Hello. YAFSP.

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?

Welcome to SRP.

Its probably your technique, it will take a week or so to really get the hang of things, so stick with the cheeks for now.

Get a shave ready razor and if you haven't already, be sure to get a copy of Lynn's DVD.

Others will be along soon.

Welcome aboard. I think you might need a stone between the DMT 1200 and the Spyderco UF. I have both and they are good hones in their own right. The DMT sets bevels really fast and I use it every time to begin the process of getting a razor shave ready. I use a Norton 4000/8000 for in between to get the razor ready for the Spyderco. The Spyderco is used for the final polish just before the plain leather stropping. Honing a razor has a longer learning curve and more difficult than shaving. Keep going and things will eventually fall into place.

bj