Thread: first shave

I have been shaving for nearly 2 months with a DE and was getting good results so I figured I'd screw everything up and go for a straight, here's the short story.

Tools:
ERN (see below)
TM beginner strop
Body shop shave cream
Vulfix (crappy) badger brush
Body shop Arbor asb


Day 1.
I received my vintage ERN razor yesterday see here: ( http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=17026 ), with a TM beginner strop, making today the first day I've shaved with the thing. It is lighter than expected.. but anyhow
here's how it went:

After my usual shower/conditioner in the shower, I jumped out and lathered up. I stropped the razor as best I could for about 30 passes, as I tried to learn the technique (which didn't take long, but speed is still slow - technique is more important than speed to me). I relathered, and then began to shave.

Pass 1:
WTG down. Managed both sides of the face, the neck and the lower part of the chin, had a bit of trouble with the upper lip but persevered. Razor is catching/sticking a tiny bit but this is probably my technique/blade angle rather than the blade

Pass 2.
Relather then, XTG, both cheeks were ok once more, I used a buffing type of technique, though keeping the blade angle consistant was tricky. This is where I got a one hairline cut (as I moved the skin under the blade.) I missed a few spots at the jawline and on the upper lip.

Pass 2.5.
Touchup. I usually relather certain areas and reshave them, this time I did both my cheeks XTG in the opposite direction, just under the jaw line and the sides of my lips. This was most difficult with the straight but again I worked with the blade, light touch.

Finisher.
There were one or two stray hairs that I caught with the DE, but this was so minor it is barely worth mentioning. ASB applied

Tally:
Cuts: 2 (one pinpoint, one line - both non bleeders that closed up between passes, both just below my lower lip) less problems than with the de.

Skin:
feels good.. Looks better than it would with the DE. Overall, happy. Nice close shave

Tips for future:
Practice stropping.
A little pressure goes a long way.
Actually felt easier to shave the left side with my right hand than my left (did on pass 2, tried left hand on pass 1) Will try to learn how to shave with my left.

Overall, success.

Congratulations. I'd say that counts as great success for your first time. On mine I got cocky and stopped paying attention for about 2 seconds. That was long enough...it is amazing how far into your skin that sharp blade can get before you feel it

I agree, sounds like you did a pretty good job. Nice work.

congratulations

Very well done indeed! The shaves just keep getting better
from here.

- Scott

Day 2

Above products used with the added bonus of glycerin to the lather
Nicked the strop a few times as I realised yesterday I stropped, but didn't strop quite right

1st pass:
WTG, Sides went well, neck went well. down strokes around the mouth are hard to get right, struggling with the first pass in this area only.

2nd pass:
ATG, No problems here, managed it reasonably well


Cut tally:
1xjust under the chin (straight)
2x pinhole cuts one on the side of the jaw, one above the upper lip

Day 4

Same products (incl glycerin) this time with 1 extra day growth (which makes life harder). Stropping is getting easier and I'm still stropping before and after I shave so I can get the practice. Should note that it was bbs in the end, and a 1 pass touchup in the early evening meant BBS all day!

1st pass
WTG - all well except the chin curve, really tough to do.

2nd pass
XTG, again no problems here aside that chin curve

Cut tally:
1 pinhole cut on the right side
1 1/4 inch cut near the left side of the lips
1 ear nick left side (still trying to master that side)

Overall I am learning more about how to use the left hand for the left side, and my speed is picking up. Strop is a bit worse for wear after the last few days but my technique is much much better, I have plans to get a better strop in future (an artisan) but baby steps.

congrats! I'm still waiting for the BBS. went a bit heavy handed today as I was shaving while frustrated.

Piece of advice... don't do that.

Day 5 - The journey towards BBS

Today was an odd day, I didn't feel like shaving on a sunday but I did it anyway, note that this would make it about 15-20 hours since the last shave. I lathered up as usual with an extra foamy lather, no major changes to the routine

2 passes as usual. but this time I managed to get closer than ever before, even managed to get an acceptable decent shave below the chin.Overall today was the best shave I've had with a straight.

Cuts tally day 5:
2 minor pinhole cuts (one where I lopped the head off a small pimple, one a pore so I'm getting close.

Hard to imagine I only started 5 days ago to be honest.

great 1st time shave, but watch the pressure on the strop. the weight of the blade should be enough.