Thread: Frustrated Rookie

So my first two shaves went great. Tonight I'm pretty sure I rolled my blade and may have a very small nick at the tip. All probably from poor stroping. I've been practicing a lot and think I'd be more consistent with a 3" instead of the 2", less to focus on. My fault either way. Anyway, shaved tonight and it left a lot of hair on my face and very red with irritation along with a nick or two. I'm going to send the razor out to SRD and purchase a backup...ugggh...sticking with it though. I'll learn eventually.

got to just slow down and take it step by step, bad stropping in the beginning is trying to go to fast mostly. and even damaging your edge by poor technique while shaving. I know its been said but put your location in your profile and let everyone know where you are, could be someone right down the road from you who can help you along, but patience is the key, it doesn't come quick, your still 100 or so shaves from getting mediocre at this. also try watching Lynns video on starting out shaving, just a small section at a time till you get that down before moving on good luck Tc

Most of the time that I have gotten a red face from shaving was from too much pressure. A dull blade will lead you to too much pressure. Also keep your angle low and your skin tight.

Perhaps its worth a reminder that NONE of US here on this board became seasoned veteran straight razor shavers in a week.. or a month..... even a year.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm pretty confident in my shaving, honing and stropping skills, and yet... after 9 or so years, I'm still learning the odd trick here and there. And worse yet, I even have off days.... and lousy shaves, but generally I avoid them by having that second (I KNOW IT'S SHARP) razor that I can just switch out for the one I'm not happy with at the moment.

As soon as you have one razor shaving the way you want it, that is the perfect time to get the second razor sorted out! All it takes is a bad strop, a little tap on the edge of the sink.... a slip of the fingers..... and if you had two good razors, now you would still have one. If you started with only one, you now have none. I think the primary cause of having to put up with a lousy shave and a raw face, is because you had to finish the shave with *that* razor....

Do not fret, it's happened to pretty much everyone here I'm sure.... Reading can tell you what to practice and how to practice, but you still have to practice, time and again, before you improve. And it's not just repetition, it's "practising doing it right many times" and learning from your mistakes.


Regards

Christian

Don't worry too much, I have been at this a little over six months now and I am feeling more confident but I am by no means a pro.

Apart from dropping a razor and chipping the edge whilst stropping I didn't have too much of an issue with stropping when I started out. I watched a ton of videos and read up the beginners section on this forum before I started though and I got a 3" board strop to begin with. As you say less to worry about, I quickly progressed on to a hanging strop (also 3") and my board strop is now a pasted one. I figure it's the best bet for pasting as it's on a board it will always be flatter than a hanging one.

My troubles always came from two places, the first being too much pressure, that will give you redness and irritation for sure. You need no pressure at all, none. The second problem for me was and still is, carelessness, I chipped a razor on the chain that holds the plug in the sink, as previously mentioned I dropped one too. Sure it's frustrating, but I think if it wasn't so heart breaking when you damage a razor you wouldn't learn the lessons so well.

You are doing the right thing sending it back for repair and ordering a backup. That's exactly what I did, the only problem I have found with that is, I now have four "back up" razors and I keep looking at others too.

Keep at it, you will get there and the destination is well worth the journey.

Take your time, don't use pressure and enjoy.

Have a great day,

Porl.

Welcome to SRP! A lot of great folks, as you can see, and info here.
Yeah as beginners we ALL have done things in our journey to the great BBS shave.

Good on you getting the second straight to keep for a backup. But watch it, keep the two of them fr apart or they somehow seem to multiply

Enjoy and have fun

You're right, I think I was strooping to fast. I'll update my profile. I've watched Lynn's videos and dvd. Thanks for the advice.