First Partial Shave

Well, I received my Dovo 5/8 today from Tony Miller. I decided to test it out with a partial shave. I had a little problem with the lather, but I'm using a cheep boar bristle brush that came with Tony's straight razor starters kit. I ordered a Vulfix 2234 Super Badger brush (22mm I believe, faux ivory) last night, so hopefully I'll be able to get better results with my lather. I had a problem with the lather staying moist on my face--it was drying out mid-shave.

I also did not strop the razor before shaving. I wanted to give it a test shave before trying stropping, in case I mess the edge up.

Anyway, I took my time going along my right cheek. Wasn't the closest shave in the world, but that should come after the learning curve has toned down. The blade glided very smoothly across the cheek (I went WTG). I got a little brave and decided to try a stroke on the neck. Nicked myself twice, and I don't think I removed any of the hair on that stroke. Then I tried my left cheek and the results were poorer than the left side, but that's because of the awkward angle (I kept the razor in my right hand) but I didn't nick myself that that's always good :tu. Finished the rest off with the ol' Mach3.


Anyhow, I thought overall it was a pretty good first (partial) shave. I now have a little expectation of how shaving like this works and can only practice and get better.

PS. The 4 sided paddle strop I bought from Tony didn't have any paste on it. I didn't quite understand what the pastes did before I ordered last week, but now I wished that I added the option to have the other three sides pasted. Oh well, I guess I can always add it later.

Keep on working at it. It is an acquired skill. Before you know it you will be shaving as quickly as a mock 3 . Well not really but the shave will be better.:D

I'm still a newbie , I've been shaving with a str8 for almost 5 months now . I also started with a boar brush I got at Wallgreen's . I got good lather with it but the bristles were constantly falling out , which is a pain in the ass when I'm trying to shave and I have too pick stray bristles out of the lather on my face . I also got a Vulfix 2234 :tu about 4 months ago , and I am VERY pleased with it . You don't say what brand of soap you use but it's normal to need to re-lather during the shave . I use Van Der Hagen shaving soap I get at Wallgreen's . I get a great lather from it and it doesn't dry out , too fast . I hold my brush under running water until it's soaking wet . Then I swirl it around on the soap until I see lather forming on the soap . Then I make the lather on my (already wet) face with the brush , using a circular motion . I get a ton of lather this way . You probably already know this but , it's also very important to thouroghly rinse the soap out of your brush , and shake it dry when you're finished using it . BTW , I also had to finish my first few shaves with a shick disposeable ;) . Take you're time and progress at you're own speed , and ALWAYS pay close attention to what you're doing with the razor , mistakes can be messy :nono: .

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Originally Posted by dave5225

I'm still a newbie , I've been shaving with a str8 for almost 5 months now . I also started with a boar brush I got at Wallgreen's . I got good lather with it but the bristles were constantly falling out , which is a pain in the ass when I'm trying to shave and I have too pick stray bristles out of the lather on my face . I also got a Vulfix 2234 :tu about 4 months ago , and I am VERY pleased with it . You don't say what brand of soap you use but it's normal to need to re-lather during the shave . I use Van Der Hagen shaving soap I get at Wallgreen's . I get a great lather from it and it doesn't dry out , too fast . I hold my brush under running water until it's soaking wet . Then I swirl it around on the soap until I see lather forming on the soap . Then I make the lather on my (already wet) face with the brush , using a circular motion . I get a ton of lather this way . You probably already know this but , it's also very important to thouroghly rinse the soap out of your brush , and shake it dry when you're finished using it . BTW , I also had to finish my first few shaves with a shick disposeable ;) . Take you're time and progress at you're own speed , and ALWAYS pay close attention to what you're doing with the razor , mistakes can be messy :nono: .

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Sorry, I should have said what soap I used. I used a cake of Marvey's Shaving soap. I just got done doing a full shave and nicked my neck twice again (or just reopened the same two nicks). I got a surprisingly close shave for the second time using the straight. I tried going a second pass this time but against the grain and I find the left side of my face is easier to shave than the right when going this way. I should be getting the DVD from Lynn sometime next week (provided he was able to ship it the day after I ordered it) and hopefully I'll be able to see some stroke techniques that will make it easier.

Congrats and welcome aboard.
Good on ya for having a goal (not rushing into it and sticking to a partial shave) and good luck with the learning curve.
Take it slow and easy and remember to let the weight of the razor shave your dexterity will improve with each careful effort and you will be well on your way to smooth shaving in no time.

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Originally Posted by billymeter

Sorry, I should have said what soap I used. I used a cake of Marvey's Shaving soap. I just got done doing a full shave and nicked my neck twice again (or just reopened the same two nicks). I got a surprisingly close shave for the second time using the straight.

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I haven't tried Marvey's soap so I can't comment on it , but maybe someone reading this thread has used it , and will give thier opinion . If you're nicking yourself in the same area of your face when you shave , I think there is a flaw in your technique in that particular area . Pay close attention to what you are doing when you shave that area , and see if you can figure out why you are getting nicked . Keep your blade angle low and go slow . Every shave will be a little bit better than the last one . :)

Starting as well. First day with feather was ok. I got too eager and in mid shave, removed the pro guard blade and replaced it with super professional. in less than 2 seconds I got a nice 1/2"cut. Day 2, back to proguard. Smooooth. Much slower but still working on my technique.