Did my first shave with straight razor

**MAG515** · 07-28-2013, 02:20 AM

Ok, I did my first shave with my new straight razor. It was a little rough but I did it...just one side of my face then I used a regular 5 bladed shaver to finish it off. Shaving cream began to dry on my face making it difficult to shave...taking too long I suppose. Any suggestions on the till I get a little better at it. The blade seemed to be sort of grabbing the hairs making it kind of skip across my face or the whiskers not sure if you know what I mean by that, but I assume that's because the shaving cream was drying up on my face.

**feeltheburn** · 07-28-2013, 02:36 AM

Congrats on the first attempt.

If the cream/soap starts to dry on me, I just wet the tips of my brush and freshen the lather up with that. If that doesn't seem to work too well, you can just get your hands wet and rub them on your face - don't try to get all the lather off or anything just get your face good and wet. Then reapply more lather.

I know exactly what you mean on the skipping. Take it slow and once you get the feel for it, that'll get better.

**SirStropalot** · 07-28-2013, 03:06 AM

Hey MAG,

Started to ask what kind of razor, where did it come from, etc.. But I went to your earlier posts, a few, and you said you got it off the internet and sent it to SRD to be honed. If that's the razor you used for the shave, it should be plenty sharp. Did you strop it before your first shave? I ask because its very common for new str8 shavers to do that, I did. Not good usually because you don't know if the shave suffered from bad stropping or poor technique or both. Not picking on you, we all start off lacking in those areas.

On the lather, freshen it as needed. You'll get faster with time and it won't be a problem.

This video should help you with prep, and technique with the razor. It's about the shave test, but Glen touches on several aspects of the shave.

Regards,

Howard

What is "The Shave Test" for a Straight Razor - YouTube

**MAG515** · 07-28-2013, 03:23 AM

I know your not picking me about the stropping, its going to be a little rough with that in the beginning seeming how I'm new to this. but yes I did strop it and I also took a nick out of my strop by accident. its not too bad of a cut just a really small one. Also the razor that I did send in I haven't gotten back yet I don't expect to get that one for another week or so. The one that I used is new and I got it from SRD so it does come already professionally sharpened. By the way thanks for the video I'll have to review it later.

**MAG515** · 07-28-2013, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by feeltheburn

Congrats on the first attempt.

If the cream/soap starts to dry on me, I just wet the tips of my brush and freshen the lather up with that. If that doesn't seem to work too well, you can just get your hands wet and rub them on your face - don't try to get all the lather off or anything just get your face good and wet. Then reapply more lather.

I know exactly what you mean on the skipping. Take it slow and once you get the feel for it, that'll get better.

Thanks for the tip I'll try that on my next shave.

**SirStropalot** · 07-28-2013, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by MAG515

I know your not picking me about the stropping, its going to be a little rough with that in the beginning seeming how I'm new to this. but yes I did strop it and I also took a nick out of my strop by accident. its not too bad of a cut just a really small one. Also the razor that I did send in I haven't gotten back yet I don't expect to get that one for another week or so. The one that I used is new and I got it from SRD so it does come already professionally sharpened. By the way thanks for the video I'll have to review it later.

Here's one more that might help. On the strop, flat and light. Go slow at first, speed will come. Nicks are common in the beginning. They usually occur from flipping a little to early.

When your other razor comes back from SRD, don't strop it or anything else. Just carefully wipe the oil off being very careful of the edge. They're much more delicate than you might think. The razor will have been stropped already. Use it as is and you'll know what a good edge should feel like.

Howard

**MAG515** · 07-28-2013, 03:38 AM

Cool thanks for your help.

**that0neguyxx** · 08-02-2013, 01:31 AM

Hey I remember all those years and tears ago at the skipping feeling you describe. I just have two suggestions: Try adjusting your angle and try pulling your skin taught with different strokes.

**Attila** · 08-02-2013, 08:01 PM

If you are getting tugging from a sharp razor, it can only be your angle. It should not be more than about 1 spine widths away from your face. Basically keep the spine as close as you can to your face in the beginning and still cut hair. Also watch your pressure, you should not have to force the razor it should be cutting effortlessly.

I myself managed to dull my razors when I first started by using poor angle and bad stropping (I also took some nicks out of my strop). Watch as many videos as you can on stropping and practice your technique with a bread knife to start on your strop. Don't try to go fast, speed will come in time once you get better at it.

Don't worry, with practice it will get better and you will be experiencing some fantastic shaves. The thing is, with straight razors you have to be very patient. Much more so than even DE shaving.

Good luck and keep us posted.

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