So... I recently renewed my interest in straight razor shaving and purchased a high quality straight razor. I won't post the maker here because I don't want to disparage any maker unjustly, but it was purchased directly from an authorized retailer. The razor was billed as "shave ready" with a detailed explanation of what that entailed (including hand stropping, etc). The razor in question is a 6/8 quarter grind square point.
When the razor arrived it appeared to be very well made and of exceptional quality. I stropped the edge only a few times paying particular attention to technique. As I said before, I used to use a straight razor, so this isn't my first attempt, although it has been a solid 10 years absence.
Anyway, when I began shaving (prep included a hot shower, Proraso pre-shave, Tabac shaving cream - standard DE routine I've been using for some time), I noticed the razor didn't seem to glide very smoothly over my face. The blade seemed to sort of start and stop on my face. I tried changing my angle, adding more shaving cream... nothing seemed to help. The shave was not irritating, but it also didn't seem terribly close (although I attribute most of that to my lack of practice).
Following my shave, I examined the edge for defects (without finding any), and stropped the razor 60+ times. The following day I attempted a shave again with similar results.
My question is: can a razor be too sharp? Is it possible there is a microscopic burr on the edge? Am I missing something? Suggestions? My old razor was a Dovo 5/8. I remember it being pretty scary sharp, but I also remember it gliding more smoothly over my skin... and, as my first razor, I put that Dovo through some abuse! It was dropped, edge was occasionally nicked due to poor honing and stropping technique (by me)... Unfortunately, I no longer have the Dovo for comparison... Could this be an angle issue? A prep issue? It honestly feels like the razor is so sharp it's slicing through any lubrication and straight into my skin... is that possible?
Any comments are greatly appreciated.
When the razor arrived it appeared to be very well made and of exceptional quality. I stropped the edge only a few times paying particular attention to technique. As I said before, I used to use a straight razor, so this isn't my first attempt, although it has been a solid 10 years absence.
Anyway, when I began shaving (prep included a hot shower, Proraso pre-shave, Tabac shaving cream - standard DE routine I've been using for some time), I noticed the razor didn't seem to glide very smoothly over my face. The blade seemed to sort of start and stop on my face. I tried changing my angle, adding more shaving cream... nothing seemed to help. The shave was not irritating, but it also didn't seem terribly close (although I attribute most of that to my lack of practice).
Following my shave, I examined the edge for defects (without finding any), and stropped the razor 60+ times. The following day I attempted a shave again with similar results.
My question is: can a razor be too sharp? Is it possible there is a microscopic burr on the edge? Am I missing something? Suggestions? My old razor was a Dovo 5/8. I remember it being pretty scary sharp, but I also remember it gliding more smoothly over my skin... and, as my first razor, I put that Dovo through some abuse! It was dropped, edge was occasionally nicked due to poor honing and stropping technique (by me)... Unfortunately, I no longer have the Dovo for comparison... Could this be an angle issue? A prep issue? It honestly feels like the razor is so sharp it's slicing through any lubrication and straight into my skin... is that possible?
Any comments are greatly appreciated.
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