How Does One Knew If He's Ready For a Straight?

[Parallax]

How did the shave go? You hooked yet?

Razor hasn't arrived yet. Was shipped by the PIFfer to the honing guy on Monday. Not sure how long it will take for him to get it shave ready and forward it on to me. Then I of course want to make sure my first run is on a day when I have lots of time. Of late, there have been few such days. I'm finding I can run a Merkur Sledgehammer (one borrowed from a B&B friend) over my face very quickly and easily. Even the Futur set up to 6 no longer takes me very long. But the notion of a completely exposed blade against my neck, with nothing to protect me but my own shave skill, definitely inspires a healthy respect for process.

[Parallax]

Para, you are moving fast my friend!

I'm no expert, but you're dealing with apples and oranges IMO. Your success with DE may mean nothing in relationship to straights. My main issue is having to gain hone and strop skills...or to entrust the honing to a stranger. Most guys slice up their first strop and I don't think stropping is something you just learn overnight.

And those carbon steel blades rust just looking at them.

I think one question to ask yourself is: are you ready to take on the additional prep and razor maintenance?

I guess we will see. Had a chance to speak with Larry at whippeddog and he said none of it is all that difficult. I was concerned about blade maintenance. He said oiling is just a matter of taking a few seconds and running a dab of Vaseline from spine to edge after each shave. As for stropping, I'm going to have to forget everything I've seen in movies. Honing? I've got no clue. Once again, Larry says it's not hard.

[retturn2blades]

Hey guys. Thanks for all the advice. Found a straight on the Never-ending-PIF thread. The generous PIFfer sent it to another generous member today to have the edge honed. Once he's done, it will come my way. I was told to hold off on buying a strop so it's a pretty good guess one will be included. B&B members are the best!

Are there videos or instructions that you would recommend before going for the first shave? I'm wanting something concise and to the point.

Also, any advice is appreciated. How difficult is it shave ATG with a straight?

Geofatboy's youtube vids are quite good and fun to watch.

Good luck Para!

[retturn2blades]

I guess we will see. Had a chance to speak with Larry at whippeddog and he said none of it is all that difficult. I was concerned about blade maintenance. He said oiling is just a matter of taking a few seconds and running a dab of Vaseline from spine to edge after each shave. As for stropping, I'm going to have to forget everything I've seen in movies. Honing? I've got no clue. Once again, Larry says it's not hard.

I bought a Whipped Dog "sight unseen" straight set. Everything seemed pretty decent for the money. My adult son showed an interest so I gave him the set. He's shaved twice with the straight razor.

His results are good and so-so. The shaves have been good in the sense no blood (just one minor nick) and decent shaves. The so-so part is the shaves are not close shaves versus safety razors. His biggest technique challenge is using his left (off) hand. He notices a less close shave on that side of his face.

As for stropping, he's put a couple minor cuts in the strop but he's slowly learning to get the hang of it.

One good thing he reports is zero razor burn...one of my big issues.

He seems to be enjoying his straight razor apprenticeship and will continue.

Keep us posted on your progress, Para.

[Slash McCoy]

Hey guys. Thanks for all the advice. Found a straight on the Never-ending-PIF thread. The generous PIFfer sent it to another generous member today to have the edge honed. Once he's done, it will come my way. I was told to hold off on buying a strop so it's a pretty good guess one will be included. B&B members are the best!

Are there videos or instructions that you would recommend before going for the first shave? I'm wanting something concise and to the point.

Also, any advice is appreciated. How difficult is it shave ATG with a straight?

Whoa.... crawl before you learn to walk! ATG is not difficult if you have thoroughly mastered WTG. Your first shave should be two WTG passes. In fact, I think your first couple dozen shaves ought to be two WTG passes. The first pass is all about beard reduction, not complete beard elimination. The second pass gets it down close and smooth. Later, learn how to get a decent shave in a single WTG pass, and also introduce XTG and ATG into your skill set. Others have done it and possibly you can do it successfully, but I do not recommend going for an ATG pass right away.

Pressure, Angle, Direction, stretching. Those are the things that should be foremost in your mind as you get set to make the first stroke in your first shave. Pressure should be fairly light. The weight of the razor plus the weight of a finger. Angle should be only just deep enough for cutting action. Begin with the spine of the razor against your face, and tilt it outward until you get cutting. If the gap between the spine and your face is about one spine thickness, it is about right. That is a 22 to 25 degree angle, approximatifically. One and a half spine thicknesses is about 35 degrees and is on the verge of being too much. Too much angle will wear your edge and irritate and cut your face. Direction is not always obvious. You need to get to know your face because the whiskers in one spot might grow exactly opposite to the ones only an inch away. The shave doesn't have to be exactly precisely WTG but it should be in the ballpark. Topography of the face sometimes makes true exact WTG impractical. Stretching the is particularly important. It pops the whiskers up so the razor can get them, and it flattens the skin. Taut, flat skin is harder to cut. Loose flappy skin invites cuts. You can stretch with your off hand fingers, and you can stretch by making "shaving faces", and in practice you will use a combination of both. Much of your DE shaving skill set will carry over into straight shaving. One difference is with a straight you have much greater angle control. Also you typically stretch harder with a straight than a DE.

I guess the only thing to do is when you get your razor, give it a go. Don't strop before your first shave. Your untried stropping skills will not improve the fresh shave-ready edge. If you find yourself without a strop, you can make one out of newspaper. Just fold a whole sheet lengthwise a few times until it is 3" wide or a little less. Loop one end over your towel rack and pinch both ends together, pull it tight, and walah. A strop. Not as good as leather but it will work. Use that before your second shave. Meanwhile order a cheap one for learning on. The www.whippeddog.com poor man strop kit is a good beginner setup. After a couple of months you can upgrade to a www.starshaving.com Big Daddy, and if the poorman is still intact, use it for a travel strop and a backup. The pasted balsa in the kit is a valuable tool for extending the life of your freshly honed edge.

A lot of guys will tell you to use your DE to clean up after your straight. I suggest you not use your DE as training wheels. Your straight shave will improve much more quickly if you totally rely on it. YMMV of course.

[cb91710]

Ditto.

My first straight shave left me with stubble that resembled what I'm left with after an electric... or about 48 hour's growth.
I did the 2nd and 3rd passes with my DE.

2nd night, I committed to the Straight, and it went pretty well, but my technique was bad and for the first month or so I was dulling my blades quickly.

Now after 6 months, I only think about the hones every 3 or 4 months, and the last time it was more of a maintenance thing where I just decided to sit down with all 6 straights and freshen them up. The two in my normal rotation were working fine, but losing the edge that allows for a bloodless ATG under the nose. I'd been getting weepers and some pulling on that pass.

[DougieB]

I have been asking myself the same question. I have enjoyed the TECH immensely, but I have been wondering if grandpa knew something I didn't?

I'm gonna find out. My Whipped dog sight unseen deal shipped today. Should be able to try it b4 the 4th.

[ladykate]

I have been asking myself the same question. I have enjoyed the TECH immensely, but I have been wondering if grandpa knew something I didn't?

I'm gonna find out. My Whipped dog sight unseen deal shipped today. Should be able to try it b4 the 4th.

Take it slow and easy. It won't be as good as a DE at first... but it sneaks up and most straight users feel the straight shave is better and longer lasting. I am one of them.

We can talk about it all day but the zen of straight shaving is best enjoyed - not discussed. It takes a while but you have a great sense of accomplishment when you master it. And mastering is not an impossible goal... you just need to practice.

[dpm802]

I think one question to ask yourself is: are you ready to take on the additional prep and razor maintenance?

That's what's holding me back. I don't have the time for stropping and honing and so forth. I'm looking forward to going with straight razors at least once or twice a week after I retire.

I have been asking myself the same question. I have enjoyed the TECH immensely, but I have been wondering if grandpa knew something I didn't?

My grandfather was an old-school barber, and he had dozens of straights that he used to shave his customers. But you know what he used at home to shave himself? A Gillette Superspeed and/or a Schick Injector. And he used Barbasol goop and/or Noxzema shave cream to lather with. Maybe he did know something we don't about straight razors.

[Wetworks]

Just do it! I went from a Mach 3 to a Red point straight and didn't kill myself-so you should be fine. Do it-just do it...

[Gissy]

That's what's holding me back. I don't have the time for stropping and honing and so forth. I'm looking forward to going with straight razors at least once or twice a week after I retire.

My grandfather was an old-school barber, and he had dozens of straights that he used to shave his customers. But you know what he used at home to shave himself? A Gillette Superspeed and/or a Schick Injector. And he used Barbasol goop and/or Noxzema shave cream to lather with. Maybe he did know something we don't about straight razors.

I would guess he just didn't have the time for a leisurely shave on himself. We have far more free time today than our grandfathers had.

[Parallax]

Well, my straight honed and in the mail, heading my way. Very exciting. Will update when it arrives and I've had my first shave.

[orchyboy]

Since taking up DE shaving, I've been discovering ever more aggressive razors. Of late, my Futur has been the go-to razor. This morning, for the first time, I set it to six for the entire shave (not just touch ups) and got my best shave yet -- very close with no razor burn. My technique is now at a point where there's no pressure and the angle is consistently good. My lathers are still improving but definitely serviceable.

I've been recently feeling the call of the straight. Given that I'm doing so well with the Futur at its maximum setting, is that an indication that I'm ready?

This, I'd thought about it a little bit once switching to DE. Though in honesty I have been fascinated with them since I first started shaving.

[rimmini]

Never went DE myself. I started on an eco kick decided I didn't need to put plastic into the landfill. 15 years learning the hard way.

[Parallax]

Ok, well -- the straight arrived today! Look forward to trying it out tomorrow (heck, maybe tonight)!

[smalltank]

I de's for 2.5 years before waking up 1 day.."im bored"..I need more of a challenge!..I never regretted it!..yea had my downs and ups..always told myself NOT to quit..too much time and patience "invested" in it

[Parallax]

First shave this morning. It did not go well. Will post about it in a separate thread. But, in answer to my own question, I'm not ready for a straight. Not that I'm giving up -- no way. Just not ready for prime time.

Had hoped that, having become quite competent with a DE, the straight would be easy. No such luck. Didn't cut myself and nothing really bad happened. Just pulled and tugged like crazy -- so much so that I loaded the Fat Boy and the Futur with a Feather and Astra, respectively, and did it the way I know how.

Was disappointing but the silver lining is this community. I knew that the men here would have both the knowledge and the desire to help me. Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to do likewise for guys then-new to the world of straights.

[Doc226]

Just pulled and tugged like crazy

I would encourage you to try again, but do a first pass WTG with the DE first, then do a pass with the straight-also WTG.

I don't know who honed it for you but if they are here and willing to hone it for you, most likely that is not the issue.

All newbies suffer from dull razor syndrome, blame the razor but the real culprit is technique.

[cb91710]

+1

It may not be that you were not ready for a straight.
It could be that the straight was not ready for your face.

And even with a sharply honed blade, poor technique will also cause what you described.

[drathgeb]

Practice makes perfect. That being said I thought I was getting worse at it for the first couple weeks