Impressions after first straight razor shave

First time using a straight razor this morning. Here are my impressions/comments. If any of you have comments/feedback/critical comments, please feel free to let them fly.

After hot shower, with my face still wet of course, I let my brush soak in hot water for a couple of minutes, then turned my proraso cream into as good of a lather as I could, applied that then...tentatively put blade to face.

1) My hand/wrist partially blocks my view of the area just below my side burn, not sure how to change that so I tried to just go by feel

2) Little short strokes seem easier and more effective than long ones...wow, I'm finding describing shaving similar to golf, it seems impossible to avoid sexual innuendo, so I'm not even going to try

3) Upper lip area wasn't as difficult to shave as I thought it was going to be with the exception of the two little areas immediately below my nostrils, not sure what to do there, but I'm sure with practice and more confidence it will become easier/more apparent what to do...I hope

4) As I was shaving, I was wondering if I need to try to keep the blade wet(with water) all the time and how often I need to rinse shaving cream/stubble off both sides of blade

5) After my first pass going down side burn area, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't very close at all, it's like my stout facial hair was fighting back, they put up a pretty good fight

5a) I did 3 passes below the side burn area and it's not quite baby butt smooth but pretty close

6) Less blood than I thought (mostly between lower lip and chin area which I really had no business attacking(?) on my first shave

6a) Under lip chin area quite difficult, not sure what else to say, I did not do anything of much use down there with my straight razor

7) Made sure to use left hand on left side...it wasn't too bad but I am very right handed so I really had to concentrate and my left hand shaves slower than the right for now...

8) It was awkward to find a good hand position on either side while trying to shave my neck area

9) Adams apple! Well, mine is excessively 3 dimensional and almost sharp...I have to hold a "swallow" if you know what I mean, to move it out of the way to shave in that particular area. I was really praying I wouldn't get the yips (otherwise known as twitches, staggers, jitters and jerks) while shaving around the Mt. Everest of Adams apples. I didn't luckily.

10) I'm not sure with stropping how much pressure to apply. What I think I know is drag the spine first and roll it over on the spine for each pass. The strop is a little wider than the blade so that makes it easier, I think, so I can just make a bunch of straight passes and get the whole thing. I realize the blade needs to make some contact with the strop otherwise it wouldn't be doing anything (re-aligning the blade?) at all. I'm just not sure how much pressure to apply.

11) I can't wait to try it again tomorrow morning...I swear, starting that first pass was like standing in the tee-box for the first time with driver in hand and people waiting behind me and just hoping I didn't completely whiff at the ball. I'm glad that's over with and I will surely continue to take it slow but it won't be quite as nerve racking next time.

Try not to think too much, while shaving. Concentrate in what your doing, and where the blade is, and what angle.


But anyhoo....Congratulations..!! :tu

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Originally Posted by outback

Try not to think too much, while shaving.

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That's really good, simple advice. It works with pretty much anything I'm learning.

Congratulations!

The only solution I can come up with for the upper lip is do like I did....grow a mustache. Seriously, I've had one for years so I'm no help to you in that area, I never could shave there without getting cut. For the Adam's Apple try stretching the skin down to tighten and to the side to get that area partially away from Adam's Apple then stretch to other side the same way. Remember; take your time, its not a race, concentrate on what you are doing and practice, practice, practice..........

Good luck on your straight razor shaving journey and Happy Shaving!

Yep, I'm going to have to learn to stretch the skin. Just sitting here practicing that and I can tell that should be effective with the adams apple. I got a little sloppy with the shaving cream and couldn't really get a grip to stretch my skin. I'll focus a little more on that next time.

Nice step by step of your experience. I remember the first SR shave with sweat pouring down my face just waiting to slice myself open. It becomes easier and more a feel with less thought. Learn how your beard grows and which directions work best in what areas of your face. What are the best ways to stretch your skin. It's one big experiment until you figure out what works best for YOUR FACE.

Remember, patience is your friend, ask lots of questions, and enjoy!

Welcome to the rabbit hole!

Thank you Rich, I appreciate the advice, any and all is welcome. I need to figure out how to put my name at the bottom like you did (is that the signature?) Also SRP has rejected all my avatar attempts, maybe they are too large or something...

Since the Dovo was especially challenging for me to hone due to a poor heel contour, I really want to have another go at honing that sucker. If I'm still somehow unable to conquer the beast, I will have Alex also try another razor or 2 that I have to see if he has some of the same issues or not. For me, the razor did not perform nearly as well as one of my own 16 (excepting my SS custom which gives a similar less-than-satisfying shave).

Too many variables to be certain at this point.

Avatars has very specific sizing limitations such that I haven't changed mine in forever (and, I'm a "computer guy" lol). Your signature is a great place to put your name or pithy saying. ;)

Good job!

Go slow
Don't let your concentration waver
Don't take your eyes off that edge

Big congrats !!!!

Great job breaking the ice.

Remember to shave slow, steady and deliberate.

Most important, stay in your comfort zone. If something doesn't feel right, put the razor down and take a breather. You might even have to walk away for a while and sort things out.

Watch shaving videos and try to pick out strokes and angles that work best for you, then practice them using a butter knife.

Sight lines will get more comfortable in time.

You have to learn the feel of a straight razor. You are holding and pushing one end of the blade in the direction that you are making the stroke. The whiskers are pushing back the opposite way on the other end of the blade. You will learn the feeling and how to compensate for the sort of tourque effect that is happening. A lot of new shavers think they have a dull blade when they first feel this.

Keep your touch very light...like a butterfly with sore feet.

Practice, practice, practice.

Soon you'll be shaving like an old pro!

Good luck and thanks for sharing

Pete <:-}

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Originally Posted by petercp4e

Great job breaking the ice.

Remember to shave slow, steady and deliberate.

Most important, stay in your comfort zone. If something doesn't feel right, put the razor down and take a breather. You might even have to walk away for a while and sort things out.

Watch shaving videos and try to pick out strokes and angles that work best for you, then practice them using a butter knife.

Sight lines will get more comfortable in time.

You have to learn the feel of a straight razor. You are holding and pushing one end of the blade in the direction that you are making the stroke. The whiskers are pushing back the opposite way on the other end of the blade. You will learn the feeling and how to compensate for the sort of tourque effect that is happening. A lot of new shavers think they have a dull blade when they first feel this.

Keep your touch very light...like a butterfly with sore feet.

Practice, practice, practice.

Soon you'll be shaving like an old pro!

Good luck and thanks for sharing

Pete <:-}

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Much appreciated Pete. The butter knife is a great idea, I'll do that tonight for some safe, hands on practice. I'll try to remember a butterfly with sore feet next time I shave, I like that.

As far as keeping the blade wet... i find that on my last pass i like a little extra water to help the blade glide over the skin as there is not a lot of whiskers left for it to cut. So i lather up and rince the blade with every stroke. Puts just a touch of water on the edge. But normally, rince when you feel the need. You dont want to be leaving lather behind from off the blade. And you need to see the blade at all times when new at this. Its just a personnal thing. Some rince, some wipe. Some guys clean the blade off more than others.

After you get to know the blade better you can adjust your wrist position some to see better. You need to see for sure, but seeing every thing can put your wrist and arm in odd posisions and that can cause you to change the angle or add pressure when you dont want it.

Just go easy, slow and watch the angle and preasure. Its not a DE. It will bite harder!

And yes, that is the signature line down below. It makes it nice to know someones real name. Not something that you have to do as we all figure out names after a while if you keep posting and become part of the family.

Couple more thoughts for you. Get youself an Alum block. Get your finger tips wet and rub the Alum, then you can grip wet soapy skin.
Most of us dont worry about the bbs shave. Close comfortable ir damn fine shave. You might still be able to feel whiskers if you rub your face a certain way in a couple spots, but if you walk away with no irritation and very little burn from the After Shave, then you did good. This is whats important to me. Not bbs. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by terriblegolfer

Thank you Rich, I appreciate the advice, any and all is welcome. I need to figure out how to put my name at the bottom like you did (is that the signature?) Also SRP has rejected all my avatar attempts, maybe they are too large or something...

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I see that the Avatar is working :tu :y

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

I see that the Avatar is working :tu :y

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Yes, I see that now too, thanks to you!

Congratulations on your first shave :)
I am by no means an expert SR-shaver but here are my comments on your observations:
1) My hand/wrist partially blocks my view of the area just below my side burn, not sure how to change that so I tried to just go by feel
Happens to me too, and I too go just by feel. I'm pretty sure that's how everyone does it :P

2) Little short strokes seem easier and more effective than long ones...wow, I'm finding describing shaving similar to golf, it seems impossible to avoid sexual innuendo, so I'm not even going to try
Yep, same here. I use the same kind of strokes even with my single edge razors and my double edge razors. It's just better (in my opinion

3) Upper lip area wasn't as difficult to shave as I thought it was going to be with the exception of the two little areas immediately below my nostrils, not sure what to do there, but I'm sure with practice and more confidence it will become easier/more apparent what to do...I hope
I go for an heuristic approach: I shave WTG, XTG Left to Right and then XTG Right to left. It's because my upper lip is too sensitive and the ATG stroke would just burn my lip. My best advice here would be: shave as close as you can but only if it's comfortable.

4) As I was shaving, I was wondering if I need to try to keep the blade wet(with water) all the time and how often I need to rinse shaving cream/stubble off both sides of blade
I think you don't. The lather should provide enough cushion and preparation to your face, also the water just runs from your blade anyways so it's almost impossible to keep the blade wet :P

5) After my first pass going down side burn area, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't very close at all, it's like my stout facial hair was fighting back, they put up a pretty good fight
In my experience, SR need a much more advanced technique than any other razor, My first time I expected to have the same results I get with my Merkur HD... and., just like you, I was disappointed to see a lot of hairs sprinkled all over my face. It was just technique and practice maketh master :) Wouldn't hurt to make sure the razor is properly honed (dull blades could go from hair pulling to gliding over your skin like a spoon)

5a) I did 3 passes below the side burn area and it's not quite baby butt smooth but pretty close
Same results here. I can't say if it's the razor (I feel it's sharp enough, no pulling nor discomfort) or it's just how I shave, but yeah... I get really close but not as close as I do with my safety (and boy have I read plenty of opinions on which one should be sharper... I gave up trying to find out)

6) Less blood than I thought (mostly between lower lip and chin area which I really had no business attacking(?) on my first shave /envy Mine wasn't so good... didn't had much blood but my face was as red as a smoked pork chop

6a) Under lip chin area quite difficult, not sure what else to say, I did not do anything of much use down there with my straight razor As I said, get as close as you can without feeling discomfort. Some times you just can't archive BBS on all your face (I know I cant on my upper lip and my neck)

7) Made sure to use left hand on left side...it wasn't too bad but I am very right handed so I really had to concentrate and my left hand shaves slower than the right for now...
Practice maketh master. Try very slow and short strokes and try to mimic your right hand-leftside. If all fails, use your right hand and just keep practicing. Remember this: it's better to have a comfortable and secure grip than to drop the razor on the sink because you're a duffus with your other hand (happened to me, I almost cry)

8) It was awkward to find a good hand position on either side while trying to shave my neck area
I ALWAYS have trouble with my neck, I guess we both have to watch a couple more videos (ShaveTheMan has a nice repertoire)

9) Adams apple! Well, mine is excessively 3 dimensional and almost sharp...I have to hold a "swallow" if you know what I mean, to move it out of the way to shave in that particular area. I was really praying I wouldn't get the yips (otherwise known as twitches, staggers, jitters and jerks) while shaving around the Mt. Everest of Adams apples. I didn't luckily.

Damn... can't help you here, mine is small. I would suggest to keep a disposable at hand if things turn to be too difficult.

10) I'm not sure with stropping how much pressure to apply. What I think I know is drag the spine first and roll it over on the spine for each pass. The strop is a little wider than the blade so that makes it easier, I think, so I can just make a bunch of straight passes and get the whole thing. I realize the blade needs to make some contact with the strop otherwise it wouldn't be doing anything (re-aligning the blade?) at all. I'm just not sure how much pressure to apply.
I've found that the trick is to do slooooooooow strokes at first. This helps me to make sure the blade is in touch with the leather and also this helps me control the pressure. In my specific case, speed == pressure == dull blade. Also, my strop is in fact an old belt that had a super soft side (maybe 1.5 inches (3.75cm) long) so I have to do the X strokes anyways, closely look at the edge and see if it touches the leather in all it's (edge) length and if not, try an X stroke, that way it's almost sure the whole edge will be caressed by the leather.
Regarding pressure: As little as possible. Basically, just the resultant pressure of the razor's own weight. That's why I recommend slow strokes, this way you can *feel* it and *see* it and do micromovements with ease.

11) I can't wait to try it again tomorrow morning...I swear, starting that first pass was like standing in the tee-box for the first time with driver in hand and people waiting behind me and just hoping I didn't completely whiff at the ball. I'm glad that's over with and I will surely continue to take it slow but it won't be quite as nerve racking next time.
I know the feeling hahaha. Just keep a disposable at hand. If the razor or your skin are not in the best of states then chances are you will get a red face so just keep that in mind and have the disposable fix whatever needs to be fixed. and NEVER GET DISCOURAGED.
We are here to help you clear any doubt you might have. So never give up, the only ones who never learn how to use a straight are those who give up.

Cheers and let us know how your next shave goes.

Let the razor do the work. Light pressure. Weight of the blade only when you strop.

I may have been the biggest critic on these boards against the "dead man's pass". I now pull it off every morning. I plant my elbows in front of a magnifying mirror holding the blade steady as I gently move my head from south to North. Naturally you have to be gentle keep the blade angled right and stretch the skin tight. It's my third pass. Works great

There is an easy solution to shaving the adam's apple--you don't have to do it. No, I don't mean to leave a weird patch there. Instead, pull the skin to the left and shave what was over the apple. Then pull the skin to the right and shave what was over the apple. Mission accomplished without ever shaving directly over the adam's appple.

I am a right handed shaver. It feels easier and I can do a good job with just the right hand. I may have to employ some strange blade contortions, but my left hand is dyslexic! Best advice is to take it slow and stretch your skin. Having a very sharp blade is also a great help. Lots of good blade honers on SRP, use the resource.

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Originally Posted by Legman

Let the razor do the work. Light pressure. Weight of the blade only when you strop.

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A couple of other suggestions you may have already been told. When you begin your shave if the razor is pulling STOP do not continue the shave. Either go to the strop or shave with a safety razor if you do not have another straight. Don't be afraid of the razor. If the razor is truly SHAVE READY it will be as smooth as a safety razor. Stretch your skin and do short strokes no more than an inch always being aware of the angle which should be roughly 30 degrees. Be especially careful not to lose your angle when you shave down over your jaw bone or chin. When you are starting straight razor shaving it takes a little while for you to find that perfect touch and to figure your angles etc. for shaving hard to get to spots etc. If you do a second pass shave across the grain. Instead of shaving down sideburn to jaw bone start at your ear and shave towards your nose. If at all possible do not shave against the grain. I promise that second pass across the grain will be baby butt smooth. Here is my post shave routine: a hot towel to my face until it isn't hot, sometimes I will then go over my wet face with an alum block. I don't always use the alum. Next, I put a pea size drop of George F. Trumper Coral Skin Food in my hand rub my hand together about twice and apply it to the shaved area. If you use this stuff and I recommend it, I have used it for over 20 years, do not try to rub it in. Leave it wet on your face. You will actually feel your face drinking this stuff in and it feels fantastic. In about 45 seconds you can touch you face and will not be able to tell you just put anything on it. Then I usually splash on some Pinaud Vegetal Lilac after shave. It has a very subtle fresh scent reminds me of a barbershop and it doesn't burn it simply refreshes. It is about $7 bucks from SRD. The Trumper skin food may seem pricy but a bottle will last me at least 18 months. Sooo, you are doing great, keep after it and enjoy! And, these are my thoughts and opinions having shaved with a straight razor since 1983 years before internet and all the info and forums and stores selling supplies, all the different hones, Norton, Naniwa, Shapton etc. My wife's Dad and Grandpa were barbers, old school barbers who showed me how to use the razor, gave me a razor, a Swatty barber hone and a Strop from 1957. I collected more barber hones and I had to learn the special touch needed to sharpen a razor to shave ready with just a Barber Hone. Good Luck and Good Shaving!

I really cannot contribute much other than I just started some three or four weeks ago myself. I watched a great video by Lynn from www.straightrazordesigns.com and not sure why I came across that on youtube. I had been planning a trip to Asia and thought it would be neat to master my SR before I went.

I seem to have taken right to it....did my whole face the first try.

My neck hairs grow to the right, I wish they grew straight down! Anyway, I am learning how to go against the grain there.

It definitely seems to be a something we all have to learn as we go. I have found just how I like the lather, too think and the blade skips along, just right and it glides.

I can say one thing---SHAVING IS NOW FUN. I actually look forward to it, I assume because it is a challenge and has some risk involved.

My dad is proud of me and my mother and especially my girlfriend are happy I am now shaving at least twice a week.

*Background. Attempted to straight razor shave in 2009 but did not have a strop and quit after two attempts. I had no idea what angle to use. When I bought a strop I did not touch it for 9 years, until 3 weeks ago in fact.