Thread: A few questions

Hi all,

Just had a few questions I wanted to ask that I can't seem to find the answers too.

1. How long should it take for your face to get used to using a straight razor. Can some irritation be expected in the first few shaves? I am still new and know my technique and lathering still need work.

2. After each stroke I have been rinsing the blade under water and then try to careful dry it on a towel before going back to my face. Is this the proper way?

3. When stropping should I hear any sound? I keep reading about a high pitch sound but not sure if that's what I am getting or if it is a normal sound.

Any advice on these topics would be greatly appreciated.

Aaron

1. Sorry to sound flip, but its going to take as long as it takes you to stop tearing it up, newbie techniques and questionable edges...because eventually newbies trash their blade but continue to try to use it. Yes, you probably should expect to get a decent burn at least once along with the normal nick and pinches...hopefully no cuts.

2. No let it fill up with lather. Most folks do not rinse their blade but "strop" the lather off on a towel, damp washrag or sponge. There is a good chance of seriously damaging your blade swirling it in the sink by hitting the sink or faucet!

3.Yes, you should hear a sound. A "scratching" sound is normal for most razors.

Hey Aaron,

Below are some quick answers to your questions. I figure that others will chime in with more advice.

1. It depends on your skin type. Based on my experience, I'd say that your skin gets used to it in about 3 weeks, with 3-4 shaves per week. Some irritation will occur during the first few shaves, since shaving with a straight razor is a new experience that requires practice.

2. How you clean the razor during shaving is up to you. Many people have different methods. I like to rinse the razor under running water during my shave. I don't dry the razor until I'm all done shaving. I'd say that you can skip the drying part while shaving.

3. You should hear a sound while stropping. I've never heard of a high pitch sound while stropping, but you should hear the razor edge sliding along the strop during your strokes. Stropping is another challenge on its own and takes practice, but you'll get it.

I'd recommend watching videos of stropping and shaving techniques, so you can get an idea of what to look for. SRP has a lot of info on the subjects in it's Wiki section too.

Enjoy the shaves!

The irritation if your blade is properly honed is more from technique, yes you are exfoliating but it should not be that drastic.

Lighten up on the pressure and use the shallowest angle that cuts effectively.

I wipe my razor on the top of my forearm on my non dominant hand, I rinse once post shave.

Look through the stroptober thread, some great videos and many with good sound quality.

Lastly if you can, see if an experienced member is near you,
I promise an hour or three with someone experienced will help more than anything else to get you solidly under way.

Lots of info above,is mostley tinture of time,you have hand eye corordantion (SP) to learn you have angles to learn,you have muscle memory to learn,will take 6 mos.

Aaron! We need more info. What razor, Honing, Strop? What soap/creme. Prep? Tell us what you are doing. Some pics will help!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Aaron! We need more info. What razor, Honing, Strop? What soap/creme. Prep? Tell us what you are doing. Some pics will help!

Razor is a Dovo 6/8 best quality. I ordered it as a set from SRD. Set also included SRD strop, SRD unscented soap, and a Simpson Beaufort b4 pure badger brush. That's what I have been using up till yesterday. I just recieved an omega 637 silver tip badger brush and TOBS Sandlewood shave cream which is what I used last night. Lather was better, but still a bit dry (I think) cuz it left residue on the blade when I rinsed it under water between sections of face.

As for prep, I usually soak brush in warm water while I shower. If I don't shower I soak it while stropping and wash face with olive oil soap before lathering. I like face lathering, but Simpson brush with soap would irritate face so I tried bowl lathering, not a fan. New brush and cream felt better but brush has a big loft, 56 mm, so little less control.

Originally Posted by Newfie816

Razor is a Dovo 6/8 best quality. I ordered it as a set from SRD. Set also included SRD strop, SRD unscented soap, and a Simpson Beaufort b4 pure badger brush. That's what I have been using up till yesterday. I just recieved an omega 637 silver tip badger brush and TOBS Sandlewood shave cream which is what I used last night. Lather was better, but still a bit dry (I think) cuz it left residue on the blade when I rinsed it under water between sections of face.

As for prep, I usually soak brush in warm water while I shower. If I don't shower I soak it while stropping and wash face with olive oil soap before lathering. I like face lathering, but Simpson brush with soap would irritate face so I tried bowl lathering, not a fan. New brush and cream felt better but brush has a big loft, 56 mm, so little less control.

I'd ditch the olive oil soap olive oil can kill shaving lather. Get a glycerine based soap this will add to the glide. Proraso do one especially made for a pre shave wash.
It will take a little time for your face to adjust to SR shaving make a conscious effort to back off on the pressure, when you're new there's a tendency to apply to much pressure which increases the risk of irritation.

A lot of the irritation will go away once you get some consistency with your blade angle (it's probably too much and needs to be shallower). Also, as you get more efficient, you'll be cutting more beard with less passes over the same patch of skin. Pull the skin on your face tight so that the hairs stand up as best as you can. After a few shaves it will start feeling better.

Good luck and happy shaves!

Steve has good advise. Also, Where is it written to soak a brush? You wind up with a floppy mop which will not work well!
Just dip the tips of the brush and make lather. Add water a bit at a time to the lather until the consistency is right. Use the brush to work the lather into the beard, against and with the grain. Surround all the hairs. You cannot do this with a wet, floppy mop!
Lay a handtowel sopping with hot water on the face and over the lather. Softens the hairs. Repeat! Lather up and shave. A brush should be loaded with lather, not water! If the lather dries prematurely, dip the tips of the brush in hot water and go at it again. Rejuvenate that lather on the face. Give it a try!