Thread: my first (and a half) shave

well, I am home from work (for other reasons) today, and had time to take it slow and easy, and prep the way I wanted to - both the razor, and the face.
slightly longer than normal shower - washing face thoroughly (using Alata soap).
Hot hot soaked brush - I used the 2 minute bowl in microwave method described elsewhere on this site.
I don't know what kind of brush - I got it from a set that was on clearance a few months ago @ Target.
Some wal-mart shave soap "deluxe Shave Soap - Van Der Hagen enterprises" is what it says on the box.
I did a first lather (I'm still working on getting just the right thickness), then off to the strop for about 50 laps.
Back to the sink for a rinse and 2nd lather.
Now, my technique is lacking, I need way more practice on my shave stroke, but it didn't go too bad, and I noticed some things I'll try in order to improve my tech next time. Only some slight pull. I need to really be mindful of my blade angle - I kept noticing I would want to put it way too low, or way too high. I scared myself a couple times with the too low angle, and thinking that I had nearly sliced off and nice thin sheet of skin!
I only went WTG, and I keep a goatee, so it was just cheeks, and neck. It's probably also important to note that my jawline is rather forgiving, and not too sharp. Even as thin as I am, I have a "fat" face. So, that helps.
No real nicks, minor discomfort, but after a hot final rinse, it was fine. Did a quick plain old alcohol splash, and was done. I could stand to clean it up a bit with the Mach3, but I'm not that worried about it, and it's only noticeable if you look close.
I know the razor isn't "dull", but I'm sure it's far from being as sharp as it should be. I'm interested in seeing the difference in this one, and something that's "sharp".

It was nice giving myself a slow, deliberate, hot shave.

Congrats on the first shave, good to hear that there were no "issues"

Sounds like that razor is great. You might try stropping on newspaper to sharpen it up a little. Or I use fireplace ash on a linen strop too. You can do a search on these techniques.

Sounds like your razor is already there.

Thanks DwarvenChef!!

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Sounds like that razor is great. You might try stropping on newspaper to sharpen it up a little. Or I use fireplace ash on a linen strop too. You can do a search on these techniques.

Sounds like your razor is already there.

honestly, I hope not. While it didn't "pull" too bad, or "hurt", it was far from anything that I would consider "comfortable". It was very loud as well. The scratching / scraping sound kept me awake and paying attention though!! :-D Maybe that's just my technique?

I was very slow, and VERY deliberate. I just feel like it should/could be sharper, and that the feeling of the shave itself was not right. call it intuition, or whatever, but I don't think it's quite there.

Also, not anywhere near BBS - but, that's probably the WTG only.

One last thing, it doesn't seem like it's anywhere close to passing the HHT.

Well you'll have some comparisons soon enough. A straight does pull a little and they do make quite a bit of noise

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Well you'll have some comparisons soon enough. A straight does pull a little and they do make quite a bit of noise

Yeah, I was expecting the noise... I just didn't know how loud. Thanks for the input.
If it is that close to a good edge, I don't think I'll be able to do an ATG until my technique / razor handling gets much, MUCH better!!