# Tips on shaving with a straight razor **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 28, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202 "2011-06-28T23:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202/1 "2011-06-28T23:17:06Z")
Okay, I got a shavette a month or so ago. I’ve been dutifully shaving with it (new razors every shave) and consequently losing what seems like a pint of the red vino every time. Yes, I don’t actually spring a geyser every time (I was being hyperbolic), but I do manage to knick myself somehow. As an FYI, I’m shaving every other day. So, I implore you, my fair dopers, share your tips. And no, I’m not giving up an going back to the Mach3. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202/2 "2011-06-29T07:27:15Z")
You’re pressing too hard. Cheap disposable razors (and the Mach3) make it really easy to act like you’re raking leaves on a fall day, and it’s a hard habit to break. What kind of soap and brush do you have? Get rid of the canned stuff, it sucks and I hate it. You need a thick lather, and hot pliable whiskers. Shaving after a shower is best for that reason. I use a hockey puck of glycerine soap in a mug. It looks like the shavette uses disposable razors, so it’s not like your blade is dull. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202/3 "2011-06-29T12:56:28Z")
Go over to Badger & Blade- there are a lot of straight razor users over there who can give you lots of tips. I don’t know enough about straights to really say… if you had a double-edged razor, I’m your man though. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202/4 "2011-06-29T13:16:02Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > **You’re pressing too hard.** Cheap disposable razors (and the Mach3) make it really easy to act like you’re raking leaves on a fall day, and it’s a hard habit to break. > > What kind of soap and brush do you have? Get rid of the canned stuff, it sucks and I hate it. You need a thick lather, and hot pliable whiskers. Shaving after a shower is best for that reason. I use a hockey puck of glycerine soap in a mug. It looks like the shavette uses disposable razors, so it’s not like your blade is dull. I think you are right. I’m trying to press lightly, but I think years of using safety razors is going to be hard to over come. As to lathering, I have oil, which I put on first and then a shaving cream that is mentholated. That’s after I either shower or apply hot hand towels to my face. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-shaving-with-a-straight-razor/587202/5 "2011-06-30T08:24:55Z")
I have a 1955 Gillette Fat Boy I shave with, and that thing will rape my face if I press too hard. One of these days I’ll get a real straight razor, with leather strop and sharpening stones. [badgerandblade.com](http://badgerandblade.com) is a wealth of information for shaving old-skool style.