Truckman, I'm about 3 months ahead of you on straight razor shaving, and I will tell you your shaving with some of the best blades out there. The Wolstenhom and the W&B are amazing razors and def not comparable to a Merkur blade. Glen hone's some amazingly sharp blades, but there is a lot to defining what is sharp for your face, however that's not the problem right now. It's your technique, and have faith it will get much much better. Straight razor shaving has a high learning curve to it. It's nothing like DE shaving, we're the most you have to worry about is blade pressure, as the angel is taken care of for you. I suspect your blade angel is not nearly oblique enough. This takes time and confidence, keep lowering the blade closer to your face, and making sure to not use pressure, this is how the hairs really get sliced off. Also too, beard prep is KEY with SR shaving, nothing like with DE's were you can skimp a little and still get a bbs. Secondly, DO NOT GO FOR BBS SHAVES WITH YOUR STRAIGHT! I say this because what you need to focus on right now is a COMFORTABLE shave. Use the KISS method, and def prep that beard. I say this with the kindest of words, I have been there man! I was daunted at first wondering if it was the blade or me or the creams, etc... It's all about technique, once you learn your beard and the angels and facial expressions that work your you will see a huge improvement. Stick with those good blades, and remember to strop with ZERO pressure as not to roll the blade's edge on your strokes. sincerely, D
I'm just starting down this road myself (2 shaves in...) just keep at it. In an attempt to focus on improving my technique I'm not allowing myself to clean up any sub par areas with a DE.
Conggrats on your first foray! I'm waiting on my straight (Dubl Duck Goldedge) and then I will be able to join the club...I have my brush and a nice bowl, and some sample creams to get started. SO excited since I'm switching back from Electric!
Thnx for the report Truckman. I have yet to get everything together for my first str8 shave and this has been helpful for me. Like you, I would be expecting super cutting right off the bat. I would have assumed technique is important in all the tough spots, but on a flat cheek on my dominant side - what the heck?? Could you consider posting occasionaly on this thread to update how it is going for you? Let us know if it gets better or stays the same or whatever. If you are growing to like it, or are growing frustrated or.... That would be quite helpful for me. thnx - and good luck!
Thought I'd update since it'd been a while... I sent the Wostenholm back to be inspected and honed to a higher level of sharpness. The inspection was positive (negative?), meaning I hadn't screwed it up stropping...Got it back and noticed a definite difference. In the mean time I used my W&B and was having pretty much the same trouble as with the Wostenholm... Anyways, two shaves on the Wostie with much improvement in the quality of the shaves. I still have a long way to go on my technique, though... Today I gave myself a bit of "road rash" on my right side under my jawline.... It was suggested to me that the hollow grinds may be too light for me, and that a wedge might be better....what do you all think?
Well, it is always worth a go with a wedge. I quite like them - they give a very quiet shave compared to hollows. A wedge will generally have more weight behind it giving more momentum, which might make it feel as though it is mowing down the hair much easier. Also I suppose a wedge does not have as much "flex" as a full hollow. The thing is though, that a properly shave-ready straight, regardless of grind, should be able to tackle any beard type when used properly. I firmly believe this. James.
I agree, and think the same for DEs... But I have also found with the DEs that I like the heftier razors better for the reasons you listed for the wedge - more weight and momentum makes it feel like it's doing the job better...For me, with the lighter DEs I tend to apply pressure to help them work, which of course is the wrong thing to do.... I think I'm going to pick up some wedges tomorrow...
Truckman, get the wedge. Wedges are what god intended straights to be. Big old hunks of steel, not bendy little slivers. Go broadsword, not epee!
Hey Matt, I'm glad to hear it's getting better for you. I started (a week after you did) with a Wostenholm. I love that thing. Next up for me to send to Glen will be a wedge and another hollow. It's amazing how much patience it takes, but the results are sure worth the effort. Congrats on picking up the new wedge set!
Thanks Tom.... I can tell you I grossly underestimated the amount of time, concentration, and patience it takes.... Don't congratulate me yet, though...I haven't picked up the wedge set yet! Hopefully it's still there when I go back tomorrow!
Just finished my first straight shave Hey all i hope i am not stepping on anyones toes here, i just finished my first shave after spending all day on honing it on my new norton 4k/8k and got it nice and sharp. Although i didnt get is as sharp as i would like, so sharp it will cut you if you look at it wrong, it/I did a prety good job i thought. That whole blade angle thing is exactly right. i kinda cheated though i treated my self to a new haircut and shave. So i watched how he aproached with the angles to the location of the shave on my face. Anyway i didnt realy cut myself to much... big thing is DONT STOP MOVING. Oh i got my strop as well and that is a realy nice peace of equipment. 3" red latigo, fine linnen. Very nice Tony.
