Straight Shaving for Beginners

[Project2571]

USB microscope is a tool like others, it has own flaws. Scratch marks don't tell everything. I shaved with that blade this morning and I wasn't so wild about result. It was ok but far away from perfect. I am not a big fan of small straights but as it's not in my main set it's good for an education and practising purpose.
That earlier picture looks pretty ok, and somehow smooth but it wasn't (at least how I want to)
On magnification it depends what you want to find there. Look at these photos

This one is after this morning shaving, cleaning and short maintenance stropping

Like I said I wasn't happy. So it needs more testing and understanding what must do.
I tested my stropping technique and here is result of more stropping with latigo and horsehide

Again not happy but better ( just to evaluate the photo, shaving test comes tomorrow morning)

More stropping and now better and this one I want to shave with tomorrow

Here is an explanation

Scratch marks stays the same but micro bevel is going smoother (hopefully, I'll feel that tomorrow morning)

 

[UKRob]

If I saw that blue discolouration on the edge of the KAI blade on a straight razor I'd wonder if the temper was blown.

Bob

Could it be the coating Bob?

 

[Project2571]

Could it be the coating Bob?

Looks like that, didn't know and think about it earlier. Good to know. Bob is still right about the temper....
captaintitanmild

 

[R181]

Could it be the coating Bob?

Anything is possible I suppose. I have never seen any other coated blades edge under magnification to compare. It just reminded me of blown temper.

Bob

 

[Darrenj67]

If this isn't in the right place please move.
Seem to be getting on ok with the straight shaving, all done with no blood letting but for the life of me I can't seem to get a bbs on my jaw line. Its acceptable just not as smooth as the rest. Any pointers please greatfully accepted.

 

[SammieM]

If this isn't in the right place please move.
Seem to be getting on ok with the straight shaving, all done with no blood letting but for the life of me I can't seem to get a bbs on my jaw line. Its acceptable just not as smooth as the rest. Any pointers please greatfully accepted.

Stretch in the opposite direction of the hair growth. I have the same problem and this sorts it out. Just put some lather on the finger tips and move the fingers and straight in tandem as you stretch and shave at the same time. Sometimes I just wet my fingers and use the water as lubricant. Usually there is enough residual slickness that I don’t get any irritation. I just rest the razor hand on top of the stretching hand as I move in order to avoid nicks. Let me know how you get on.

 

[R181]

If this isn't in the right place please move.
Seem to be getting on ok with the straight shaving, all done with no blood letting but for the life of me I can't seem to get a bbs on my jaw line. Its acceptable just not as smooth as the rest. Any pointers please greatfully accepted.

Yea, jaw lines are tricky. You can pull up on your cheeks to bring the jaw line skin up onto your cheek area or pull down on your throat for the opposite effect.

Bob

 

[Darrenj67]

Stretch in the opposite direction of the hair growth. I have the same problem and this sorts it out. Just put some lather on the finger tips and move the fingers and straight in tandem as you stretch and shave at the same time. Sometimes I just wet my fingers and use the water as lubricant. Usually there is enough residual slickness that I don’t get any irritation. I just rest the razor hand on top of the stretching hand as I move in order to avoid nicks. Let me know how you get on.

Tried your suggestion and it seemed to feel a little awkward. Went with rob181 and pulled the skin up over my jaw then down under. Seemed to work easier for me. Then got to thinking just enjoy the shave under a welding mask all day who's going to see it anyway . If needs be until it comes naturally I could always touch up with a de

 

[UKRob]

Tried your suggestion and it seemed to feel a little awkward. Went with rob181 and pulled the skin up over my jaw then down under. Seemed to work easier for me. Then got to thinking just enjoy the shave under a welding mask all day who's going to see it anyway . If needs be until it comes naturally I could always touch up with a de

Load of bollocks about the welding mask - we shave to please ourselves and if you have not worked that out already, then you should not be on a shaving forum.

 

[Tonyschin]

Load of bollocks about the welding mask - we shave to please ourselves and if you have not worked that out already, then you should not be on a shaving forum.

Rob, I think the op was thinking out aloud, I spent many a year with my head in a bucket staring at a little blue light, trying to make sense of things during these long days is quite calming, thinking about a Str8 shave and how you could improve it would work well.
I may also be miles off the mark and talking bollards
T

 

[SammieM]

Load of bollocks about the welding mask - we shave to please ourselves and if you have not worked that out already, then you should not be on a shaving forum.

Rob is right you know. Few people at work know what I shave with and none know how much I enjoy it… Not even my partner…

 

[SammieM]

Tried your suggestion and it seemed to feel a little awkward. Went with rob181 and pulled the skin up over my jaw then down under. Seemed to work easier for me. Then got to thinking just enjoy the shave under a welding mask all day who's going to see it anyway . If needs be until it comes naturally I could always touch up with a de

Sorry it didn’t work out. If you actually have a razor on the keener side, you don’t even have to stretch…

 

[Darrenj67]

Sorry it didn’t work out. If you actually have a razor on the keener side, you don’t even have to stretch…

Really , so your razors aren't as keen as they should be being as you stretch your skin wit the fingers and shave following them along as I understand it?
Or did I get that wrong too.

 

[SammieM]

Really , so your razors aren't as keen as they should be being as you stretch your skin wit the fingers and sh

Really , so your razors aren't as keen as they should be being as you stretch your skin wit the fingers and shave following them along as I understand it?
Or did I get that wrong too.

ave following them along as I understand it?
Or did I get that wrong too.

There is a balance between keen and comfortable. Some people like them on the keen side, some like them on the comfortable side. I like them towards the keen side, but not quiet laser sharp. I never finish on water on my naturals as if I do that those edges rival 0.1 CBN edge. The shaves with edges like those are irritating to me. I stretch, because I aim for BBS every time. And I buff too in order to get there. If my razors are too keen, I wouldn’t be able to buff.

BTW, what did you get wrong before? If I misunderstood, I apologise, but if you meant that comment in a condescending way, that is a poor form as I am trying to help you.

 

[SammieM]

Really , so your razors aren't as keen as they should be being as you stretch your skin wit the fingers and shave following them along as I understand it?
Or did I get that wrong too.

Also, I am relatively new to straights. I have been shaving only few years with them and it is still a learning process. The no stretch have is a fairly recent development for me, but effective. I would say 98-99% BBS, but not quiet there.. Not sure what you finish your razors with, but if you wanna test an edge, you can send me a beater and I will be more than happy to put an edge on it for you to try. That way you can compare.
We do what works for us. There are no rules. What might work for some, doesn’t work for other.