Thread: Finally - First Straight Razor Shave (by myself)

Well, I finally did it!

My DOVO 300-580 was waiting for me when I came home. It had taken a little detour to Medina, OH (The Honemeister) from Classic Shaving to me. I couldn't wait to try it out, but I did wait until an hour ago.

I brought out my new Illinois 306 strop and did my 30 X-strokes. (The X part is easy, remembering to roll on the spine, and not lift up, is not.) I did put a very small nick in the strop.

Next, the hot towel and soap pre-treatment. Re-lather and here we go.....

I was getting some drag, so I maybe I need more pre-shave beard softening. I only shaved in one direction (down), so I know that I wasn't going to get the BBS shave. I was a little disappointed that the shave wasn't a little closer.

Since there was no blood, I thought that I would do it again. Pre-treat with hot towel and soap. Re-strop. Shave again in the same direction (down). Again, not as close as I expected.

The sound of the razor on my beard sounded like sandpaper, and I felt a little drag. Either my beard needs a little more pre-treatment, or I distroyed the edge that the honemeister put on my razor with my bad stropping. Maybe my strop needs to be treated, I don't know.

Anyway, NO BLOOD!!!!

I didn't cut my head off. I didn't bang my razor against anything. I didn't gash my strop to pieces (I can barely see the nick, as it lays down when I go over it).

I will have to try again tomorrow morning after my shower to see if that will help.

I guess that I am 'legal' now.


pete_bogg

Well done, Pete. Watch that stropping and you should see rapid improvements. You also shouldn't need to restrop between passes. Try it without and see how it goes for you.

X

Good job, Pete!

You know what they say.. any shave that doesn't need the emergency room...

As regards stropping, something I'm finding helpful is to keep a very light touch. I had thought I was doing that already and then tried to go even lighter. Basically I just lay the blade flat on the strop and that's it. Also, keep your strokes on the strop slow and steady, focus on the form and speed will develop naturally. Stropping is the second most important thing (right after good shaving technique). It'll take time but persistence and patience will pay off.

Same goes on the face, keep a light touch. The drag might be too much resistance from too much pressure of the blade on your face, though since you didn't cut yourself, I might be wrong.

Steve

Pete,

Sounds good but you won't get that BBS until you go against the grain on the 2nd pass. I get a nice shave with one pass with the grain but for the super smmooth shave you need a 2nd pass against the grain.

Way to go Pete, Just imagine 30 days from now how your face will feel. After a couple of weeks you'll change direction of the blade, Second pass, Horizontal or against the grain and you eill have a BBS.

I didn't feel like shaving this morning, so I can't tell you how that worked out.

I still wonder if the new illinois strop needs to be dressed, or roughed up, or whatever.

pete_bogg