Thread: "Shave ready" and ready to shave

Hey everyone. I have the same story as most beginners on here: too much anticipation, too little patience and a knife too dull to do anything but scrape my face clear of any skin that happened to exist around my whiskers.

I got myself a DE almost exactly one year ago, and I thought it time to step it up. So I bought a straight (of Swedish make, called C.V. Heljestrand - Excellence). I called the store and specifically asked if I had to do anything at all before shaving with it. They reassured me that it would be plenty sharp and ready to go at delivery! But oh, how wrong they were.

I used it a couple of days ago, and I felt pretty much fine during and after the shave. It wasn't a close and comfortable shave as such, but it was alright. Yesterday I tried shaving with my DE though, and my face felt like it came off. So now I'm waiting for a sharper knife and for my face to heal before I go at it again. But I can't wait!

I've bought a new razor from Lynn to have a benchmark, and also sent my Heljseatrand to what I hope is a true honemeister.

Here's a picture of my face after the much too dull knife and my much too inexperienced hands worked their way over it. I think it's bad of the shop though, to promise the knife to be shave ready.

Until next time.

Good heavens, Bergstedt, your face looks like a battleground. Not to worry, though; consider it a lesson learned.

This is what I would do: First see a dermatologist. After that, study the treasure of information provided here for beginners, and ask questions. Then start shaving, slowly and carefully, and have patience.

Wow... that is horrible looking! You didn't feel like something was "wrong" after that first pass during the shave?

Ouch! and double ouch!! I agree with Obie, see a dermatologist and rad the wikis. I would go even one step further if you feel you have sensitive skin. Try a lukewarm or cold water shave. Those have been know to alleviate a number of problems.

and before I forget again, edit your bio to show where you are at. There are Mentors all over the place that are more than wiling to work with you to get you to where you are having successful shaves. Plus a hell of a lot of other information that a one-on-one bunch of sessions can give.

Yikes!! Sounds like you are on the right track now... And, seeing as how your face is testament to your tenacity and tolerance then I think you'll be progressing along fine once your proper gear arrives!

Nobody is going to accuse you of dipping your toe in the water... You go all the way!

Better shaves are on the horizon... Hang in there!

Shawn
-----

Welcome to SRP! Looks like you were a few days late finding us.

You might want to try some of that sunburn stuff with lidocaine and aloe in it. It will dull the pain and itch, and help you heal up.
Or at least some water based witch hazel.

It definitely gets better from here.

Just remember, when you get the razor from Lyn, do not strop, wipe the oil off and use it as it is.

Good luck with the shave.

My question would be... did you strop the Heljestrand after your first shave or even before your second. I don't think that it is a matter of the razor being shave ready seeing that your first shave went smoothly but a matter of not prepping the razor for the second shave. You didn't mention anything about stropping so this is what I am drawing my conclusion from. You were being a little over optimistic by doing your whole face right out of the gate. Check the Wiki and Library for first time shaving tips.

Originally Posted by Obie

Good heavens, Bergstedt, your face looks like a battleground. Not to worry, though; consider it a lesson learned.

This is what I would do: First see a dermatologist. After that, study the treasure of information provided here for beginners, and ask questions. Then start shaving, slowly and carefully, and have patience.

Ok, thanks. I have definitely learned a lesson!

I have started reading all the beginner threads and watching videos etc., and I have also realized that I did almost everything wrong.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

Wow... that is horrible looking! You didn't feel like something was "wrong" after that first pass during the shave?

The beard felt tougher than usual, but it didn't hurt and it didn't bleed during or after the straight shave. A couple of days later I felt my mistake though when it was time to shave again. I did one pass WTG and then had a go with the alum block, and it was a very unpleasant experience. But now I do at least have a benchmark for how it's not supposed to be!

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Ouch! and double ouch!! I agree with Obie, see a dermatologist and rad the wikis. I would go even one step further if you feel you have sensitive skin. Try a lukewarm or cold water shave. Those have been know to alleviate a number of problems.

and before I forget again, edit your bio to show where you are at. There are Mentors all over the place that are more than wiling to work with you to get you to where you are having successful shaves. Plus a hell of a lot of other information that a one-on-one bunch of sessions can give.

Thanks. I have a question about the cold/luke warm shaves: am I supposed to shower warm before and then rinse the face and lather with cold water? Or cold water all the way?

That's also a great tip. I hope there's someone close to Stockholm, Sweden!

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Welcome to SRP! Looks like you were a few days late finding us.

You might want to try some of that sunburn stuff with lidocaine and aloe in it. It will dull the pain and itch, and help you heal up.
Or at least some water based witch hazel.

It definitely gets better from here.

Haha, yes. Unfortunately.

I'll look it up!

Originally Posted by Crackers

Just remember, when you get the razor from Lyn, do not strop, wipe the oil off and use it as it is.

Good luck with the shave.

Ok, that's good to know. Thanks.

Wow, just wow.

After rereading your post a few times, how come you didn't stop when half your face was bleeding (just a guess based on the picture)? I have no idea how your felt fine after that shave but raw with the DE later. You are definitely a bigger man than I am to have finished that straight shave.

From my own experience, it looks like the razor just pulled the hairs out. No cutting whatsoever. The razor from SRD will actually shave you but you should still expect to feel raw. The raw feeling is from poor technique. The bleeding was from the dull edge.

I think you need to get a milder DE razor to use while learning the straights. This way you can still shave while your skin continues to heal between straight shaves. It took me 6-7 straight shaves to finally not get that raw feeling.

From reading the forums many times, you will learn not to trust the term 'shave ready' from unknown sellers. You should always test it first before taking it to your face.