Thread: no longer a virgin to staright razor shaving

Congrats on getting started. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

I remember my first SR shave in the late 80's as if it was yesterday. I dove in and did the whole shave with a DOVO I bought in a little hardware store. It wasn't shave ready, which I didn't know anything about then. I did the whole thing in one pass and shaved over my face in different directions without relathering. It cut me up pretty bad the first five times or so. Precious blood to gain me experience. After that and probably due to wrong stropping I guess it was really dulled and some weeks later I quit.

With what I know now I would start just like you did: Take my time and make sure the razor is sharp.

Better shaves,
OldSalt

Hi path,

When shaving with the grain (direction of hair growth) about 30 degrees is a good blade angle. (Going shallower can result in partially-cut, "shredded" whiskers. But like the other fellows said, don't press down on the razor; just let the razor touch your skin with a feather-light touch.

When shaving against the direction of growth, then it is a good idea to keep the angle quite low - about a spine width or even less. Otherwise, the razor will pull and tug at the whiskers. Keeping the blade angle low going across or against the grain will result in a smooth glide through the whiskers.

The main idea at all times is to keep the angle of the blade aiming to cut as straight across the shafts of the whiskers as possible.

To repeat, remember to always keep the pressure of the edge against your skin very, very, very light. It's the abrasion of the edge against the skin that causes a lot of the razor-burn one can experience.

This all might sound kind of complicated. But it won't be long before you'll be automatically changing the razor to the best angle as you shave without even thinking about it.

Be careful and have fun!

Jeff

That's what I did to start too, just shave a cheek! It will gets easier as time goes on, just don't rush your progress. I remember shaking when I first put that razor near my face...

Congratulations on a new beginning. If you remember that we were all in your shoes once, and that learning the age old art of straight razor shaving will be one of lifes most rewarding experiences, you will enjoy the journey immensely. Keep at it and enjoy the ride down the rabbit hole! You will find all of the encouragement and advice that you need here.

Pete <:-}

Congrats, I just did my first shave this morning. I was planning on just doing sideburns down but couldn't stop myself and ended up doing 2 passes. Very nerve racking but well worth it. A couple times there was a gasp and a uh-oh but I only had one small nick.

Congrats and welcome to Humpglide. We are on the same journey; I just finished my 20th SR shave and I can assure you it gets better each time. I am a long way from having the process down. I was amazed in the beginning as well and I couldn't stop either. For some reason it is very addictive.

Enjoy!!!

Hey its a great addiction being well groomed no matter how far you take it. I just live for my morning shave and the smell of my chosen cologne or aftershave. I even have some hair tonic as well.
The women at work may tease me about it, bur there is nothing live a great shave.