Thread: a little piece of advice from shaving masters

Thanks everyone!
Well, now I just have to make up my mind on which one of the 2 razors I want to go with. I'll report back after taking a decision and after my first shave!

FINALLY!
Just ordered the "le dandy" TI beginner set from the Classic Edge!
Can't hardly wait!

Originally Posted by LeNoun

FINALLY!
Just ordered the "le dandy" TI beginner set from the Classic Edge!
Can't hardly wait!

If that's the TI beginners set from the Classic Edge here in Ontario you will be very pleased. I started with the Dovo starter set, they didn't have the TI starter set then. It's a great set, everything you need to get started, it will come shave ready, so don't strop it when it arrives, do your first shave, starting with just the sideburn area, if you get that area done without a problem, do what I did LOL, I just kept going and did a whole shave.

Let us know how it went and congrats!

Originally Posted by Phrank

If that's the TI beginners set from the Classic Edge here in Ontario you will be very pleased. I started with the Dovo starter set, they didn't have the TI starter set then. It's a great set, everything you need to get started, it will come shave ready, so don't strop it when it arrives, do your first shave, starting with just the sideburn area, if you get that area done without a problem, do what I did LOL, I just kept going and did a whole shave.

Let us know how it went and congrats!

Yes! It is from that place! Can't wait! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

In the long run it's not how it looks but how it shaves. My best razor, a plain looking, no name, average size razor[s]...

This is true for me as well. Two of my best have a total age of about 150-years, don't look like showpieces and cost, combined. $27. Two of my most costly don't shave better than the once-rusty pair of flea market finds. The razor that gets the sharpest the easiest and stays that way the longest is the one many of us like best; some come with no name, others with the name worn off from years of handling/mishandling, others are new and others still are custom made.

One way to keep your new razor sharp is, IMO, practice stropping with a butterknife or plastic knife until you have a lght hand and sure flip. Practice may keep your strop from being prematurely shredded, too.

Best of fun on your new shaving style. I know you are going to be happy with the two razoors you bought!

So stoked!
Got my beginner kit from classic edge on Monday.
Got my first shaved today!
2 passes under the jaw line (like I mentioned earlier, I have a beard)
Pulled a little at first so I tried to make the gesture lighter and minimize the angle of the blade which definitely help (I was nonetheless cutting through heavy hair since I haven't shaved for I think about 4/5 days).
Second pass was waaaaay smoother.

A few things:
Shaving with your left hand when your right handed is scary! But I kept at it. Didn't cheat!
Contour is not as easy as it is with a regular razor but I'm sure it will come with time.
This is so much fun! I'm looking forward to my next shave (which I couldn't care less before).
I need to work on my lather... it kept drying out so fast! And I couldn't get a lot of it in the bowl like I see others do on video.
Don't think I put too much water since I don't have a bubbly result. So not sure of what I'm doing wrong?
Did over 20 pass after shaving on the leather strop making sure to only put the weight of the blade as only pressure. Didn't make much noise so I'm not sure if I put enough pressure but I'm just too scared of rolling the edge!
1 drop of oil on each side that I spread over the blade with a folded TP and voila!

Over all, even if the contour isn't perfect, I'm pretty excited to get out of it without any cuts or nicks.
Yes I had a sensation of pull but I don't think it comes from the blade but more from a poor shaving technique (too steep of an angle, left hand being hesitant, etc...), crappy lather and 4 days long hair.

Also loved the tip that a lot of shaving veterans here give to noob like me:" peace and quiet'"!
No music. Nobody in the house: I was able to hear the blade cut through the hair and I think that the noise + sensation helps tremendously on your first shave!

Thanks again all for your help!

Now I'm going to head to the lather section and try to figure out what I'm doing wrong (I'm using proraso shaving soap btw)
Also need to find different ideas of grips as I'm not sure the one I use is the most efficient under the jaw line...

Cheers!

Sounds like an awesome shave out of the gate. Great work!
I used Proraso Green soap this morning. I get my best results face lathering it. Either way, You can always dip the tip of your brush in water, and work it a little more on your face if it is drying on you. For me the key to a good lather is over loading the brush to start out.
Enjoy your shaves.

Good for you Lenoun! That is a great first experience and from the adjustments you made, it sounds like some of your research and reading paid off. Lather can be tricky, but one solution is to lather just a section at a time or to re-lather over sections as they dry out. Lathering also is trial and error and improves with time.

Second shaving went even better!
At least as close of a shave as the regular razor plastic cartridge if not even better.
Lather GREATLY improved. Have to use the brush like you use the blade: Just the weight of it when building the lather is enough. No need for extra pressure!
Left hand shaving is way less hesitant.
Control of the contour of the beard under the jaw is way better. Still need to be careful where the toe and the heel of the edge are.
A LOT LESS pull since it was only 3 days long hair and I tried to put a lot less pressure and keep the angle close.

On the second pass I actually had to THINK about not being over confident as I've read that it is how you get cut, so that kept me in check! Haha!

Loving this wet shaving thing so far!

Sounds like you're making great progress. Keep it up!