Thread: Beginner with some problems

Originally Posted by 32t

Welcome to SRP from the east side of the river. [ST Paul]

Hey, thanks! I've gotten a warm welcome from other Minnesotans and everyone on this forum, so I'm really glad to be here.

Originally Posted by 32t

Depending on what you think of relatively new is it seems you are doing well. Practice practice practice.

I picked up that gold dollar I mentioned about 4 weeks ago, and that was my first straight razor shave. After I realized I had made a mistake with that razor, I purchased the one I have now about 2 weeks ago, so I am probably more in the really new category than "relatively new".

Originally Posted by 32t

Nice razor. From the pictures I see relatively large scratches in the bevel. In pictures like that the bevel should be shiny. Unless I would hold it I don't know for sure but that makes me suspect of it being "shave ready".

Yeah, it's possible that it might have a different edge than I was expecting (or maybe when my preferences are better attuned, than I would prefer), but the thumb test that Lynn shows on his honing videos do seem to indicate that it's sharp. It's also possible that my stropping technique isn't developed yet, and so that has affected the edge, as well.

Originally Posted by 32t

You mentioned dinging your strop. Was it with this edge? Not good for the edge and a good example of why I wouldn't recomend a top of the line strop for a beginner and most of us don't have dads old one to use. A running thing between me and one son is that I many times use his starting something for a reason to give him my "old one" and I get a new one while he thinks that I give him old junk. Now that I am past raising my family and can afford top of the line I think so what. Sorry that I digress.

First off, no need to apologize for the digression. Some of the reason I wanted to get into straight razor shaving is to be more in tune with the "old fashioned" way of doing things. That means listening (intently) to those who have come before you, so your experience and stories are always appreciated.

As for dinging my strop, I dinged it mostly with my first straight razor, but I think when I first got this razor and I stropped it for the first time, I also screwed up then. It's only on one side of the strop (the finer brown leather side). I watched a number of videos on stropping, but this definitely seems like something that you need to learn by feel. I should probably talk to one of the folks in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and see if I can just get an in-person demonstration so I know my technique is ok before I continue to make mistakes.

Originally Posted by 32t

As far as your technique it comes down to practice. Read the advice here and develop your own technique. The internet is hard for me to understand what one persons definition of "light" is compared to mine. Use it as a starting point. You have to think a lot while learning but after a while you won't think about how far the spine is from your skin, your subconscious will do it.

Yeah, that's definitely the trouble I'm having. I watch videos and read a lot about this art, but in the end it comes down to the difference between my "light" and another person's "light". I'm an engineer, so if it were given in in-lbs of pressure perhaps I would be better able to understand it. (joking) :>

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

First and foremost who honed it and leave CRoX alone till we figure out what you got, second stropping is the most important aspect of keeping a shave ready edge.

I'm pretty confident the person who honed it knows what they're doing. I purchased the razor from the SRP forum classifieds, and I have heard of this individual's reputation, so I think he's pretty good. Good advice on skipping the CrOx for now and work on my stropping technique.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Next slow down and read a lot about starting out, just shave a portion of your face till your comfortable with the angles and pressure and your getting good results. The irratation is more than likely too much pressure combined with your edge. Look up mentors in your area and there are some good ones in Mn. Not to mention a couple pretty good guys with a hone.

Yeah, like I mentioned in a previous post, it's not that I'm really in a rush or anything. I'm willing to devote the time necessary to perfecting this, but I just would like some confirmation that I'm starting correctly so I don't end up perfecting bad habits.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I'll say it again slow down and quit looking for a perfect shave until you have perfected your technique, and that's months from now or maybe never, this ain't for everyone, especially if your wanting instant gratification. Good luck and search out mentors and one on one help.

Thanks for the tips!

Originally Posted by Benz

X2 on everything TC recommended. Judging by your pictures a couple things come to mind. First of all, and I mean no disrespect, you appear to be a young man so your skin will be more tender than us old guys. If you are shaving with the straight more than say two times a week try straight shaving a little less often and give your skin time to heal. I've been straight shaving for 45 years and my hide is tough enough to shave every day. You will get there too, just give it time.

Ah... yeah I didn't realize this would play a role. It literally never occurred to me that I might have slightly different skin simply because of my age. (That's not me being sarcastic, either. It really didn't occur to me). I have been trying to shave every day, so I'll tone it back and that will likely help some with the irritation.

Originally Posted by Benz

Last thing is your picture of shaving the chin. When you go around the bulb of your chin try clenching your lower lip between your teeth to stretch the skin. Hope this helps.

Great advice, thanks!

Ahhhh, alright. I was just making sure you weren't wrapping the towel around it or something of the sort. A light spine leading stroke would do or tap the spine edge on your finger will get water off.

Also, happy to have another member who has gone through the rabbit hole of engineering maths! What branch of engineering?

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Ahhhh, alright. I was just making sure you weren't wrapping the towel around it or something of the sort. A light spine leading stroke would do or tap the spine edge on your finger will get water off.

Also, happy to have another member who has gone through the rabbit hole of engineering maths! What branch of engineering?

Hah! You'll probably laugh when I tell you - "software". (Although, I did complete most of the coursework for an EE degree, but decided to go with CS/Math with a focus in cryptology, instead).

Ah, CS/software engineering isn't bad. I have to bitch about someone when my CAD isn't functioning the way I want it to

Have you examined the direction of hair growth, on your face?

If not done already, try doing a pass with the grain (WTG), a pass across the grain (XTG), and lastly against the grain (ATG). You'll want to get most the hair cut before doing the ATG, and you can work up to it, over shaving sessions. Maybe starting with WTG, and then adding XTG, and then adding ATG to your process.

Lower the blade angle, as you do ATG, than with WTG.

Just some ideas.

One thing that helped me was to think in my mind to just lightly scrape the lather off. I'm not 'shaving whiskers' I'm 'removing lather'. That helps me keep that light touch. Also, as someone with coarse whiskers, I generally do a buffing stroke with the razor so I'm going over an area 2 or 3 times, lightly, before moving on. That keeps the face clean. Incidentally I have to do the same thing with a DE.

And it's nice to have one more code monkey on the forums. :-)

I've been shaving with a straight for years and I still regularly have to remind myself to use a lighter stroke.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've been shaving with a straight for years and I still regularly have to remind myself to use a lighter stroke.

+1 to that. I have to remind myself mid shave, or just go harder and faster. Not a good combo...