Thread: A few questions after my first shave

So i had my first shave with a straight earlier this week. Not the most comfortable shave but not terrible; certainly not the closest shave but hey, it was my first time and that was to be expected. I was left with 2 questions:

1) Lathering up: I am using an unscented puck soap from SRD and I'm not sure the best way to go about building a lather. The kit i bought came with a mug as well but i'm not sure if i was just supposed to build the lather in the soap jar or if i should put some soap on the brush (by swirling it in the soap jar) and then swirl it in the mug? I tried both ways but i couldn't get a very frothy lather going. (I tried keeping it to just the tip of the brush as per some advice i read on here). Any suggestions? Are my frothy expectations too high?

2) Shaving pressure: I've read over and over that i should try to use as little pressure on the blade as possible, so that's what i did. The question is this: by "pressure" is that strictly the downward pressure i use? or does that apply to the pressure of holding the blade close to my face as well? I ask because my shave was not smooth at all (i had to go over it with my cartridge to be presentable at work). should i be pressing it closer to my face?


Looking forward to round 2 with the straight tonight. Any help is appreciated.

Answering # 1 is fairly easy,,,I practiced with a puck in a Pyrex jar many times watching TV or whatever when not shaving, it's cheap depending on the brand. Water control was key, a brush with a little backbone. I would soak the brush in hot water for a minute or two, some hot water on the puck, then play with making lather to the consistency that you want. Some brands are much better than others as far as thick rich lather.

To me pressure is the edge touching the face,,,,light pressure with a sharp razor,,,I didn't get a smooth shave for over a month or more,,,don't rush it,,,,,

+1 to what hirlau said about the lather. Build lather in mug and not on top of soap although both will work it is easier to control the water-soap ratio by building in separate mug.

Pressure is referring to the pressure against the face and not lateral to face. You want to just skim the surface of your face and clip the hairs just at the surface. As you stretch the skin It will stand the hairs up to get a closer shave.

It does take some time to accomplish a smooth shave but with the pressure under control you will have less/no irritation and this will give you more attempts to learn. Also, if you have little to no irritation you will be able to do a WTG, XTG, and ATG which will help with a close shave. Again, take your time with the whole thing and enjoy the journey.

I agree with the above post. The biggest thing to remember is to take your time and enjoy the smallest of acomplishments you make with this new art you startng. Thats why I started shaving with a straight. It seems every thing in the world at a very fast pace, and that we seldom to take the time to enjoy life. So when you are shaving pamper yourself and enjoy it.

Sounds like your approaching the whole thing right. You will notice more as you go. Which way your beard grows, how much pressure is too much (as it will leave your skin feeling raw). Just watch what your doing and be patient. We are all assuming your razor is shave ready and your stropping doesn't ruin the edge. So much to learn but, you got plenty of time :<0)

One note, if you have to use a lot of pressure cutting through the hair, the blade probably is not shave ready. It should cut the hair easily. What kind of razor are you using, and where did you get it from?

If I understand your pressure question correctly, then the fact that you are making the distinction between the two directions means you're doing great. You want not much more than the weight of the razor holding it against your face, but enough to move it confidently across your face. Not fast, just steady. Too little pressure across your face and the razor can "stick and skip" it's way along . ( which will make you crazy)

i like face lathering and I like Arko