Thread: My disastrous first shave.

Thanks again Kev Dont worry , I dont know how to multiple quote yet either (or even what that means lol). Im trying to be a part of this community and hope im not breaking any rules by posting where I shouldn't etc, its hard with so much info and so many posts here, to know if posting a new thread is ok or if there is already a thread going.

Im looking forward to the learning curve actually. All part of the fun in my opinion. Took me over 100 shoe shines, different products and techniques to get the art down perfectly, I reckon I can put a shine on a boot now as good as any soldier.

My Aunt is a professor of micro-biology at QUT, and has access to an electron microscope. Once I get the Ralph Aust professionally sharpend by SRD, I may see if I can take it in for a scan, would like to see how close / magnified I can see the finished edge. If I do , I will be sure to post pics. Will do the same with the sight-unseen razor from Larry, just for comparison, however not expecting the cheap blade to compare, but who knows. I really dont know what to expect from Larry, but you all give good feedback, so I trust he will do the right thing by me and I will get something half decent for the price.

Thanks (again) Ed. Andrew

Although I luckily did not cut myself, my first shave experience (3 days ago) was quite rough too. I couldn't get the lather correct and regardless of how I held the blade it felt like cutting sand paper. After cutting maybe 5 hairs, I switched to my throw away. This at least showed me the lather was the issue. Even with my safety razor the hair tugged.

Trying to find someone near Middletown ny for some lessons

Don't let the view in the electron microscope images scare you off, bring an unused DE blade along for comparison. There are some pictures on this site somewhere of scanned edges and they look amazingly rough (so do DE's). It would be great fun to have access to one of those for an afternoon!!

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

My Aunt is a professor of micro-biology at QUT, and has access to an electron microscope. Once I get the Ralph Aust professionally sharpend by SRD, I may see if I can take it in for a scan, would like to see how close / magnified I can see the finished edge. If I do , I will be sure to post pics. Will do the same with the sight-unseen razor from Larry, just for comparison, however not expecting the cheap blade to compare, but who knows. I really dont know what to expect from Larry, but you all give good feedback, so I trust he will do the right thing by me and I will get something half decent for the price.

It sounds like you had a pretty tough time for your first shave but I kinda know what you mean. I never gave myself an er grade cut ( not yet anyways ) the first time I used my Straight shavette, but looking at my face when I was done you would have thought I had just had a knife fight with Jim Bowie! Looking at me after that first shave was not a pleasant experience for the first few days, haha. Stick with it and youl get there, Im new to Straights aswell but I wouldn't go back to a normal razor now.