First Str8 Edge Razor Shave... Ouch!!!

The basic "beginner's kit" (Dovo Basic Straight Edge, 4-Sided Paddle Strop, Mug, Soap, and Stryptic pencil), from Tony Williams arrived last night.

So this morning I tried at my first straight edge shave.

I had ordered the two shaving videos (Lynn's and John's), but they hadn't arrived yet, and I just couldn't wait. I did check out Lynn's video on u-tube, however so wasn't flying totally blind... but... perhaps I should have waited...

Followed the various postings about "pre-shave prep.

I laid everything (razor, strop, etc... out on a counter under some paper towels...

Also, for safety's sake, I stropped the razor before the shower, folded it up and put it aside for safety.

I don't know whether or not I helped the razor or hurt it stropping...'cause I felt clumsy and scared all the time...but I was careful....

Lot's of hot water...showering first soaking face and head for over 4 minutes in hot shower. I also headshave with a HeadBlade... so I shave my head first.

This gave my face beard even more time under hot water to soften.

I've been using a pre-shave treatment of baby oil, KOS Alpha Oil, and The HeadBlade Headslick shave.

Soaked the brush in hot water, whipped up a nice hot thick lather...

The instructions that came with the kit said to start with the cheeks and then complete the shave with regular Mach 3.

I shave my cheeks and it was really scary and strange.... but it went ok....

Then I got over confident, and tried to shave the area around my mouth and chin....I should have quit while I was ahead...

Faster than you can say "nick", I nicked myself four times...

Luckily they were tiny nicks and the styptic pencil stopped the bleeding...so I continued my shave with my Mach 3...

This is gonna take a lot of time and practice...

And I have to totally take my time and not rush...

As far as the learning curve goes, I should only go as far as I feel confident and comfortable...

Slow and very careful... that straight edge is sharp!

I still need help and guidance with both the shaving and the stropping... I think I did it right, but i really need some hands on training...

Is anyone in the NYC Tri-State area available for a few "lessons"?????

all the best,

Tony

Tony,

I work downtown Manhattan. Are you in the city? Maybe we could meet at lunchtime and I can share what I know with you.

Rich

Tony,
I'd suggest you take Rich up on his offer, but I can assure you it will take more than a lunch hour (or four) for him to teach you what he's learned. My only other advise is to ignore anything he tries to tell you about shaving commando!
Cheers,
Ed

And refuse any invitations to shaving demonstrations :eek:

And check out what razor he is going to use, you think that's a fake avatar, that's his portrait.:roflmao

Man it's a good thing I have thick skin:roflmao .

And yes shaving commando is the only way to shave....:y