Struggling With Straights

The sharpness of the razors was never really in question, it was just my ability to be able to use them, and the suitability for my face.

The razor I used last night was a full hollow grind, but tonight I think I'll try one of the stiffer razors that Neil sent to me.

A curious thing that I have found is that, even though I am right hand dominant, and shave with DE razors exclusively right-handed, I am finding that I can shave the left side of my face better with my left hand, than i can shave the rigt side of my face with my right hand!!! Most odd.

Ian
 
Better again tonight.

Used a different razor tonight, a 6/8 with a 'stiffer' grind than last night. This razor seemed better in some places, but worse in others, but did a fair job.

The shaves I am getting are not that good, but at least I'm getting shaves!

Ian
 
Hmm, tonight's straight shave was pretty bad.

Same blade as last night, but unfortunately no real improvement over Monday's shave, worse if anything.

I've got burn, and a nice little cut on my upper cheek which I don't recall happening, and the shave is anything but close, so nothing appears to have improved.

I'm going back to DE shaves until the weekend.

Ian
 
I'm beaten. I'm throwing in the towel.

Straight razors don't work for me, and I'm not enjoying the challenge. I've had burn, I've lost blood, and then had to finish with a DE or a Sensor. Life's too short.

Most of the experienced straight shavers out there are probably reading this and thinking "oh, he's not doing it right", but trust me, I've read every guide, watched every video on youtube, and taken advice from various forum members, and I can't get it to work.

I'm done with it.

Ian
 
Ian

Don't feel bad about it.

Although I have had some fine shaves when straight shaving, I don't really enjoy the whole of the ritual required. DE shaving suits me perfectly. Now I'm confident and comfortable with my razor it's become so easy to deliver great results. I am free to enjoy my brushes, creams and soaps without the tension, anxiety and concentration required with a straight in hand. Shaving to us enthusiasts must be about pleasure and indulgence. Once it stops being that, its time to move on.
 
Fido said:
IAlthough I have had some fine shaves when straight shaving, I don't really enjoy the whole of the ritual required.
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Strange, isn't it? I actually enjoyed stropping more than shaving, but unfortunately, the shaves were quite a distance from "fine".

I don't feel bad about it, as I can now walk away from it knowing that I gave it a good shot (with no small amount of help from Neil Miller and other forum dwellers), and will no longer have to ask the question "what if.....".

Ian
 
cheese_dave said:
If I look up into the clear blue sky I can see the dots that are the TSR vultures circling for your ex-straight shaving gear...
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Too late for the razors, my friend! I have agreed to give Ian a full refund for them. We haven't come to a firm price for the strop though, so a PM to Ian might persuade him to part with it....

Regards,
Neil
 
Gannet-Crest.jpg
 
Haha, don't mind me, I'm still struggling to do more than a WTG pass with my straights, I'm not really in the market for another yet... unless... a Thiers Issard, perhaps?
 
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