Hello guys,

Yet Another First Shave Post.

I've acquired a couple of old razors (not beaters) and some hones. I've set the bevel on them with a DMT 1200 and then finished them on a Spyderco ultrafine. I've gotten one of the razors to pass the HHT in a small area near the heel but can't achieve it along the whole blade.

Anyway, I decided to do a trial shave tonight and am excited but a little disappointed. I tried the first razor (both are 6/8 and full hollow) and found it a little raspy though I was using a fairly shallow angle trying to be very conservative.

I shaved mainly my right cheek and neck. I did 4 passes and even after this I had not really achieved very much probably having halved the stubble. Maybe like one pass of a DE.

I know my technique probably has alot to do with it, but I also suspect my blade may not be truly shave ready though it pops hairs off my arm with ease. I didn't really prep my beard apart from lather it up really well for 2 minutes or so. I know I should just get a shave ready razor to see what it is really all about.

The second razor was much better and felt much smoother but that could be because I was hitting less stubble with it. I have a tiny amount of razorburn on my cheek and the result doesn't look too bad, but it's far from great.

Is it my razor or my technique? Opinions?