Thread: Finished my first shave

Last night after I got out of the shower I did my first shave with a straight razor. It was a little disposable blade shavette. I went this route because I was nervous juming all in with the cost associated. I read a lot of stuff on here and watched some YouTube videos and felt confident. I made a few mistakes that looking at now I see but at the time I didn't think would be a problem. I just used the can of shaving cream I already had, even though I had read a soa would be better. I started on my right sideburn, and that went well, and then did my right cheek and that went well. So, even though I read not to try shaving the whole face the first time, I figured I could handle it. Well, that's where the trouble began. Knicked myself several time around the lips and chin. Got a little bit of razor burn on my neck.

Although it didn't go so well, I figured there would be a learning curve. So I ordered myself some shaving soa and a brush/mug set, and I'm going to try again. Hopefully it goes better the second time around.

A nice soap and a good brush will make your shave better no matter what you use as a whisker wacker. Go slow and pay attention to the details and you will be fine. I find one of the underrated elements to a great shave is skin stretching and holding. It sounds like you will be just fine.

Like you, I did not know whether I would like straight razors. Like you, I started with a shavette, not willing to risk serious money. However, I hated the shavette.

Many of the inexpensive shavettes are so light in weight that they are difficult to use. The disposable blade is sharper than a real straight razor so it can make for a harsh, uncomfortable shave unless your technique is perfect. It takes many shaves to develop your technique with a straight razor, so the chances of getting a decent first shave with a shavette is pretty low. Thus, I am not at all surprised at your experience, some success, but some issues.

Do yourself a favor. Make the investment in a decent razor (new or vintage) that has been professionally honed by someone who knows what they are doing. Not every razor sold as shave ready is ready to deliver a close comfortable shave. Read some of the razor subforum threads to learn what to buy and what not to buy and which vendors can be trusted.

Purchase a decent starter strop to maintain the razor. Until you learn how to use a strop, you will put nicks and scratches in your first strop. Do not purchase an expensive strop until you perfect your stropping technique. Although a 3" wide strop is a little more expensive, it is easier to use when you are first learning as you can use straight stropping strokes rather than diagonal X-strokes.

Purchase an inexpensive shave brush. For under $20, you can pick up a decent pure badger, boar bristle, or synthetic bristle brush. Read the brush subforum posts to help you decide.

Purchase a decent shave soap or cream. Stay away from canned foams or gels. If you insist on purchasing from your local pharmacy, one respectable shave cream is Cremo. It can be used with or without a brush. Check out the soap and cream subforums for other suggestions.

There are some good shaving videos on YouTube that will show you how to use a straight razor. Lynn Abrams and geofatboy videos are two good options, but there are others as well. Be sure to stretch the skin with the opposite hand to get a closer, more comfortable shave. The videos will show you how this is done.

Learn in small steps. Start by shaving your cheeks with the grain of the hair growth. Finish your shave with a DE razor. Once you are comfortable doing that, try shaving your neck with the grain. Once comfortable doing that, try shaving your jawline, chin, and mustache area. Once you are comfortable doing everything with the grain, then repeat the process XTG across the grain and ATG against the grain. After a few weeks of practice, you should be proficient.

If you struggle with a specific area, do not think you have to complete the shave with a straight razor. I have a chin that is very difficult to shave. I shave with a straight razor routinely, but I have never been able to get a close shave on my chin with a straight. Thus, I still use a DE razor to clean up the difficult areas after completing my straight razor passes.

Some people shave only with their dominant hand. Most, however, learn to shave with both hands as it makes it easier to reach all parts of your face.

I'm hoping to see some improvement when my shaving soap and brush come in. And I have been looking on the classified's here and all over different websites looking for a good starter vintage. I think I might have to do the trickier areas, like my chin, with my old razor until I get better with the straight