Two Weeks In, Thoughts and Questions

Past few days I have been getting more nicks and small cuts. Realized I was using too much pressure as I was getting used to holding a blade to my face. Today lighter pressure and a great shave (from an inexperienced viewpoint) and no nicks at all.

I am getting my cheeks BBS most of the time but I am still going over everything with a cartridge when I finish. My wife has really noticed the difference in smoothness.

Still having issues with the center of my chin, guess I just need to practice more and am happy with my progress. Any suggestions for that area?

Today was the first time I have gotten some lather and water into the pin area. After I was done I rinsed it with hot tap water and dried it off as good as possible and let it air dry and then applied some lubricant to the area. Is everyone paranoid about getting that area wet or will it happen at times and just need to rinse and dry it well?

Received my second razor today a Dovo Bismark 6/8. Didn't realize that the top of the spine was all gold when I ordered it (that did not really show up well in SRD's photo) but I will get used to it and it looks and feels very nice. First shave with it will be tomorrow.

I really like the Baume.BE that I have been using and also like a warm brush to the face. Do most of you put the brush into your skuttle with a little warm/hot water imbetween latherings to keep the brush warm? How do you keep your brush warm or do you? I've tried Luke warm shaving but I do like it hot.

I did also purchase a modular paddle strop and will be trying the felt and diamond spray shortly. Really like the feel of the Premium I leather that comes with that. Much less draw than the 3" Latigo strop that came with my original kit.

Alright I've typed enough, last day of vacation and back to work tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Cool, and you're having fun!

86 the cartridges and make more passes.
The cartridges can be a crutch. You'll get more practice.

My Dovo Bismark came shave ready an couldn't cut a ripe banana. Try your cheeks and see if it feels right. If it doesn't abort and go to your other razor. SRD razors should come ready to use. My Dovo came from another site. So, trust your face.

I let my brush bloom in hot water, face lather, set the brush standing up, then cold water shave.
If I get water in the swivel and pin area I blow dry the blade on high heat to help dissipate the moisture.

Does sound like the problem could be pressure, and the chin always is tough depending on hair growth direction.

I always pull a tissue through the scales after I'm all done to make sure they're dry, but sooner or later they all get wet some. You just have to do the best you can and then leave them open in a dry room somewhere safe afterwards for several hours. I leave them about 12.

When I use a scuttle I fill the bottom with hot water and keep the lathered brush in the top to keep warm, but usually I face lather and just use the scuttle to rest the brush in. Cold in some months/like warm in others. Depends on the weather.

Don't go to the diamond spray until you need to, IMO. When you do the modular paddle strop makes it easy. Great tool; good decision! I have the Premium 1 leather, the English Bridle and Roo for it. Each is different.

Welcome! Gently does it. Ditch the DE and go with WTG and ATG. Feel around for any rough or missed areas, then try XTG over those. Don't worry about BBS. It'll come in time. Just enjoy yourself. Do what feels right for you.

Used my new Dovo Bismark 6/8 today and really liked it. I like the extra heft that it has due most probably to the weight of the ebony scales.

Due to Wayne394's response I attempted to only use my straight today but had to touch up a small area on the center right of my neck that has always caused me problems, have always had to go sideways-up-down etc. to get that cut right.

I did attempt an upwards stroke on my neck was kind of "sticking" so I stopped, need more practice before I attempt that.

Stil, all in all, I'm very happy with my progress and love every part of the straight razor world. Today's shave, since I was trying not to use the cartridge afterwards took the better part of an hour. Still very much enjoyed the time spent.

Back to work in a few hours but need my old man nap first.

There are some spots that are still tough for me a year later. On either side of my chin there are recessed areas that take a downward scything stroke to get at decently, and my best results have been with a razor that has a smile to it. You might have to play around with your angle of attack and find something that works on the hard to reach spots, but it sounds like you're headed in the right direction. As you get better at it I'm sure the time it takes will drop dramatically as well. My average shave is around 20 minutes these days, 10-15 if I'm just doing a single pass to get "clean enough." Which is still a closer shave than I ever got with a disposable razor.

Of course I also skip the hot lather steps days. My shave routine is: Strop razor, build lather in bowl, splash face with cold water, apply cold lather, shave. Re-lather and shave again if necessary. Cold shaving eliminates the razor burn, since my skin seems to be particularly sensitive. Might be worth a try, if you're still feeling a little burn. But I will say that I enjoy a warm shave much more, at least until I put the after shave on and my cheeks light up like I just poured lighter fluid on them and set myself alight.

You can also try the alcohol free shave balms that helped me get rid of my razor burn issues

I guess I have one of theses faces that aren't challenging.

An hour of self indulgence! You'll get faster!

Couple of things to look for if your getting irritation or razor burn. Focus on angle 25 to 30 deg you should be cutting whiskers nicely if that is not happening you will find yourself inclining the blade until it starts cutting and that's the problem you begin scraping. Hair is coming off yes but at the expense of your skin also make sure lather is good thick and protecting not soupy washy stuff. less than optimal blade sharpness is evil it makes you compromise your technique and causes all sorts of bad things to happen in a shave like too much pressure , cutting yourself and so on because your forcing the blade to do what it cant in that state. you mentioned that your ATG pass was sticking it really shouldn't. I am sure you will get great at straight shaving with practice and enthusiasm just try remove all other variables outside of your technique before questioning yourself. Sharpness, Beard prep and lather then its all you. I hope you have a lot of fun.