I know this has been covered before, but as a new user to straight (4 times) I find at times that my razor seems to become stuck and won't glide. Is this because of my angle? I notice it more so on the chin and neck. Also since I'm starting out, a lot of times my soap/cream dries before I get to that section. If/when that happens, is it better to wash the somewhat dried soap off and apply new? Are straights more inclined to stick and drag when going across somewhat dried soap? Thanks!
I can't answer the question totally but I can give you my thoughts. Whenever i hve a dry spot i dont even rinse i just put brush to face and make some more lather there. I have gotten some razors to skip when using a not sick cream or soap. But that was just one soap I have used. I would say try more lather but for the straight part of it. I cannot help sorry.
Yea, I find a tendency to stick and drag over dry lather. I just hit the area with the brush again. I've also found the brand of soap plays a big factor in the glide of the blade. I try to only use TSD soaps for my Saturday str8 shave. But that's me.
If yer new, yer slow Lather half of your face at a time until you speed up some (DO NOT rush it) Make sure you really soak your face before you lather, that water film under the lather helps the glide.. Even if you have to lather a section at a time, that is better then dry, or drying lather for a straight razor...
I had a similar experience when I first started with a straight. I agree with the others that you should be sure to re-lather spots that have dried up. As you get more practice, you will inevitably get faster, so dry lather won't be a problem anymore. Furthermore, your feel for blade angle and pressure will get better and your razor will glide through your whiskers with ease. It just takes a little time.
Same thing happens to me. I been easing into sr shaving for a week or two. I've been shaving about 1/2 my face with sr before going to the disposable. Some times it goes pretty smooth and other times it doesn't. When my razor hangs I first apply more lather. If that doesn't work, I dry my razor and strop it 10-15 times and apply more lather. More lather usually helps, but sometimes the razor gods just aren't with me and I give up. I plan to hang in there until I get it right or cut my throat.
The brand of lather really makes a difference to me. Tonight I was shaving with Col Konks Bay Rum soap. Smells great, but does not leave a lingering lather, and neither does it provide that extra "glide" I like. I washed it off, and applied the cheap Wal-Mart soap, the Van Der Hagen with it's Aloe Vera and Shea Butter ingredients, and it was like I was using a whole different razor. The soap did not dry out quickly and the razor glides along a lot better... smoother, softer... a kinder gentler razor.. LOL As Glen says... YMMV. There might be better soaps, but for $1.58 per bar, I haven't found one yet.
You reminded me when I started out shaving with a straight...by the time I got to my chin area, the soap was dry and flacky...you might want to just apply soap to the area around your mouth and chin and shave; when shaving around your mouth you slow down for obvious reasons, also watch the angle of your blade; when you are finished here, then apply lather to your cheeks and shave, short down strokes; you shave this area quick you will have not problems here with soap drying on you. On the neck area and below your jawbone is the same; lather this area last...I guess this is just like the Romans would say: "Divide and conquer" HOG
Lather for straight razor shaving needs to be slicker/wetter than lather for safety razor shaving. With a safety razor, the lather can be thick and almost like a paste. That won't work with a straight razor. Whatever the soap or cream that you use, make sure you add a little more water when making lather. There's no need to completely rinse off dried lather. Just apply new lather. I used a Williams soap today. I didn't even use a brush. I let it soak for a few seconds, rubbed it in my hands, and applied the lather to my face and neck.
+1 on wetter lather, just not too wet - that also will make the blade 'chatter'. It won't take you long to figure out the right formula
