Thread: First Shave.

Overall, I did pretty well. I'm shaving with a 5/8 Wapi I got from Mike R. The thing is beautifully sharp, a real work of art.

I started off with the mustache, using a coup de maitre (sp?) technique. I got a couple nicks setting up the blade before the actual stroke just under the nose, so I'll have to be more careful and work on that.

Next I did the sideburns and cheeks. On this part I need to watch my angle. I found myself coming in too steep, then I would turn the blade too shallow. When i got it right, I could definitely tell though, so I'm thinking its a matter of practice.

After that I kinda lost order, and went for whatever parts of the face were left. So I probably should work on doing things in the same order every time. Is there any order you guys would suggest?

Also, at one point I nicked a knuckle on my left hand that was stretching the skin out for the blade, so I need to be more aware of where the blade ends and begins.

The after-shave was a pretty humbling experience. I noticed a lot of areas where I was probably taking off skin in addition to hair. That being said, it was by far the best shave of my life, I'm really looking forward to getting the hang of it.

As for stropping, I'm going to save that for tomorrow when my strop arrives. I was going to use my belt to try, but upon inspection it's kinda warped, and I'd rather be sure not to damage the edge of the blade.

Any tips you might have, I'd be much obliged.

I guess this would also be the place to mention that I started shaving with a straight razor because I'll be going off to a Maritime Academy in the fall. So I'll need to be shaving everyday, and I'm already at my last wit with safety razors. So I figured it was time to take off the training wheels.

Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions,

-Tex

Congratulations on your shave! Well done!

Just a couple of points, whenever you bring the blade to your face to shave, never let the blade rest on the skin... instant cuts may result from the slightest sideways movement. When doing your coup de maitre, the razor should touch and go... do not place it and then start moving it. This actually goes for all your shaving strokes, start above the skin, blade moving in the correct direction above the skin and then lightly touch down for the stroke... remember to lift the blade from the skin just before the blade stops and this will eliminate 99% of your nicks and cuts.

If the razor doesn't feel like it's cutting well, it's the angle and not a lack of pressure that's the problem. Never bear down on the blade to get it to cut, thats the fastest way to cause razor burn.

The order in which you shave your face rests with you, there is no right or wrong... I start right side first, working my way down until half my face + a bit extra is done, then switch hands (because I can.. you don't have to when starting out) and do the other side. Some gents start with the chin which is often the toughest part and the freshly stropped blade helps make the job a bit easier.

And yes, watch that blade, never put it down without covering it with the scales. Never wave it about. It's bloody sharp and can do serious damage if dropped or even if you just bump into it when it's lying on the counter in an open state. Dropping a blade on your bare foot could lop off a toe! Just be mindful and never be lazy with it... it's quite safe when handled properly but it does not respond well to inattention.

Best advice I can give you is if it doesn't feel safe, it isn't. Stop, think about what you are about to do and see if there isn't a more comfortable or safer way to go about what you are trying. With some practice, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about when you first started.


Good luck and happy shaving.


Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Congratulations on your shave! Well done!

Just a couple of points, whenever you bring the blade to your face to shave, never let the blade rest on the skin... instant cuts may result from the slightest sideways movement. When doing your coup de maitre, the razor should touch and go... do not place it and then start moving it. This actually goes for all your shaving strokes, start above the skin, blade moving in the correct direction above the skin and then lightly touch down for the stroke... remember to lift the blade from the skin just before the blade stops and this will eliminate 99% of your nicks and cuts.

Thank you, That's probably just the advice I needed.
Also, I was sure to keep the pressure light, since I read multiple accounts stressing that point, but I will need to watch the angle.

Originally Posted by CaptainTex

After that I kinda lost order, and went for whatever parts of the face were left. So I probably should work on doing things in the same order every time. Is there any order you guys would suggest?

Go HERE and find the PDF called "Razor Central Manual". A little more than halfway through, there is a diagram with a numbered-shaving pattern. I believe this is what barbers use to consistently shave their patrons, and is probably a great way to start yourself. I'm trying to follow it, but my ADD likes to pull the blade wherever.

If you keep the pressure light and you have a good coat of lather, you can vary the angle quite a bit without running into too much trouble and it's quite helpful in learning what works and what doesn't. There is no *perfect* angle to shaving.... I try to keep the angle shallow which cuts the easiest but there are areas on my face where I will use a shockingly obtuse angle, almost scraping instead of cutting my beard off. It's a trick used by many to catch those otherwise elusive hairs that seem to take evasive action when shaving normally. The trick is keeping the pressure light and learning not to get carried away in the search for ultimate perfection... Good, is good enough!

Regards

Kaptain "Know when to say when" Zero