I picked up my new straight a while back from SRD. I'm not having the best luck with it. I know that the edge is properly honed. I also know that I am doing a good job with my 'prep'. The problem is that I simply can not seem to get the angle down. If I go too steep it just scrapes. If I go to shallow it doesn't cut. I am trying to find that perfect angle in-between where it will actually cut the hair properly and I am not finding it. I know that the blade is cutting hair somewhat because I can see the stubble on the blade when I rinse it. That being said, one with the grain pass removes very little hair. I've read as much as possible. I've watched as many videos as I can. I still don't get it. I'm hoping that someone can tell me a way to make this work. An example of how to get the angle right. I know that this comes from inexperience and that I will eventually find the sweet spot, but I am hoping that someone can give me some good advice. Thank you all!
Also, I'm as certain as one can be that the edge hasn't been harmed from my stropping. I am extremely careful when I do it. I have two newly honed razors and I am having the exact same problem with both. I am convinced that the problem lies in my angle. I don't see any of factor causing it.
You might try this: Put the blade flat on the skin surface and rotate the spine up about two spine widths; (approx. 5 degrees) that should be a good stroke angle. You mentioned your pre shave prep is good but, there are a couple of other things to consider. Are you stretching the skin when you are making the stroke with the blade? Also, There should be light pressure on the skin as the blade makes it pass. A heavy stroke will roll the skin in front of the blade and cause irritation and doesn't really work as well as a light even stroke that slices the whisker off at the surface of the skin. The blade angle must be maintained during the entire stroke. (The blade must be rotated as needed relative to the skin 's planer surface. ) I'm not sure how long you have been using the straight but, it takes a while to get your technique and all the mechanics working together. Hang in there and it will come together for you. It takes at least a month of shaves to find that sweet angle and perfect your mechanics. When you do it will be well worth it.
Watch this, try it exactly this way, if you can't get it to work, then it is time to look at the edge... http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/video-what-is-the-shave-test.32920/
Stroker and Glen have both covered the angle thing, so I'll comment on the stropping. You can certainly kill the edge on a freshly honed razor by improper stropping. I know, I did it last night. Let me explain. Immediately after honing the blade, I shaved my arm hair by laying the blade flat, raising the spine 1 width, and moving forward. The hairs just fell away. I was excited. I'm trying to learn how to hone, and this was my best result yet. At this point, I felt like a good stropping was going to yield "Super Razor" with an ultra smooth cut. So, I did 15 strokes on the linen side, and 15 strokes on the leather side. I went back to my arm expecting the hairs to practically jump away from the razor in shear terror. Duh. The razor pushed the hairs over like a snow plow and they sprang right back up after the blade had passed over. That damn razor would not shave a hair from my arm to save my life. I knew the stropping had done it. I had gotten too heavy handed with the stropping. I had rolled the edge because I'd put downward pressure on the blade during it's travel back and forth on the strop. To verify this, I borrowed my daughters microscope (40X, 60X, and 120X) and checked the edge. Sure enough, I had killed it. Don't get discouraged. As you know, the straight is not just a "pick it up and shave with it" tool. It just isn't. It takes time to master and we're going to make mistakes. (at least I am...) Read Strokers advice carefully, and watch Glen's video. If you are still having trouble, it's like Glen says, "it's time to look at the edge". Best of luck and stay with it, you ARE going to win!
I certainly understand the stretching idea. I can tell a real difference when I do it because the shave is closer, but it's still not where it should be. I'm going to continue to work on stretching, but I think it's the angle that is 'most' wrong with what I'm doing. I will watch that video linked above when I get off work tonight. Thank you all for the advice!
Glen has a great video that should help with your angle determination. As was mentioned; stropping errors or bad mechanics is also a possibility. Stick to it and you will find what is out of turn. Good luck!
Some great advice being shared in this thread so all I can add to the discussion is a few words of encouragement. Shaving with an straight razor can be intimidating at first, frustrating at times and makes one wish it were easier! But when you finally have that 'a-ha!' moment where the blade feels comfortable in your hand AND on your face—you are quick to realize what the appeal of straight razor shaving really is all about: The mastering of a razor-sharp blade that yields possibly the closest, smoothest shave possible. It does take time. It does take patience. And it won't happen overnight. I am no expert—in fact, I am still a novice SR shaver who only has been scraping away with one for the past 3-4 months. My skills have improved since I started using the razor, and accordingly, so have my shaving results. Heed the advice given here, and you'll be putting yourself on the right path! Best of luck!
I do hope that I haven't damaged the edge. I don't believe that I have. The hairs on my arm pop off at first site...though I have only tried it after the last time trying to shave with it. I may see if I can get a video clip of myself trying to use it, though I'm not sure I can get anything set up to do so.
Had a really busy week this week so I haven't been able to give it another go. I'm letting my hair grow out a little and I'm going to try it again when I get off work tomorrow
