First few shaves (i.e. First Blood...)

[Buzz]

I spent last week assembling the needed gear. I bought 3 razors, sizes 4/8, 5/8 and 6/8 plus one of Tony's paddle strops. I also bought and watched Lynn's DVD, plus read the guide by Dr. Moss.

Here are my first few days.

Day 1
Started with the middle of the pack, the 5/8 marked Felt Pad Razor Works. Bought shave ready from JoshEarl.

Once I had the razor in my hand, I admit being pretty apprehensive. Looking at photos on the internet is a far cry from holding a piece of gleaming steel in your hand.

I had the bathroom to myself and was ready to proceed in privacy.

I did my cheeks first. I was relieved not to have cut my face off and decided to push my luck. I was able to complete the WTG and XTG passes with just one cut. I did not attempt an ATG pass. The cut was a result of the wrong motion and blade angle as I lifted the razor off my face.

The chin area was difficult. I couldn't seem to figure out the right combination of hand position and blade angle.

By my normal DE standards, the result would qualify as a poor result in terms of closeness and comfort. However, I was glad to have survived with only a flesh wound.

[Buzz]

Day 2
Went with a 4/8 Geo Korn razor. This one came from Amyn and was also shave ready.

I felt a bit more confident. The razor was smaller, so some things were easier. Again, I was able to complete the WTG and XTG passes.

This time I got away with only one small nick from the point. My styptic pencil closed that right up. The lightweight 4/8 seemed a bit forgiving since there were a couple of other times that I felt the point, but didn't get cut.

The resulting shave improved in closeness, but the comfort was worse. Some redness and irritation along my jawline. A bit of Corn Huskers Lotion helped.

[Buzz]

Day 3
Today, I brought out the Dovo 6/8 Best Quality. This one came shave ready from Tony Miller along with my paddle strop.

I liked the heft of the heavier razor right away. The larger size seemed to make the blade angle a little easier to control. I also liked the rounded point.

The WTG pass went well. I did XTG and was still trying to work out the right angle of attack for that chin area when I touched the blade down wrong. Gash. Hoo-boy, that was a gusher.

To make matters worse, my wife heard me say "Ouch!" and turned to see the carnage. The styptic pencil had to work hard to close that one up. I might end up with a scar to show for that mistake.

Today's shave was the poorest of the three in terms of closeness. Basically no irriation, but not smooth.


Where to go from here
I'm putting the Dovo away for a week or two. I'm going to work with the 5/8 exclusively for a few days and see where I land.

[SteveS]

Day 3

Hoo-boy, that was a gusher.

Well done! You got two shaves further than I did before giving yourself a long-lived badge of honor!

I'm putting the Dovo away for a week or two. I'm going to work with the 5/8 exclusively for a few days and see where I land.

I'd give your face a few days to heal if I were you. Opening up the original wound with each shave will undoubtedly make the scar longer lived.

[Buzz]

I just looked in the mirror. It was such a clean cut that once the skin closed, it has sealed back pretty well.

I'll have to check it out in the morning. A rest could be in order.

[SteveS]

I just looked in the mirror. It was such a clean cut that once the skin closed, it has sealed back pretty well.

Good. The slices I gave myself---one on my first shave and one on about my fifth---have almost completely disappeared now that almost eight months have passed.

[dave5225]

Once I had the razor in my hand, I admit being pretty apprehensive. Looking at photos on the internet is a far cry from holding a piece of gleaming steel in your hand.

I had the bathroom to myself and was ready to proceed in privacy.

I did my cheeks first. I was relieved not to have cut my face off and decided to push my luck. I was able to complete the WTG and XTG passes with just one cut. I did not attempt an ATG pass. The cut was a result of the wrong motion and blade angle as I lifted the razor off my face.

The chin area was difficult. I couldn't seem to figure out the right combination of hand position and blade angle.

That sounds like my first shave with a straight . I was afraid I would slice a piece of my face off .