Thread: Beginner in need of guidance

Just for clarity.....

Originally Posted by CAL5210

Just for clarity.....

That's Redic....I'm at a loss for words.

1st shave attempt- I went straight for the neck and butchered it. I was careful yet still got cuts. No gouges as I was careful.

2nd shave attempt- Getting better, got the top of my beard line and all the way up my sideburns nice and neat....

3rd shave attempt- Just finished, at first neck shaving was going fine but then it went south...ended up with a few minor cuts. I feel like the blade might be getting dull half way though my shave. Does anyone else have that problem? It could be my technique, or the fact that the hair on my neck grows in 20 different directions. In any case, I seem to be getting better. Razor burn and cuts on the neck are still prominent.

Check some of the videos in the forum... Good stuff there. A few things to consider...

- Use a very light touch. Think of it as shaving off the lather.
- Each pass will take a bit more of the hair, so don't try to get it in one pass.
- Look closely at your hair in a mirror to learn the growth patterns. Try to shave with the grain (WTG)only, for your first shave. You can then work up to Across The Grain, and then eventually Against The Grain.
- Make sure you're getting a good lather. Too much or too little water can affect the shave.
- Consider using a pre-shave cream under the lather (e.g. Poraso, or Noxema with a few drops of glycerin).
- Slow and steady wins the race. My first shave took like 45 mins!
- Related to that, apply you lather in sections of your face a t a time, so it doesn't start to dry out.

Most importantly, have fun! It'll take time, but it will eventually work out. What's great, is that it is positive reinforcement, you get a better shave so you keep trying, then you get a great shave, and then you keep trying to repoduce that.

Thanks for the tips!

I actually did the section thing earlier. That worked out well. I think excess pressure is deff a part of my problem.

ON the topic of pulling/stretching the skin to get it taut. How do you guys do that without your fingers slipping?

Yeah, I had that problem. Some times I'd dry my hand before stretching. Other times, I take a wash cloth, which I used to wipe lather off the blade (I dinged the blade by rinsing it under the faucet once - lesson learned) and hold that, pulling the skin with the wash cloth between my fingers and my face. Seems to give a bit more traction.

Good that you're strectching the skin.

Originally Posted by Sunshine1

Thanks for the tips!

I actually did the section thing earlier. That worked out well. I think excess pressure is deff a part of my problem.

ON the topic of pulling/stretching the skin to get it taut. How do you guys do that without your fingers slipping?

That's one of the things the alum block is for. Wet your fingers and rub it on the alum block, it will allow you to get a good hold on your skin even when still slippery from the soap.


It's important to read the beginners how-to guide at the top of this forum: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html and watch Lynn's video, perhaps several times until you know exactly what your going to do.

Wait for your next shave so you can see if the blade has become dull . It should be super sharp and sail through all hair in any direction.

Hows your stropping technique ? You might be accidently dulling it yourself .

Remember to strop with no pressure and go slow.

I have had blade edges deteriorate during a shave but that was from over honing and creating a weak edge .