Thread: First Straight Shave - Mr. Shaky Hands needs help!

I will soon look forward my first straight shave. I have been using a DE and wet shaving for the past 4+ months and consistently get BBS from DE's now

I believe the time is right to go the str8.

Equipment - (Good to go. Thanks to this forum)
I have will soon a used str8 (shave ready) soon. I have purchased a Dovo Strop. Got creams, brush, etc.

My expectations are not very high from the first shave. I think there might be a steeper learning curve when going from str8 to DE.

If you guys can advice on the following

1. What would be my blade angle?

2. How many passes? normally with DE i do (WTG, XTG, ATG = BBS)

3. Type of strokes (short, long,)

4. How should the blade feel when cutting.

5. Any other tips for Mr Shaky Hands would be nice

Originally Posted by Amyn

1. What would be my blade angle?

About 30º up from your skin. Sometimes a little less is good.

Originally Posted by Amyn

2. How many passes? normally with DE i do (WTG, XTG, ATG = BBS)

Same thing.

Originally Posted by Amyn

3. Type of strokes (short, long,)

Short is recommended, especially for the n00b.

Originally Posted by Amyn

4. How should the blade feel when cutting.

Like a hot knife through butter.

Originally Posted by Amyn

5. Any other tips for Mr Shaky Hands would be nice

Don't drink coffee before you shave and keep breathing nice and regular. That and lead the stroke with the tip slightly ahead of the heel of the blade. this slight sawing action or Cutting Angle as we call it will help you get a smooth, effortless shave. The rest you should know already.

X

Originally Posted by Amyn

I will soon look forward my first straight shave. I have been using a DE and wet shaving for the past 4+ months and consistently get BBS from DE's now

I believe the time is right to go the str8.

Equipment - (Good to go. Thanks to this forum)
I have will soon a used str8 (shave ready) soon. I have purchased a Dovo Strop. Got creams, brush, etc.

My expectations are not very high from the first shave. I think there might be a steeper learning curve when going from str8 to DE.

If you guys can advice on the following

1. What would be my blade angle?

2. How many passes? normally with DE i do (WTG, XTG, ATG = BBS)

3. Type of strokes (short, long,)

4. How should the blade feel when cutting.

5. Any other tips for Mr Shaky Hands would be nice

Hi Amyn,

First, do you have shakey hands?

1. Most people try for a 30 degree angle, at least initially. This is the angle made between the skin and the blade;

2. Depends, but I'd try a single with the grain (WTG) pass first time, and maybe only on the easier areas (cheeks);

3. Here I'd say go with what feels safe and comfortable - an inch or so, maybe. Not too long, but not microscopically short either. Just remember that you should stretch the skin behind the razor, and any skin stretching benefit decays with distance, so don't make the strokes too long;

4. My first experience with a straight felt a lot like scraping my face (not pulling). It's different, so you should be prepared for that. The hair shouldn't pull - if it does the razor's not sharp enough. Try not to let the blade bounce, but don't use too much pressure either;

5. Make sure your beard prep. is good. Keep an eye on both the tip and the heel on your face. If you know where they are, the middle part of the blade takes care of itself. Some people use both left and right hands when shaving - if using your off hand feels a bit out of control, it's better to be safe and just use one hand.

There's a lot more info on these forums -read, read, read! And good luck and welcome on board!

James.

I'd add the following items.

1. Lock the door so you aren't interrupted.
2. Think about what you're doing. Not work. Not your commute, sex, etc...
3. Don't be afraid of the blade. You may cut yourself, and it's normal when you're starting. I'm a n00b and have cut myself 5 times. It's almost always because I wasn't paying enough attention. At some point, you'll simply feel the blade, and know what not to do. I wish I could explain it better than that. Another way to put it is, it won't feel alien in your hand, but more an extension. And, as you progress, your style will improve.
4. I read allot of posts on here about proper technique, but most went in one ear and out the other until they had application for me. One of them is the 'scything' motion you may hear about. The other is the flat angle on the ATG pass. At first, you're just trying to get a decent shave and not to cut yourself. You aren't working on finesse. But, it will come, so keep at it. So, ignore them until you see the utility of what you've read and focus on the here and now. Eventually you can work in the fancy finesse stuff.

Good luck - John

PS Watch out, the most dangerous thing here is the addiction.

Watch the shaving video here in the group. Don't try to shave the whole face the first time. Take it an area at a time until you start to feel comfortable. Start with the area below the sideburn down to the jaw for a couple days, then move over to the check, then the other side of the face, then the neck, then cross grain and then up from the neck and what ever angles you learn on the way.

Have fun.

Lynn

All good advice here.

I'll add the importance of good stropping technique - it's key to getting a good straight shave. Take it slow, pull that strop taut enough that it doesn't sag much in the middle when the blade passes over, and don't let the cutting edge touch the strop unless the spine is already against the strop. Roll the blade over on it's spine when turning it over to reverse direction. Don't bear down on it, just use light pressure. You'll learn how your razor feels and sounds on the strop when it's right.

Leading with the toe of the blade, or sometimes the heel depending on your hold and how you're approaching the grain, can often shave a little cleaner and easier. Same principle as a Merkur slant bar razor.

You might want to practice with a couple popsicle sticks to get comfortable with hand positions and strokes.

Don't move your face or stretch your skin while holding the blade too close to it when in preparation for a stroke. Make your strokes short, light, and sure.

You'll probably need to pull your skin a little tighter than you're used to doing with a DE since there won't be a guide bar helping to do that for you. You'll be able to see exactly what you're doing without that thing in the way though.

When the right preparation, blade, and technique all come together it can feel like you're just wiping the whiskers off. Your face will feel so good after a straight shave done right that you'll be hooked like the rest of us.

I think for someone like yourself Lynn's advice is the best. All the other stuff you will pick up as time goes on but at first just take it slow. The only thing I would add is keep the razor moving on your face do not stop mid stroke with the razor on your face. That would be a guaranteed cut.

Welcome,

The guys have given you all the info you need to get started so I won't go over that again however,

With your hand shake I have the same problem (mine is more of a tremble). I have found that I can shave fine as the tremble goes away when I have a hold on the razor and the blade on my face.

The only trouble I encounter is when I try to hone one handed as shown in Lynn's video, I have to use both hands to stop the tremble and as such I don't have as lite a stroke as I'd wish so I send mine out most of the time and play with others.

Hope this helps

Dazza

Originally Posted by Namdnas

1. Lock the door so you aren't interrupted.

Let me say this is the MOST important of all the tips. I have two nice scars for the two times I didn't.... Especially if you shave commando!!!

Thank you everyone for the all your help. There are so many good folks around here who are willing to help. I plan to heed all your advice.

I will be throughly reviewing all the material on this forum as I take the plunge. This is going to be a great experience!!