slick and thin. If it's not hydrated enough, it'll drag. Figuring out the sweet spot seems hard.
Yeah I used that method. If the lather's too hydrated it'll drag, then even more and it's all slick and thin. If it's not hydrated enough, it'll drag. Figuring out the sweet spot seems hard.
Try to use more product and a bit less water!
Blaine
11-09-2009, 05:38 PM
When I drew the razor across my cheek, it SUCKED to my face and DRAGGED. It should slide easy, right?
Sounds like you're using way too shallow an angle. You'll want the blade to be about 30 degrees from your cheek. I'm actually using closer to a 45 degree angle when I shave. At any rate, it shouldn't be that close to your face.
bluefoxicy
11-09-2009, 05:45 PM
Sounds like you're using way too shallow an angle. You'll want the blade to be about 30 degrees from your cheek. I'm actually using closer to a 45 degree angle when I shave. At any rate, it shouldn't be that close to your face.
AHA! I took the most SHALLOW angle I could, not 30 degrees at all. Pretty close to half that!
I believe I did take a steeper angle at one point (I do things wrong and don't care, I'll take one stroke pressing too hard with a DE and just do it instead of stopping, as long as I know it won't rip open my face) and it felt relatively smooth, but I "corrected" that... was afraid it would drag harshly and irritate..
huracan
11-09-2009, 06:05 PM
Actually, 45 deg sounds like way too much. You do want to start with a shallow angle, without putting a protractor to your face, start with the spine just slightly off your face. If that does not glide smoothly down, your blade is not sharp enough.
I also agree with Luc that the lather is very important, specially for a comfortable straight razor shave; I find that a slightly thin and slick lather (not runny) is actually perfect.
bluefoxicy
11-09-2009, 06:14 PM
Actually, 45 deg sounds like way too much. You do want to start with a shallow angle, without putting a protractor to your face, start with the spine just slightly off your face. If that does not glide smoothly down, your blade is not sharp enough.
I also agree with Luc that the lather is very important, specially for a comfortable straight razor shave; I find that a slightly thin and slick lather (not runny) is actually perfect.
Spine was on my face, lather was rather thick. I'll try a slightly higher angle.. experiment some.
Hmm tiny microscopic bits of corrosion. I guess I should buy beef jerky and keep the silica packet in my razor case...
Blaine
11-09-2009, 07:01 PM
Actually, 45 deg sounds like way too much.
I wouldn't recommend anyone try it initially, works fine with my skin though.
The only universal rule I've found about wet shaving is: Do what works for you.
bluefoxicy
11-10-2009, 05:03 PM
Well the second was better... the razor seems to be cutting into the hair, and then tugging before slicing it off though. I wonder if it's too dull...
Blaine
11-10-2009, 05:29 PM
Well the second was better... the razor seems to be cutting into the hair, and then tugging before slicing it off though. I wonder if it's too dull...
Could be. Dragging is a sign of dullness.
If you have a rough side to your strop, you might want to give it a spin on there as well. 10-15 times.
Pull your skin tight as well. Stretch your face. The more taught your skin is the better the cutting surface.
bluefoxicy
11-10-2009, 05:38 PM
Could be. Dragging is a sign of dullness.
If you have a rough side to your strop, you might want to give it a spin on there as well. 10-15 times.
Pull your skin tight as well. Stretch your face. The more taught your skin is the better the cutting surface.
3 inch Latigo strop from SRD, has a canvas thing on it.
bluefoxicy
11-10-2009, 05:58 PM
Ohhhhhhh.......
Lynn says ClassicShaving "PRESHARPENED" Dovos are sharpened AT THE FACTORY, but that he does the honing if you order a HONED razor from them.
Wow. I'm using a stock Dovo, without a proper honing. That explains the severe irritation with my second shave and the inability to cut hair.
Blaine
11-10-2009, 05:58 PM
3 inch Latigo strop from SRD, has a canvas thing on it.
Conventional wisdom is the canvas strop should be used after honing but before a pasted rough leather. But if you rolled an edge you'll need something more aggressive than the latigo.
Give it 5 rounds on the canvas, 15 on the leather and do a test shave (like, just a small patch). If it's still dragging do another 5 and 15. Really focus on good stropping.
If you can't get it to stop dragging you may have to do 10 passes on a barbers hone. That's about the extent of my knowledge. I BELIEVE you can use a piece of cereal box flattened out for a touch up, but do not do that on my word alone. Ask the honemeisters.
Bacchus
11-10-2009, 06:03 PM
Conventional wisdom is the canvas strop should be used after honing but before a pasted rough leather. But if you rolled an edge you'll need something more aggressive than the latigo.
Give it 5 rounds on the canvas, 15 on the leather and do a test shave (like, just a small patch). If it's still dragging do another 5 and 15. Really focus on good stropping.
If you can't get it to stop dragging you may have to do 10 passes on a barbers hone. That's about the extent of my knowledge. I BELIEVE you can use a piece of cereal box flattened out for a touch up, but do not do that on my word alone. Ask the honemeisters.
Ok, calling me out of the woodworks. The canvas strop is used right before the leather and, in my opinion, should be be used before every shave. Also I would say at least 30 on the canvas and then more on the leather.
But, that's just my opinion :biggrin:
Sticky
11-10-2009, 06:04 PM
^ what they said.
Pull out a DE blade and see if your straight feels close to it when using the TPT and HHT. If it is, then it is sharp enough.
leighton
11-11-2009, 10:18 AM
Well the second was better... the razor seems to be cutting into the hair, and then tugging before slicing it off though. I wonder if it's too dull...
Possibly. If it were me, I'd just go grab my finishing stones and refinish the edge.
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