Thread: First Shave Tomorrow - Could anyone check my plan?

Hi all,

I finally have my whole shaving kit together, and plan to have a try tomorrow. Here's exactly what I plan to do:

1) Clean oil off razor by carefully wiping it on some tissue (pulling the razor in a direction parallel to the blade to avoid slicing the tissue)

2) Strop razor, as in Lynn's DVD (or not? It arrived shave-ready from The Classic Edge)

3) Clean face, lather and shave a small portion of my face around my right sideburn, as in Lynn's DVD

4) Finish shave with Mach3

5) Rinse the blade of the straight razor, once dry wipe the blade with TufCloth and put it away (or strop it again before oiling and putting it away?)

Any feedback or comments would be great

Here are some thoughts:

1) use the tissue to "wipe" the oil off the majority of the blade; then use a very light stropping motion with the tissue in the palm of your hand to remove oil from the razor edge

2)I would not strop the razor before using it the first time; The Classic Edge has a very good reputation for delivering truly shave ready razors- you'll want to know what this feels like before potentially dulling the edge a little with your first shave and early stropping technique

3) good plan

4) also good

5) be sure to rinse the lather off the SR blade before finishing up with the Mach 3; you may even want to use your finger to make sure that it's clean (to prevent lather burn/water marks), then dry it real quick with a tissue (then finish with Mach 3). Regarding razor maintenance, here's what I do: rinse blade thoroughly, wipe with dry cloth, then dry thoroughly with tissue (including running the tissue between the scales, even though I don't get the scales wet during the shave, just in case), then I let the razor sit out while I'm getting ready before finally stropping it (20 linen, 40 leather- really just to make sure the edge is completely dry) and putting it away (I will oil it if I don't plan on using that one for a few days, but some guys apply oil after every shave- YMMV)

I've only seen parts of the DVD that are online, but I know that he also has a clip about razor maintenance. If it isn't on the DVD, you could do a search at the top of the screen to find it. Good luck with the first shave!

+1 on not stropping. This way you know what a shave ready sharp razor feels like so it takes the guesswork out of your consecutive shaves of whether or not its sharp enough, you dulled it stropping, its faulty e.t.c.

For me that was a big one as the uncertainty after making a mistake stropping "is it still sharp enough to shave"? Drives you crazy without a comparison. Have fun tomorrow sounds like your going about it the right way.

One little bit of advice. The most dangerous moment is when you first bring the blade to your face. Allowing it to rest on the skin is not good since it will want to sink in to your well hydrated face. And you may be a bit nervous on your first go with it. To avoid cutting yourself by mistake, pull the blade slightly backward (as in the stropping motion) as you bring it in contact with your skin for the first time. The blade won't be able to engage until you change direction. Watch your blade angle (two spine widths from your face) and make short, light strokes. And congrats on taking Lynns advice on doing a side burn or two on your first attempt. Its the smart move. Its what I did and it makes good sense. Enjoy!

I got a new razor from Classic Edge a few weeks ago that was shave ready. It did not need any stropping. Resist the temptation to strop. I stood there for a few minutes contemplating stropping just because I wanted to see what it was like. That and my obsessive compulsive tendencies are drawn toward the repetition and pattern of stropping. It actually calms me down. Anyway, stropping won't be necessary. Do the sideburns and quit while you are ahead. If you do okay you will start to get confident and want to do more. You are going to spend lots of you time trying to figure out how to stretch the skin over the next few sessions. This will make the process take a long time. Soon stretching will become natural and you will do it with less thought. Only go for WTG for a while. You will need to shave more often and it will give you more practice.

I also received my first kit from Classic Edge and have purchased there several more times - great place and Phil's blades are superb.

So, just clean the oil off with a tissue and shave. You should be able to shave 2 or 3 times before you have to strop.

When stropping, pay attention to the fundamentals - follow the stropping instructions, and go slowly to learn how to properly roll the blade on it's spine as you change directions. If you do this correctly, you won't nick your strop or potentially roll your edge.

But yes, make sure the blade and scales are completely dry!

Don't forget to stretch you skin as shown, makes shaving a lot easier!

Good luck!

The only other thing I would add is the first time you nick yourself clean the SR up put it away. Use your other razor to finish up with and try again in the morning. It is strange how the sight of blood out of the corner if your eye will distract you and cause another.

Only thing I would add is lay the strop on a hard surface for the first few times till you have the roll right. Its one less variable that could lead to poor shaves. This vid is a great example of stropping technique.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ing-video.html

Also don't think your sideburn stroke has to be perfect and square, its a great way to nick your earl lobe while unfamiliar with the blade. Just do the easy strokes and concentrate on your angle. My smoothest newb shaves came after reading here to wipe the lather off with the blade, not scrape the hairs. It works wonders. That and if your getting frustrated because its not the best shave, stop. Maybe shave your neck with a cartridge then go back to it with a calm hand.

The only thing I can say is "Take your time!!!" dont rush to shave the whole face...dont rush when you shave just the side burns....just dont rush, this is a life long trip you will get there. And IMHO one that can be enjoyable. But if you go and hack yourself up (like I did) then you may never find that enjoyment, that one that is talked about here. OH YA! try not to hit the Scotch to much before hand that has a tendency to draw blood too. LOL! Enjoy.
Rich