Thread: 3 solid days growth too much for a beginner??

Had a rough second shave. I have issues making lather. I don't think my 1st time stropping was all that good. 3 days solid growth.

My first shave was much better with poorer lather, then went to oil, then back to poor lather for a third pass, followed by Thayer's supermedicated.

Leave alone the lather, and all my other issues(except stropping, I'd imagine), is 3 days growth a bit too much time to go between straights? I'd say 3 day growth for me is some serious grit sandpaper.

I'm thinking I need to add glycerine.

What say you?

ps-I'm looking forward to improvement on all fronts

Three passes on the second shave ? Lynn advises dipping your foot in the water before you dive in, see the beginner's guide, "The first straight razor shave", here. If you feel like you're picking it up that quick go for it, but you might have less troublesome shaves if you do the sideburn, cheeks and get the rest with a DE or twin blade. Kind of ease into it. We get to practice every day, or every second or third day, and that ain't much really. A two day growth shaves easier for me than one day. I don't ever get three days of growth.

3 passes worked the 1st time so so... not much burn at all.

I might sit tomorrow out and wait for a 2nd day, but I feel like stropping everyday will help. Certainly did with technique the second day.

Thanks for the advice

ps-I haven't cut myself ;P

Originally Posted by Siguy

Had a rough second shave. I have issues making lather. I don't think my 1st time stropping was all that good. 3 days solid growth.

My first shave was much better with poorer lather, then went to oil, then back to poor lather for a third pass, followed by Thayer's supermedicated.

Leave alone the lather, and all my other issues(except stropping, I'd imagine), is 3 days growth a bit too much time to go between straights? I'd say 3 day growth for me is some serious grit sandpaper.

I'm thinking I need to add glycerine.

What say you?

ps-I'm looking forward to improvement on all fronts

I'm a newbie myself, but I did notice my shaves have improved a lot once I added glycerine into the mix. On an wtg pass, my razor just glides down my face. So smoothly in fact, that when I wipe my blade on my sponge, I check the lather for whiskers!

3 days growth would add an extra pass IMO to bbs. I shave everyday maybe every 2 once a month or so. I do a 2 pass with a little touchup'for a daily and don't do a wtg. But as jimmyhad said take your time,unless it comes easy.

Originally Posted by billyc4362

So smoothly in fact, that when I wipe my blade on my sponge, I check the lather for whiskers!

That's what I'm talkin' about.

Add a small amount of glycerin, not too much. I use a mix of soap, cream and glycerin, look up uberlather it'll tell you all about it.
With regards to growth I would give it a try, but if it isn't working then stop and reassess.

amen Ed. 5 drops is usual recommendation. Take you time with the lather until you get peaks like with frosting. Whip it add water and go again. Go until smooth. Good luck.

I've never had the number of days of growth affect the results of my shave if the razor is sharp. I have more bad results from poor angles while shaving. I always have to remind myself to keep my angles low regardless of how tough my beard is at the time.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

I've never had the number of days of growth affect the results of my shave if the razor is sharp. I have more bad results from poor angles while shaving. I always have to remind myself to keep my angles low regardless of how tough my beard is at the time.

I would tend to agree with Brenngun, days of growth never made the shave harder for me either although now I never let it go more than 2 but I do notice if I try to shave every day it is actually harder. Probably because the face needs a rest I imagine.