Thread: First shave!

Well it was a bit of a bloodbath but I survived.
Got this sight unseen Bengall (shave ready) from Larry @Wipped Dog in the mail today and after weeks of reading I couldn't wait to get home from work. I managed to do both cheeks, chin and upper neck before going to the DE. To be honest I am a little disappointed in the blade but I'll say right off it is most likely my lack of technique (I hope). Two days growth so not too much to slice through and I tried to keep the blade angle down and my skin taut. It felt really rough. So....will give my face a days rest and give it another go. Alum block and styptic pencil got a work out! Haha.

You survived the initial fear though! Good job, the shaves just get better.

good job.
it only will get better.

start using both left & right hands as well.

Your first results are very typical. This age old art has quite the learning curve to it. Your results will get better as you learn the proper angles. Plus your preshave. I highly recommend that you shower before shaving and be sure to wash or shampoo your face. Then immediatly after the shower, make your lather and apply it. Then strop the blade. Then heat a damp towel in the micro OR if you have really hot water soak the towel and then rinse it and then hold the hot towel to your face and let it sit there for a minute or two.

Then re-lather up and wait just a bit and THEN shave.

NO this probably won't be needed down the road but for now you need to do Everything you can to have good prep.

I hope this has been of some help to you.

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades

That's great advice cudarunner, thanks for the encouragement! I will go overboard with the preshave.

Welcome to SRP!!!

And congrats on making it through the first shave, as said, there is quite the learning curve.
But if you stay at it, you'll get it and have some of the best shaves of your life

Did you strop before using?

Originally Posted by AlanQ

Did you strop before using?

Yes I did strop, against Larry's (Whipped Dog) initial instructions which of course I didn't read thoroughly. Light passes on a bench strop.

Originally Posted by caljw

Yes I did strop, against Larry's (Whipped Dog) initial instructions which of course I didn't read thoroughly. Light passes on a bench strop.

Well it should get better with practice, Whipped Dog provides shave ready straights so I doubt the problem is with the edge unelss you messed it up stropping.
Keep at it I woudl say it took me a good 6 months before I could confidently shave and 1 year before I got good at it

Well it's gonna be a long 6 months!!! Shave #4 today and I really cut the hell out of my face. I am trying to do too much too soon...I need to riegn myself in. Just the cheeks I keep telling myself but then, when they go nicely, I push on and shouldn't. Patience and self control....who knew straight razors would require such virtues? Oh and the stinging.....man if that doesn't toughen you up