Thread: Second Shave...WOW

What a difference! Not sure what happened really as I changed almost everything. If you all remember my first attempt was so horrible I blamed the razor for not being properly honed.. not so sure now. But it breaks down like this: first attempt.. little research, jumped in, cold shave, lack luster lather, weird angles, pressed too hard, murdered my face. Second try: Lots of reading, questions, watching vids, stropped the razor carefully, followed gssixgun's vid.. hot towel, hot lather,hot towel again, hot lather, very light touch (imaging that) pull skin tight.. hey! I shaved! I cant believe it.. it was like a different razor. How can it seem so dull one time and sharp the next? granted it wasn't a perfect shave but compared to the first it was night and day.. Only one mishap when I was using left hand, came in too hot and had the razor pointed straight at my face(duh) got a nice cut but other than that I did pretty well. One thing I would like to mention for new guys is you really just barely have to hold the blade to your face.. I think we are so used to being aggressive with a cartridge razor it just comes natural but you have to be very light with the SR. I dont see what kept me from cutting my face off the first time. Now I'm just wishing my beard would hurry and grow out so I can shave again

It is amazing what a difference a day makes. Pressure on my face was a confounding issue when I first picked up a Straight razor also. Give some room for error, and more room for success, and you'll have perfect shaves for the rest of your life. Good going Lion! All the best -John

And then one day 15 minutes after shaving you will notice your face actually feels good. You know you made the right choice. :<0)

Yeah it really is more about technique than equipment, even though that is important, too. I am also a newbie, with a few more shaves than you but also a couple of weeks with a shavette before my entry into the straight world. No matter how good a razor is, you can make it shave bad. A truly awful razor maybe can't shave, but a mediocre one can, if you do your part, and a sweet razor can give an awesome shave if you really concentrate on doing it right. Reminds me of something my Dad and his buddy always say, "It ain't the bow, it's the Indian." LOL!

Excellent news, keep doing what you are doing for now, then when you are comfortable start removing and or changing things in your routine. You may find some stuff unnecessary etc as time goes on. Even a different soap can change the shave for better or worse.

Good for you!

A sharp razor can feel dull mainly if you use too much pressure, or the wrong angle or not enough beard prep.

Congrats. Now keep it light, slow and steady and you should keep making progress.

Congrats on having the Epiphany after a good shave. I think you are right on course with your observations especially the weight issue if you come directly from being a life long cart razor shaver. The main points for me to get right for a good shave is a sharp razor, a very good lather and proper technique with the razor.

Bob

Oddly enough, I didn't have a pressure issue when I first started using a straight since I hadn't shaved for years before picking up a shavette. But, as time went on I noticed myself adding more pressure to the blade and have had to train myself to back off or suffer razor burn. I chalk it up to at first being overly cautious enough to keep such a light pressure and as I grew more confident not paying as much attention. Now, I can get awesome shaves and am back to the very light pressure again.

The trick in this sport/hobby/way of life is to constantly observe your habits in the beginning and systematically change one variable at a time until they all just click and you get that perfect shave.

From the sound of it, you're doing just that.

Well done and congratulations!

Thanks for all the help and support guys! This is a great site full of great people, glad I stumbled across it.
Looking forward to shave #3 already!