Thread: First Shave experience

Hello,
This was an exciting day. I received my Ralph Aust 5/8 and shaved for the first time with a real straight. To be honest, I tried a $10 Grim Dollar insertable blade razor three to 4 times before doing this first shave with a real straight.

l did the whole face probably because of the confidence acquired from the Grim Dollar experiences. It took a lot of concentration and I had three tiny cuts. Tiny enough that I didn't need a Styptic pencil to stop bleeding after doing the cold towel at the end of the shave.

I did mostly downstrokes and some upstrokes especially the neck area below the chin.

It was a close shave and when I learn WTG, ATG and XTG it will be even closer.

One notable issue is that it's really hard to see when holding the razor with the right hand. It's hard to see the area under the side burns because my hand blocks the view. Same with the left hand. Any thoughts on this issue?

It was really fun to do Lynn Abrams' routine on the video:
Wash face with hot water, hot wet towel on face, lather, hot wet towel , lather, shave, cold wet towel, aftershave with Trumpers Sandalwood Skin Food (recommended in Christopher. Moss' shaving book which is recommended by Lynn Abrams).

Stroping was a bit of a challenge. I did seventeen strokes on the cloth part and 52 strokes on the leather. Probably applied too much pressure but this was my first time.

All and all I consider it a big success.

Thanks for your suggestions.
July10newbie