First SR Shave This Morning

Ok, so maybe its wasn't my first straight razor shave, but it was my first straight razor shave in probably 4 years. I tried to learn how to save with a straight about 4 years ago and gave up. Well, I am now determined to figure this out!

I purchased all of my current supplies from straight razor designs. This morning shave consisted of: dovo best quality half hollow sr, SRD 3" black latigo strop of with the premium fabric on the opposite side, and tabac soap and aftershave lotion.

I started my morning off by taking a hot shower and then built my lather and started shaving. I did not strop my razor before my shave as it came shave ready from SRD. The shave was successful in that I didn't cut myself. However, it wasn't exactly a great shave. No irritation, but I failed to remove the hair consistently. Especially around my jaw. I realize that it is a game of angles and it will take me attempts before my shaves improve. I just touched everything up with my DE afterwards.

After leaving my razor out to dry for about 15 minutes on a towel I stropped it. I did 10 on the fabric and 40 on the leather. Tomorrow before I attempt my second shave I will do 20 on fabric and 60 on leather. Before I put my razor up I applied a light coat of straight razor oil from SRD onto the blade and put the razor back in its sleeve.

I am excited to learn how to shave with a straight razor even though I realize it is going to be a long time before I am able to produce a shave that is acceptable to show up to work with.

Thank you to everyone on this forum that has provided such great information in other threads. You all are the reason I have decided to jump back into this determined to shave with a straight razor!

Sounds like your second attempt will be much more successful than the first.
The mouth and chin area were also the toughest for me. My chin hair is very coarse. I think most beards are in that area.
Your work must be much different than mine. I drive dump trucks. Most of my co-workers show up looking like a casting call for the "Walking Dead".
You have good kit. I love Tabac. And the correct attitude. Welcome to the club.
Ken

Welcome. Patience is absolutely necessary with a straight. Once you get the correct angle to, skin stretch and pressure you will find a total difference. One shave down. Only 99 to go.

Welcome and take you time. Took me months before I got half decent at it and I'm still learning

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Originally Posted by Maryland998

Sounds like your second attempt will be much more successful than the first.
The mouth and chin area were also the toughest for me. My chin hair is very coarse. I think most beards are in that area.
Your work must be much different than mine. I drive dump trucks. Most of my co-workers show up looking like a casting call for the "Walking Dead".
You have good kit. I love Tabac. And the correct attitude. Welcome to the club.
Ken

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I’m determined to be more successful this time! We definitely work in different environments. I’m active duty military and have been for about 8 years. A good clean shave is required. Sometimes it gets annoying, but if it wasn’t for the forced daily shaving I never would have discovered the world of DE and straight razor shaving. It has turned a daily chore into a hobby.

When I was in Basic at Fort Benning. (1987) I would have to carry around a Bic disposable and dry shave around lunch time. If I did not do that. Then my drill Sgt's would accuse me of skipping shaving in the morning. Resulting in many many push ups. I get a 1'oclock shadow. :)
What branch are you in dah90?

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Originally Posted by Maryland998

When I was in Basic at Fort Benning. (1987) I would have to carry around a Bic disposable and dry shave around lunch time. If I did not do that. Then my drill Sgt's would accuse me of skipping shaving in the morning. Resulting in many many push ups. I get a 1'oclock shadow. :)
What branch are you in dah90?

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Yikes a 1 o’clock shadow would be miserable in the military. I’m a Marine that is currently part of the active staff at a reserve base. I will happily be back at a large base by the end of the year though!

Well, this mornings shave didnt go so well. I just couldn’t seem to get the angle right to cut hair. It constantly felt like I was scrapping instead of cutting. I know it’s me and not the razor as my razor still passed the hanging hair test after my shave. This is definitely going to be a long learning process! Lol

Congratulations! You will figure it out. Focus on keeping the razor at a 30 degree angle. Start at the sideburns and shave to the jawbone in short strokes stretching the skin. About half the time I’ll do a second pass. My chin is the toughest. Sometimes I’ll re lather the chin just to soften it up. Once you figure this out you will enjoy it.

Experiment..... It may sound obsessive but I kept a diary. Everyday I detailed what worked and what didn't. Above all I came here with many many questions and I got tons of help

You are exactly right that it is a "game of angles." If you are shaving your cheek area successfully, and that is the easiest area, then make note of that angle.

When in doubt, lower the angle. Eventually you will find it. The struggle you are having now is like learning how to ride a bike. What is impossibly difficult now will become automatic. Just be patient.

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Originally Posted by dah90

Yikes a 1 o’clock shadow would be miserable in the military. I’m a Marine that is currently part of the active staff at a reserve base. I will happily be back at a large base by the end of the year though!

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Yut! Semper Fi Marine! Artilleryman out of 29. Was with Kilo 3/11 from 2001-2005. Thank you for your service!
And as you said, it’s a game of angles. I too just started wet shaving with a SR and have much to learn. But just as everyone here as mentioned, it’s an acquired skill that will come together.

Lay your razor flat against the skin. Slowly increase angle until it cuts hair. Nothing to it. Just don't exceed that 30 degree angle.....I cut myself last night doing something silly but even a "cut" is extremely superficial.

In no time you'll learn what angle to adopt, you won't have to think about it.

Looks like we have the same razor, except mine is "full hollow ground." I also had problems with it from the factory, although mine came from "The Superior Shave." I also didn't strop when I first tried it in 2009. When I started this again last month, I stropped first and it cut great.

I hope to get a second straight razor soon for when I send my Dovo off for honing, I won't miss any practice.

It's a good start, keep at it, don't get discouraged, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. "A game of angles' is a perfect description.
As stated before, take your time, enjoy it, we are all about pampering ourselves. The way I see it; "For a few minutes a day it's all about me".