Yet Another 1st Shave 1st post Thread

[Yannis]

I detest oils in my face, in my brush, in my razor and in my hands!
sometimes I use pre-shave gel that is water solluble, but my oppinion is that the benefit of oils and gels after a proper preparation is only mental and not substantial.

Yannis

[skwarren]

Guys I have one more question. I am using a Dovo 3 1/8" strop and I wondered what side should I be using? Should I use the leather textured side or should I be using the smoother tan side? This is the link to the strop that I own. So should I use the side that is pictured or the other side. And if I used the wrong side will I need to re hone my razor?

[Yannis]

Only the smoother tan side is for stroping.

If your stropping motion was correct I dont believe that you dulled the edge.
Remember go slowly , try x motion and dont lift up the spine until you end the total number of strokes (the spine must be in contact with strop continously from the begining to the end of all number of strokes)

[skwarren]

I think that things will go alot better tonight then!

[Yannis]

with your razor probably is not the necesity to make x patern but it is the right way indifferent the type of razor you have, so learn the driving in the right way from the beginning!
more haste less speed, to make fine wine takes time!

[kbuzbee]

No words of wisdom here, we're in the same boat (almost exactly) only encouragement!

We newbies will get there one day (and come back to there early posts for a laugh, eh??)

Take care and good luck!

Ken

[skwarren]

Thanks Ken

I think that this has been the only time in my life when I am awaiting the day that I can shave. Instead of it being some sort of horrible thing I have to suffer through it is something that I am looking forward to.

Actually last nights shave went alittle better. I would attribute this to using the correct side of the strop. But I am still having to really work at keeping the blade at the correct angle. I will get it one day, but guys like Lynn make it look so easy in the vid!

[Jimbo]

Thanks Ken

I think that this has been the only time in my life when I am awaiting the day that I can shave. Instead of it being some sort of horrible thing I have to suffer through it is something that I am looking forward to.

Actually last nights shave went alittle better. I would attribute this to using the correct side of the strop. But I am still having to really work at keeping the blade at the correct angle. I will get it one day, but guys like Lynn make it look so easy in the vid!

I don't know what you call what I have - maybe moderate experience - but that feeling has never gone away for me: I always look forward to shaving now. I bet some of the guys who've been doing it for decades still feel that way too.

James.

[kbuzbee]

... but guys like Lynn make it look so easy in the vid!

Amen, Brother!

It's guys like him (and many of the other good folks around here) that give me hope....

I can see where using the right side of the strop would help! It's always the little stuff, isn't it???

I have a lot of strop learning to do. That I know!

Ken

[JMS]

I don't know what you call what I have - maybe moderate experience - but that feeling has never gone away for me: I always look forward to shaving now. I bet some of the guys who've been doing it for decades still feel that way too.

James.

I know I still feel that way! For a very short while I dropped straights and went to electric. I think it was in 2000. I had just got a new job and wanted to save a little time. It lasted less than a month. then I tried the Atra two blade cartridges. Again, lasted less than a month. I went back to straights and never looked back and have always looked forward to shaving with a straight!