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

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.

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

Originally Posted by Dieseld

But watch it, keep the two of them fr apart or they somehow seem to multiply

Enjoy and have fun

Hahaha, if only that were true. I would save a fortune. Maybe mine are all male razors or something. I have always respected their privacy but if this is a possibility I will start checking before I make my next purchase

Hang in there.
I slashed three strops up during the first few months and I rolled my edge a number a times.
It took a 3 inch strop for me to get straightened out.

I’m a new shaver as well. While my shaves have a long way to go, I’m think I’m doing well with stropping and will share how I achieved this. I’ll count on the veteran’s to correct anything I’m saying that isn’t correct.

Lynn Abrams of SRD has really good instructional videos. Google ‘lynn abrams youtube stropping’. This was the most powerful tool. There are many shaving focused YouTuber’s. My experience is that Lynn brings the best level of competence. I don’t know him personally, though gather that he is a ‘do it right or don’t do it at all’ kind of guy

I don’t try to strop quickly. Also, I bought a cheap strop which simply won’t work well.

Another powerful tool is the SRP Library. There is a even audio on how stropping should sound.

Whipped Dog has a beginners kit for roughly $25 that has been very helpful. It comes with a basic strop which works well and was great for me to start with as I cut it many times. I’ve since upgraded to Straight Razor Designs English bridle leather strop, which is the cat’s meow.

You mentioned sending your razor in to be honed from turning the edge. I have both turned the edge and dinged the edge on the faucet. I was able to correct both of those with the Whipped Dog beginner’s kit.

It comes with a piece of balsa wood with green abrasive on one side and red on the other. I was able to fix both issues myself with this and then by taking my time while stropping.

I don’t think it makes sense to get a good strop until achieving the skill level of not cutting it. Having said that, my SRD English bridal leather strop also has a nylon web strop. I love that strop. You can upgrade to traditional materials, but SRD says that the nylon webbing is awesome and I have to agree.