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Thread: First shave didn't go so well
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11-07-2013, 02:53 AM #1
Sorry to hear you had a rough first shave. But fear not! We all have at some point or other had frustrating shaves, and it generally gets better.
As eddy79 said, with a properly shave-ready razor (more on that below), proper beard preparation, and proper technique, very, very little pressure will be required. So something somewhere has gone a little haywire for you.
Where did you purchase your razor? The sad fact of the matter is that one person's razor advertised as "shave-ready" is not necessarily the same as another person's. If it was received truly shave-ready, there should have been no need to strop it before use. In fact people are generally discouraged from stropping a truly shave-ready razor upon receipt from a reputable vendor/honer. The reasons are twofold:
1) if it's advertised as shave-ready it should be just that: ready to shave
2) it is very easy to damage an edge while stropping, particularly when one is new to all this. Stropping it before use can skew what you understand as shave-ready.
As noted, there are other reasons why a shave can go sideways, so it may not be the razor itself. And if it was received from a reputable vendor/honer and not stropped prior to use, the solution probably lies elsewhere, i.e. technique or prep. eddy79 was also right in saying that more info re your equipment and technique should help us help you.
Good luck with shave #2!
EDIT: you beat me to it Pixel!
It was in original condition, faded red, well-worn, but nice.
This was and still is my favorite combination; beautiful, original, and worn.
-Neil Young
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11-07-2013, 03:04 AM #2
+1 on where the "shave ready" blade came from. Many claim shave ready, but are lacking.
I choose death before dishonorI'd rather die than live down on my knees
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11-07-2013, 03:20 AM #3
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
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- Searcy, Ar.
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- 12
Thanked: 0Got the razor from whippeddog, got the silver tip brush and bald frog soap from him as well. I'm happy with the purchase and don't really mind having to do some fine tuning. I'm pretty confident with my stropping (stropped alot of knives) and was able to get a decent edge on it easily. I tried the hair test and it pops the hair in two near the heel and kinda shaves it to a taper near the toe. Not the greatest edge but I was able to get a closer cut the second time around, with alot less pressure ( I tried again after my original post). I think I'll rest my face a day or two and maybe try the balsa and compound followed up with a good stropping. I don't have any stones fine enough for a razor but I'll need to remedy that pretty soon. I'm sure my technique needs polishing and will most likely help the most. Good thing I have a pretty tough face, LOL, I'm gonna need it.
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11-07-2013, 03:23 AM #4
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- Jan 2011
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- Roseville,Kali
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- 10,432
Thanked: 2027Might be you got you what paid for.
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11-07-2013, 03:39 AM #5
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- Nov 2013
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- Searcy, Ar.
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Thanked: 0
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11-07-2013, 04:02 AM #6
Your first shave sounds like many beginner's first shave, regardless who honed the razor. If you don't believe me, do a quick search and you'll find similar threads involving other well known vendors on this site and "shave ready" razors vs. uncomfortable first shaves. Learning To shave with a straight razor takes time and patience, it's not like you'll instantly get the best shaves of your life once you switch to a straight. Keep at and you will get there, we were all in your shoes at one time.
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11-07-2013, 04:37 AM #7
Although I have no first hand experience with Larry's edges there are quite a few members who do.
From what I can garner his edges are quite good?
Be patient, watch your technique and see how the next few shaves go.It is just Whisker Whacking
Relax and Enjoy!
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11-07-2013, 04:40 AM #8
- Join Date
- Oct 2010
- Location
- Perth, West Oz
- Posts
- 47
Thanked: 2I never had any problem with my razor from whippeddog that wasn't operator error.
Rearden has summarised it very well.
I would steer clear of hitting the compounds on balsa at this stage personally, you will just be taking the edge futher away from what was delivered without an awful lot of experience to guide you on where you are taking it.
Good luck and keep at it RandyDavid
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11-07-2013, 04:42 AM #9
- Join Date
- Sep 2013
- Location
- North West of Australia
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- 105
Thanked: 9I got my first shave ready from Larry at Whipped Dog, it was a sight unseen but a great shaver unstropped. Did you find the soap doesn't wash off the blade easily? This one caused me problems with the blade needing pressure to cut hairs. I added more water to the brush gradually as shown in one of Lynn's videos, doing this instead of adding water to the bowl/mug made a huge difference to me. Also dont cut the stubble off, wipe the lather off instead. So simple and a lot smoother/better shave.
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11-07-2013, 05:15 AM #10
I have a razor from Larry and it was definitely shave ready. Sounds like technique is a factor. Angle, pressure, face prep, lather?? A lot of variables to learn. It took a couple months before I was getting what I considered a smooth, irritation free shave on my entire face. Stropping the razor may be different than a knife. I have no experience with knives, just make sure it lays flat and you don't roll the edge. I wish you luck and success.
I choose death before dishonorI'd rather die than live down on my knees