Beginners Progress or Not So Much

I see many newcomers post here when they start to wet shave. They post many questions, which is awesome because that's how we all learned, and get helpful answers.

My idea in this thread is to have the new guys come back and post the advances they have made in shaving , any problem areas that they may need help in tackling or even new questions that have arisen since

they started out and never saw coming. Maybe if you are one that has had little or no success this would be a good way for us to help you get on course. Let's hear it!

Most of the shaving/honing problems i've yet to conquer end in "AD". :banghead::gaah::shrug: whaddayah gone doo?

"AD" is part of the fun that keeps us all coming back here.:roflmao

I'm about two weeks shy of the one year mark since I began shaving with a straight. Of all the challenges I've faced during the learning curve, I would say that building a good lather is what I've struggled with the most. Angle, pressure, general technique, stropping and honing (at least the razors I own, anyway) have been easy in comparison to building a good lather (not to say that they each haven't had their challenges).

You know what method I've found to be 100% effective, absotively, posolutely (wait, scratch that... reverse it) foolproof?

Do you?


Do you really wanna know?


Huh? :)



PRACTICE, PRACTICE, EXPERIMENTATION AND MORE PRACTICE!!

Seriously, if you shave every other day, practice on your days off. Give yourself an extra 15 mins. each day if you shave every day. Try adding more water, less water, soaking the puck, using a boar brush, using a badger brush, etc.

In short, go nuts! eventually, you'll figure out the secret to each type of soap you own eventually (though, I gotta admit, I'm still trying to crack Williams).

Just throwin' in my $.02...

Great idea for a thread! I've made a lot of progress due to the helpful brethren of the forum.

I struggled at first confusing whisker resistance with 'pulling' so I questioned if I was doing something wrong or if the blade wasn't sharp enough, especially as I used it 5 or 6 times. I started with an SRD razor so I knew that it started sharp but after a few shaves it would dull so my baseline was skewed. Plus, when I tried to touch it up with Chromium Oxide my stropping technique wasn't the best so it wasn't very effective. It has taken me many weeks to discover when a razor needs to be touched up with CO and when I'll need to touch it up with the hone.

I guess to sum up it took a while to start reducing variables enough to know what the right solution was to each of the problems that came up when I started. Pressure, sharpness, blade angle, beard prep, beard type, razor width and type, etc. all play a role in the quality of the shave and it just takes practice to figure out what your baselines are. Then you can start to tweak things to see how it affects your shave. Patience and practice are the keys.

That was kind of rambling but I think it captured my experience.

Just short of a year here, and some of the things I have learned:
As a beginner, it is extremely easy to kill the perfect edge that Lynn gave you -- whether bad stropping, technique, or other "sin".
It is not difficult to use stones to regain the edge, but then again it is equally as easy to destroy your blade.
After a while, your blood vessels will cower at the sight of your blade. At that point, you will notice that you bleed less, if at all after a shave.
You will suffer some type of acquisition disorder -- whether it be soap, blades or bay rum. Be prepared for it.
And, as stated above, Practice, Practice, and then Practice some more.

One thing I still have to grasp is how to shave my fu#%*ng chin :banghead: It is getting better though.

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Originally Posted by BDRebel

One thing I still have to grasp is how to shave my chin :banghead: It is getting better though.

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This was a funny one that hit a nerve for me. When I started with straights I grew a goatee so as not to deal with the chin..LOL I kept it and still have it after all this time. I guess that was my solution back then.

As for building a good lather, many things enter into the equation on this one. Soaps vary and you have to tweak your lather building sometimes between one soap and another. Then there is the issue of what the water is like by where you are. I notice the difference when i go on vacation to other parts. The good news is that once you get it down, nothing can stop you. I would think one of the biggest factors is the amount of water we add when building a lather.

6 months in ,I agree with the practice, and the thing that has helped me the most is reading every kind of scenario on these pages that pertain to my problems. Also having someone to talk to directly. For this I thank glen,, mostly I've learned that to take your time and have fun with it Tc

Be patient...Be calm...

That's what I've picked up over the years. If I go to rush or distractions with wife, daughter or dogs...an equation for disaster...

I've been SR shaving for less than a month! I am loving the new adventure! I too cannot get over/around my chin very well. As of last night's shave I've decided to grow the goat back (thx coachmike and BDrebel... Glad to see I'm not the only one)!

I need to read more on what constitutes the perfect lather. Prolly YouTube might show some good videos as "reading" sometimes doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to abstract tactile examples.

I started with a Dovo Best 5/8" that I had professionally honed by an SRP member/vendor. I used that until last night! I received my new Revisor Gold 5/8"!

I've also ordered a vintage Frederick Reynolds that I'll prolly be sending out to glen to bring up to shaving standards.

At the rate I'm going, I don't think I'll need to learn to strop or hone!!! :idea:

But seriously, I love all the help, guidance and tools I find here on SRP.

I've been trying to find a mentor in the Denver area. No such luck thus far. The folks I've send personal msgs to haven't replied back... :shrug:

I'll keep coming back as I've found that SRP is not only a place focused on the SR but also other interests of mine (things that go BANG :jedi:).

I've got a couple cheap SRs that I'm learning to hone and strop with.

What I've learned about the SR experience is that it's NOT for everyone. It is for this DIY'er. I also understand why shaving other places (think ladies armpits and legs) didn't really get much traction until the early 20th century! Thanks Sir Gillette! I have a DE I use when I don't have time for a SR shave. That keeps me PRACTICING my prep and lather.

Thanks for the thread. I'll check back later for more pearls!

~mc (<-- not one for brevity). :p

i've found that even after i have watched videos on the subject if i go back and watch them again I still pick up things i've forgotten.
As for the chin i think i've figured it out: i don't try and take it all in one pass but take several light passes to help slowly reduce it until it's gone (think of cutting the grass and lowering the mower a little each pass.) the under side is a little more difficult though since the whiskers seem to lay flat against the skin.

Anyone else ever read a Forum thread and run into the bathroom and break out the brush and razor?

I'm now progressing into leaning XTG and ATG strokes. For me, using the opposite hand (right hand used to shave the left side, etc.) works best. I don't want to start learning a technique that's not favored however!

~mc

I'm at about the 9 month mark and have 5 straight razors in rotation (Can you spell R-A-D?). I also have 2 DE. I save with the SRs about half the time and the DE the other half, but always do similar prep. Like others, my chin is still a work in progress with my SRs, but has been fine with a DE. One thing I have done to save sanity, money and face is to avoid honing myself. I figure once I feel comfortable with everything else, I'll try honing, after I read a million more pages, watch thousands more videos and hopefully find a mentor in my area. In the meantime, I'll be sending the straights out to Lynn, Glenn or someone else experienced.

As to progress, it was a while before I got really comfortable with stropping, although now I have have a routine that works with a SRD paddle strop. I strop before and after shaving (10 linen/40 smooth leather before and 7/25-30 after). I also have experimented with a bunch of soaps and creams and have narrowed down to a handful of favorites for my SR shaves...the DE is more forgiving of weaker lather. I've found the key is enough water and time to really build a lather, then refresh it as I go along.

Lastly, I take care of my stuff and face. I clean up everything well and dry the razors, then let them air dry, before putting them in my box, which is air-tight and has dehumidifying silica packets in it (as used in gun safes). My brush, I shake out and hang bristles down, and my creams I always re-seal. Most soaps I let dry out.

I think the key for me has been taking my time and constantly learning from the folks on this forum and the rest of the site, and from experimenting with technique. I also only change one thing at a time, so, if for instance, I get a less than great shave with a soap and razor, I change out the soap/cream but use the same razor for the next shave.

The great news is that I get a better shave with a straight than I do with a DE, so I know I'm making progress. Next I'll master the chin (or grow a goatee).

Thanks to all experienced folks, and especially to the founders of SRP.

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Originally Posted by DamnStraight

Anyone else ever read a Forum thread and run into the bathroom and break out the brush and razor?

I'm now progressing into leaning XTG and ATG strokes. For me, using the opposite hand (right hand used to shave the left side, etc.) works best. I don't want to start learning a technique that's not favored however!

~mc

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If you can get it to work it is the right technique for you, i shave left handed only as i am useless with my right hand.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

If you can get it to work it is the right technique for you, i shave left handed only as i am useless with my right hand.

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LOL I have the same problem and shave right handed only.

To the guys worried about the honing part, you have the right idea about sending your razors out to one of the pros. Use the razor they send back to you as a benchmark to measure it against another razor you hone. I believe the biggest problem with new guys honing is you are either scared of trying it out or you think you can do what it took others many razors to master on your first blade. Both are bad. Lose your fear on a cheap razor that you are not afraid to trash till you get comfortable. Though honing is NOT rocket science, it is a skill that needs practice to master even slightly. Like stropping, it needs to develop muscle memory. Don't get me wrong , practice won't turn us into Lynn or Glen right away, but you should be able to hone NORMAL razors to shave ready. Why do I say NORMAL razors? Well , there are plenty of razors with uneven bevels, lots of hone wear, frowns, smiles, etc. where you will need much more knowledge to crack.

As for the guys that think they can do this over night because they normally master other things quickly or because they sharpen knives, well lets just say we'll be hear to help you when you get past your pride...LOL

We are not here to judge anyone, we are just here to make sure we promote this GREAT art and hopefully get you to enjoy it as much as we do. Then and only then will you help pass this on to someone else.

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Originally Posted by crouton976

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, EXPERIMENTATION AND MORE PRACTICE!!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Formel1

Be patient...Be calm...If I go to rush or distractions with wife, daughter or dogs...an equation for disaster...

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On top of the above, always be humble enough to stop and contemplate why its not working when its not working. Go back to the basics when in doubt. Also, don't be afraid to try new things.

Caveat to trying new things: Try each new thing one at a time. Too many ingredients makes it difficult to identify where things went wrong.

That's just a few. To fully chronicle all I've learned so far in this short period of time would require a Blog post and a Moderator title(for all the editing and such). ;)

I'm still new here, but the one thing that really helped me was to take an old antique store cheapy razor (less than $10) and sand it down dull enough so it would be safe for a three year old to play with (no sharpness at all). Use that practicing the motions and grip for shaving with your off hand. Really helps to get the motion down and become comfortable with it.

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Originally Posted by coachmike

As for the guys that think they can do this over night because they normally master other things quickly or because they sharpen knives, well lets just say we'll be hear to help you when you get past your pride...LOL

We are not here to judge anyone, we are just here to make sure we promote this GREAT art and hopefully get you to enjoy it as much as we do. Then and only then will you help pass this on to someone else.

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That's me. I learn quick. I've (nearly) mastered almost everything I've jumped into. Take note: I said "nearly" "almost"... Somethings just weren't "up my alley" so to speak.

When I was contemplating trying out the SR, I first got a DE (probably already mentioned that) and waaaaited for my Dovo to arrive. Then... I had to send it out and waaait some more! I then opened up the wallet and got a few "essentials" (suggested to me by my (thus far) mentor who was so excited for me and understood the direction I wanted to head).

After about 5 shaves with the Dovo, I was sure the Dovo isn't the end all of razors which led me to a slightly more expensive Revisor. I needed to compare. I'm still in that process. I'll have another SR to throw into the mix soon enough.

I think I'll watch a few more videos and head out to the garage and destroy a $10 Golden Dollar (I bought two for such), as you (coachmike) and probably EVERYBODY else humbly suggests before I start in on $100-$225 razors. :banghead: If I can get a GD to shave my arm, I'll be feeling alright about my progression over the next couple of months. Slow and judiciously. <- I've never said that before! :angel:

~mc

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Originally Posted by coachmike

LOL I have the same problem and shave right handed only.

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We could form a 3 arm shaving team, a bit like a 3 legged race team, but with razors.

Im coming up on my one year now... When in a rush I use one of my girlfriends grandpas DE's she gave me or when in a really big hurry I use a *gasp* electric trimmer to just make things look not so ugly :) One of the biggest things I have begun to realize is that I have been using way too much pressure on my passes. When I really focus on making a pass with just the pressure of the blade it makes things so much smoother and there is no burn after the fact. Newbies should definitely focus on this because there is a tendency to grip that razor like the devil when you start out because you are so afraid of slicing your face open! :)

Overall, it has been a very fun and enjoyable experience. I really have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoy the reactions I get from people when they find out I use a SR. Just so great.