First Shave, Grabby

So, did my first SR shave today. Since I have a beard, I started with my cheeks. Two passes... one WTG, and one XTG.

The good news is... I got just as good a shave my first time with a SR as I do when I shave with my usual DE. And while I found grip a little awkward, I didnt give myself any nicks, nor cuts, etc...

But the blade was very grabby like it was dull. I dont believe that is the case since I bought it (a Ralf Aust) from Lynn, so it must be my technique.

I tried from 30 to 10 degrees, but got the same result.

So, what am I doing wrong?

Also found that I cant wear my glasses when I do my checks as the blade is too long! Arrrg. Maybe a Dubl Duck Dwarf is in order. :D

Thanks!

I found that switching from a soap to a cream made a huge difference. Also, using conditioner (normal hair conditioner) on your face helps if the hair is a little longer. I've found this cream to improve my shaves immensely:

Attachment 177898

Stropping your razor a few laps before shaving always helps. I would order one of those cheap 30X loupe's from ebay with the lights. Cost you around five dollars. This will give you an idea of what a properly honed razor edge looks like before you touch it with a strop. I'm also learning and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me.

Having a visual reference will really help as you begin to strop, touch-up, and hone your own razors. .

Also making your lather with a thinner consistency (more water) will help with your S.R. shaving.

Watch some you tube videos and learn to stretch you skin into a flat surface. Really helps with achieving a smooth S.R. shave.

Happy Shaving

The first thing that comes to mind is stretching. This is so much more critical when using a SR. Just as you mention that the grip is awkward - so is the stretching pattern.
It just takes time, practice and checking out the library of vids.

The second is stropping. Your RA from Lynn would have showed up perfect - the norm is to just rinse and go for your first shave with a Pro-Honed razor. Like the rest of "all things Straight razor" it's a time and practice thing.

Smooth shaving...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

I found that switching from a soap to a cream made a huge difference. Also, using conditioner (normal hair conditioner) on your face helps if the hair is a little longer. I've found this cream to improve my shaves immensely:

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I almost always use cream, these days. And ironically, I was using T&H 1805. I havnt tried the Ultimate Comfort type... perhaps I need to check that stuff out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by feltspanky

Stropping your razor a few laps before shaving always helps. I would order one of those cheap 30X loupe's from ebay with the lights. Cost you around five dollars. This will give you an idea of what a properly honed razor edge looks like before you touch it with a strop. I'm also learning and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me.

Having a visual reference will really help as you begin to strop, touch-up, and hone your own razors. .

Also making your lather with a thinner consistency (more water) will help with your S.R. shaving.

Watch some you tube videos and learn to stretch you skin into a flat surface. Really helps with achieving a smooth S.R. shave.

Happy Shaving

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For my DE shaves, I usually have a fairly thick lather... so maybe that is a contributing factor? More water next time!

I didnt stop it before use since it was newly honed from Lynn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJC

The first thing that comes to mind is stretching. This is so much more critical when using a SR. Just as you mention that the grip is awkward - so is the stretching pattern.
It just takes time, practice and checking out the library of vids.

The second is stropping. Your RA from Lynn would have showed up perfect - the norm is to just rinse and go for your first shave with a Pro-Honed razor. Like the rest of "all things Straight razor" it's a time and practice thing.

Smooth shaving...

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Yeah, I never use my free hand when shaving with the DE to stretch... I just contort my face as needed. :D

But for this shave with the SR, I did use my hand to stretch. Perhaps its easier said then done, and I need more practice with that as well. :)

Thanks, Gents!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aldwyn

For my DE shaves, I usually have a fairly thick lather... so maybe that is a contributing factor? More water next time!
Thanks, Gents!

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If by thick lather you mean pasty then it is likely too dry and might be part of your problem. Yea, play with the water a bit.

Bob

The sharpness of the edge and the softness of the hairs are related to avoiding tugging and skin irritation as well as closeness of the shave. Well hydrated hairs will compensate to a limited extent for an edge that is starting to fade. Shower, shampoo, conditioner, and keeping the hairs wet with thinner lather may help.

Stropping skills are king because a shave ready straight must be stropped well before every shave to keep shave ready.

Learning to stretch skin and stroke from the most effective direction for difficult spots is important for closeness.

I think you need to do a better job stretching the skin. That should solve your problem

I used to really work on building a mug of lather up so that it looked like wet whipped cream (or the shaving foam that comes from a can) and then luxuriously slathering my face with it.

I've converted, with much better shaving success, to face lathering with a cream, where the consistency I look for is a coat of glistening white slime that is only 1/8 inch deep. I do that after I drench my face and wash it with a non-drying soap (Dove at the moment) using my fingers to rub that in and around well, then rinsing well and doing the same with a shaving cream. I've been using Proaraso Blue from a tube lately, but DR Harris and TOBS have also worked for me (as has Arko stick). I also add a few drops of glycerin to the brush tips when I start. All that seems to get me much slicker and closer shaves, and doesn't takes as long as whipping up a scuttle full of lather. YMMV.

Enjoy!

Well you said it. "First shave" count it as a success , it takes time to get your technique down , a lot of factors come into play , the prep , lather angles , stretching ,, keep at it and find the way the works best for you and don't expect to much right out the gate , time will make it all better. Tc

@BobH... THIS. I've actually started making my lather much wetter than early on. I find that it will dry on my face or in the bowl, so I've been really keeping it wet and it helps big time.

Wow... what a difference more water makes!

Shave #2 today brought a much easier 2 pass cheek-only shave. While I had some troubles getting my beard line straight (I ended up fixing it with the DE), things went much much better. Perhaps that will also get better with one of the two shorties I have coming to me!

Thanks for the help, guys. As long as I am seeing progress, its all good!

Oh, and as a side note... stropping isnt as easy as it looks. :D

This happened to me when I first started shaving. My problem stropping. Have a nice lubricating cream instead of an easily drying soap helps a little too. (amongst lots of other things of course like skin stretching, angle, pressure etc.) Keep it up!