Thread: First Shave!!!

Well, my new razors arrived today, a TI Sparticus and a Dovo Forestor. I opted to go with the TI as it was from Invisible Edge in the UK and had been 'hair tested?' whilst the Dovo was not even opened from the factory.
So on the assumption that the TI could be trusted that's the one I used. I prepped using lots of water on my face over 3 mins or so and then applied Trufitt & Hills pre shave oil and then lathered up with Taylor's of Bond Street sensitive shaving cream with my new Silver Haired Badger Brush.
The shave was not as smooth as I had expected but I managed the two cheeks with only one tiny nick. Overall I was pleased with the result, I may have been putting too little pressure on the blade and using a very shallow angle, could that have caused the slight tugging? Also I suspect my lather may have been a little on the dry side, it looked like thick whipped cream.
I can see that I've just started I a huge learning curve with so much to learn, but at least I've got my first shave under my belt!
Ive also post stropped the blade but was very tentative as I'm terrified of damaging the edge, using the TI paddle strop.
I know its going to take time but I Guess I'm the impatient type who wants great results immediately. Note to self "everything will be good in the fullness of time"
Gentlemen I am hooked and can't wait to be good enough to throw my cartridge razor out.

If there wasn't too much tugging or blood loss it's a win. Now it's just practice till it comes together. Good luck

Keep practicing and developing your technique with both the blade and lather, pretty soon (a few months) you'll be thinking "nothing to this". By then you'll be getting the best shaves of your life.

Enjoy your shaves.

Originally Posted by apipeguy

Keep practicing and developing your technique with both the blade and lather, pretty soon (a few months) you'll be thinking "nothing to this". By then you'll be getting the best shaves of your life.

Enjoy your shaves.

Mind if I make a poster of your post and hang it in my bathroom? I'm three shaves beyond DMA, use to my beloved Merkur DE and it seems as though I've been dropped on a remote island with little chance to revisit civilization again!!

There are a lot of use here that are hooked. I would blame your lather more than anything. We all have our preferences, mine is for a wet face lather, not quite wet enough to drip and I'm happy. In trying to decide on your working angle try to imagine the spine about two times the thickness of the spine off of your skin. There is a difference between tugging and resistance in a shave. You should feel some resistance, but not a lot.

I have to commend Shaun on this post....so many posts are made saying words to the effect, "...and my shave was smooth as glass, I felt no sensation of a razor on my face, it was like magic, the whiskers jumped off, blah, blah, blah." If you have whiskers and are shaving them off, you will know it, with an razor, straight or otherwise. However, as was said, there is a difference between tugging and normal feel of resistance. If your razor is sticking or tugging it is probably lather, pressure, or a combination. The angle should be shallow, and over time you will find what the perfect angle is for each razor. Get a little wetter lather and shave with light pressure, you will be happy as you progress with each shave.

Originally Posted by RezDog

There are a lot of use here that are hooked. I would blame your lather more than anything. We all have our preferences, mine is for a wet face lather, not quite wet enough to drip and I'm happy. In trying to decide on your working angle try to imagine the spine about two times the thickness of the spine off of your skin. There is a difference between tugging and resistance in a shave. You should feel some resistance, but not a lot.

My name is Duncan, not Shaun and thank you for your feedback, all the feedback and support is a tremendous help.

I'm just over 50 shaves and last night I had my best shave ever. Keep at it because you never stop learning new ways to shave your face. I thought I knew how to get a close shave and last night I tried going a little different direction and it made a huge difference. The left side of my face was as smooth as it's ever been.

Watch videos on stropping and go slow. You'll get it quick enough.
Good luck and have fun

Indeed, take your time and do not rush... eventually everything will fall into the right place.
Enjoy the journey!
Cheers.

Congratulations on starting down the long road to an Older but Better way of Shaving

As you have said, this age old art has a huge learning curve but once at least semi mastered is very rewarding.

As Rez (Shaun) has said it does sound like your lather may be causing you grief, however as pointed out it could be pressure. It could also be using too high of an angle/thus 'scraping the beard off' instead of 'cutting the beard off. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep two spine widths off of the skin, that should be in the ball park and get you going.

Also you might search out an older barber who has experience with the traditional razors, it's become hard to do as many countries have banned the standard straights and insist on only the Shavette types. However it might be well worth your time to find some experienced help. This could also help with learning stropping and when the time comes for some help refreshing the edge.

Oh, about lather, the canned foam stuff isn't the best even many low cost real shaving soaps are much, much better.

With all of this said, you will find the 99.99% of Everything about straight razor shaving is Personal Preference! After time you will settle down into what you 'prefer'.

Stick with it, it takes time and patience, but it can be very rewarding for the efforts!

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades