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

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Buzz

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!

Originally Posted by Buzz

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Buzz

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.

I'll keep this newbie journal running for a week. Maybe some future newbie will benefit on a search.

Upon reflection, one of the main differences between DE and my fledgling rounds with straight shaving is that I don't yet have the confidence and skills to go ATG with my straight razor. An ATG pass is critical with my DE in order to produce a good, close shave. I can't imagine that I'll ever surpass my DE results until I can go ATG.

Day 4
Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday's bad cut is healed enough that I'm safe to shave again.

As planned, I returned to the 5/8 today.

I'm definitely getting better. I was able to accomplish WTG and XTG without spilling any blood! Oh joy!

I even managed to work out a better result on my chin. I employed Lynn's technique of saving the chin until last and then reapplying lather. Making silly contorted faces seems to be one of the keys to getting this area right.

Since I was on a roll (i.e. not bleeding yet), the obvious next step was to go ATG on my neck. I did a few contortions trying to get the right combination of grip, blade angle, and stretched skin. It just wasn't coming together. The blade was skipping and I was clearly headed for trouble.

I stopped.

Two passes with no cuts is a success. No need to punish myself. (Besides, I've already got three cuts healing. Not a great look for the office. )

I did complete an ATG pass with my DE. This final touch gave me a beautifully finished shave. BBS with no irritation or cuts. Very, very nice.

I'm going to accept the compromise of finishing with a DE ATG pass for awhile. There is a lot of room for improvement in the rest of my technique. No need to suffer with lousy shaves while I learn.

All in all, I'm delighted today.

Originally Posted by Buzz

I can't imagine that I'll ever surpass me DE results until I can go ATG.

Congratulations on your progress! But don't be surprised if you think the above statement is false in another month or so.

Originally Posted by SteveS

Congratulations on your progress! But don't be surprised if you think the above statement is false in another month or so.

Really?

You're telling me that it is possible to get a straight shave that is really BBS without doing an ATG pass?

Hmm.... I sure hope you're right.

Hi Buzz,

While I'm not happy to hear about the results of your first shave, at least I don't feel alone. My fears that I somehow ruined the edge of my razor with my clumsy stroping are slowly receding. I think someone with no straight razor shaving experience ought to put out a video to watch alongside Lynn's, sort of a before and after. I'm going to try my second shave tonight. To us both, good luck.