I've been shaving with a DE for about 5-6 months. I've moved up to the Feather blades, and find they give me a very close shave. Although, I do tend to rush, at times, and find myself getting nicks and weepers more often than I should. If I go slowly, it's usually a decent shave. But I don't think I've ever had a shave without at least a couple spots of blood somewhere... Perhaps my lather needs some work. Maybe it's technique. But, I tend to have bumps here and there from some intermittent acne, and that really doesn't help keep the bloodshed down.
Lately, I've been curious about straight razors. I've read a lot about them, the different types/grinds, honing and stropping, shaving technique, and so on. I traded an item for a couple of straights (a 6/8 and a 4/8) and a strop, and picked up some additional "Poor Man's" strops from Whipped Dog. So, I figure I have what I need to get started. The straights were honed before shipment. Until now, I did not feel ready to attempt a shave with them. But last night, I finally worked up to giving it a try.
After taking a shower and wetting down my face with hot water, I built my lather, using the best cream I have. After applying the lather, I gave the 6/8 straight a try going WTG, starting at the sideburns, and keeping the razor fairly clean as I went (wiping on a soft towel after a quick rinse). I found it very difficult to move through the hair. But, I figured it was because I had 2-3 days of stubble to deal with. I kept on trying, but it was just too difficult. So, I did a WTG pass with my DE to get the growth down. Then I tried again, still going WTG. It was definitely easier, especially when I remembered to stretch the skin tightly. But, it still wasn't very easy. I ended up making it through maybe a pass and a half with the straight, and then just finished up with my DE. Of course, I nicked myself up the wazoo, since I was a bit frustrated, and just wanted to wrap things up.
I'm positive that the razor isn't nearly sharp enough. I tried my hand at the hanging-hair test (HHT), and it wouldn't really catch the hair. And even when it did, I had to move the edge laterally to get it to catch. For all intents and purposes, it only bent the hair back. No splitting. No cutting. So, now I need to try my hand at honing. I'm working on getting my hands on some honing film. Once I do, I'll get that puppy sharpened up in no time, and try shaving again. Since I have two razors, I may send one in to WD and trade for another one that's ready to go. Then I can practice shaving with that one and hone the one I already have. Plus, I'd like a larger razor than the 4/8 that I received.
It just goes to show that one man's "shave-ready" razor doesn't always cut it for someone else. On the bright side, I really only cut myself once; a nice slice on the top of my ear, as I was trying to feel out how close I could get without hitting my ear. Got a little careless, and there you have it... a nice 1/2" slice right above the ear. (No Vincent van Gogh jokes, please...
It was my right ear, anyway... not my left.) Otherwise, the rest of my face is in good shape, with no real razor burn.
Lately, I've been curious about straight razors. I've read a lot about them, the different types/grinds, honing and stropping, shaving technique, and so on. I traded an item for a couple of straights (a 6/8 and a 4/8) and a strop, and picked up some additional "Poor Man's" strops from Whipped Dog. So, I figure I have what I need to get started. The straights were honed before shipment. Until now, I did not feel ready to attempt a shave with them. But last night, I finally worked up to giving it a try.
After taking a shower and wetting down my face with hot water, I built my lather, using the best cream I have. After applying the lather, I gave the 6/8 straight a try going WTG, starting at the sideburns, and keeping the razor fairly clean as I went (wiping on a soft towel after a quick rinse). I found it very difficult to move through the hair. But, I figured it was because I had 2-3 days of stubble to deal with. I kept on trying, but it was just too difficult. So, I did a WTG pass with my DE to get the growth down. Then I tried again, still going WTG. It was definitely easier, especially when I remembered to stretch the skin tightly. But, it still wasn't very easy. I ended up making it through maybe a pass and a half with the straight, and then just finished up with my DE. Of course, I nicked myself up the wazoo, since I was a bit frustrated, and just wanted to wrap things up.
I'm positive that the razor isn't nearly sharp enough. I tried my hand at the hanging-hair test (HHT), and it wouldn't really catch the hair. And even when it did, I had to move the edge laterally to get it to catch. For all intents and purposes, it only bent the hair back. No splitting. No cutting. So, now I need to try my hand at honing. I'm working on getting my hands on some honing film. Once I do, I'll get that puppy sharpened up in no time, and try shaving again. Since I have two razors, I may send one in to WD and trade for another one that's ready to go. Then I can practice shaving with that one and hone the one I already have. Plus, I'd like a larger razor than the 4/8 that I received.
It just goes to show that one man's "shave-ready" razor doesn't always cut it for someone else. On the bright side, I really only cut myself once; a nice slice on the top of my ear, as I was trying to feel out how close I could get without hitting my ear. Got a little careless, and there you have it... a nice 1/2" slice right above the ear. (No Vincent van Gogh jokes, please...
It was my right ear, anyway... not my left.) Otherwise, the rest of my face is in good shape, with no real razor burn.
