Yet Another 1st Shave 1st post Thread

[skwarren]

Just picked up my first straight razor set from Vintage Blades and I am very impressed with everything. Jim threw in some more goodies too and I had a hard time deciding which soap to use for the first time. I also really appreciate Jim helping me with the order to make sure that I got everything that I wanted.

I did have some problems though. I had some trouble with the razor pulling on the beard a little more than I thought that it would. The razor was honed by Lynn, so I figured that it must be something that I did or didn't do. I did strop the razor at least 30 times but I am sure that the angle that I used to shave was just barely adequate to maintain the shave. I also did a hot towel both before and after I lathered up.

So what should I do? I did the HHT and I could feel the hair sticking and jumping around on the blade. Did I get the pulling because of technique or is my razor truly shave ready? Or should I use more pressure while shaving?

I also ordered the World of Shaving DVD from Lynn and wanted to thank him for the wealth of information presented on the disc and on this forum.

So guys let me know what you think I did or didn't do and I will try and adjust to really get the closet shave possible.

Kyle

[Dewey]

Welcome to SRP and the world of str8 shaving! Congrats on your first time out of the gates! AFA the pulling, it's possible you didn't strop as perfectly as possible and dulled or folded over the edge of your razor. I have yet to experience a Lynn honed razor, but by all accounts, they are usually very very sharp. I would carefully watch the technique on the strop and hit it about 60 laps before your next shave (at which time, maintain that 30 degree angle). See what it gets you and if you still have problems with pulling, contact Lynn (adjustme69). I think he says he'll touch up your razor for you.
Happy Shaving -

[Yannis]

congratulation for the first shave and welcome!
With a staight razor the feeling of the razor in your skin is different, so you must shave several times to adopt it and to understand how much pressure is needed.
Shaving with a straight razor is as driving, think the first time driving a car and how you drive now.

Yannis

PS: I dont believe that your razor has problem if it is honed by Lynn
and it is early for HHT, just strop slowly and shave.

[pilothaz]

Congrats on the shave.

I concur with the other members saying that it was probably not the razor itself but with technique. You will get a feel for it once you are more into the groove for it. For my first time, I remember feeling the pull and it was ALOT of pull. I thought, "how do these fools do it" but it was a combo of my angle and that it was not recently honed. That problem is fixed now.

You will get it and just keep at it

[izlat]

Welcome!

Unfortunately, I have heard several times about new members dulling their shave-ready on the first stropping. I myself didn't manage to do it, and hope you didn't either - but it is kind of common...

HHT is very relative; I use it with decent results.

Anyway - good news is that Lynn will touch it up for you

Good luck!
Ivo

[sebell]

My first straight razor shave was also from a Lynn honed razor,
and I also experienced a pulling sensation. There's absolutely
nothing wrong with my razor, which is wonderfully sharp. The
next few shaves improved dramatically as I learned the proper
stropping and shaving technique.

I suspect that the most likely cause of the pulling that you are
experiencing is razor angle: too shallow will pull on the whiskers
no matter how sharp the blade is!

- Scott

[xman]

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you monkey around with increasing the pressure on your skin with the razor. Just trust me on that. If you're not getting the shave you want it's either your blade angles, beard prep or sharpness. Sounds like the prep is good and the sharpness too so I'm with the other guys that it's likely a technique issue. Try lowering the angle of attack and leading slightly with the tip. That's a lower shaving angle and an increased cutting angle. I'm wondering if you even stropped before the shave?

X

[Ron A]

Hi,
Welcome. Be patient. I wouldn't use the HHT as the definitive test for sharpness. To a degree, it might be overrated. I've honed my razor so it shaves wonderfully well--super sharp--but the blade struggled to cut through the HHT. So, I'd say the pulling is techique--either stropping or shaving. It will come.

R

[skwarren]

Hey thanks guys for the words of wisdom! After reading the replies I am begining to think that it is really the angle of my blade. The sides that I did shave with the straight are so much closer than the rest of my face that was shaved with the mach 3. So I am already sold, I just want to get very proficent very quickly so I can have that same closeness all over.

Just wondering, how many of you guys use a pre-shave oil?

[jnich67]

For me, pre-shave oil does not provide any additional benefit and tends to gunk things up. With a good cream or soap, glide is not an issue for me.

Welcome aboard.

Jordan