Thread: 6 Shaves Done

I got a new shave ready Wapi from Mike Ratliff at the Well Honed Razor. His service is superb. He also included 2 free sample soaps which lather great. Shave #1: On my first shave I went slowly. The cheeks and neck area came ok. It is awkward trying to find the correct grip and angle. I had trouble with my chin, under the nose and my jawline. I got three small weepers from some old razor bumps. I lost count on the number of passes. I finished ATG with my Merkur Classic. Shave #2: On my second shave, it got a little easier. It will take me a while to figure out the jawline, and under the nose. My chin and cheeks came good. No cuts this time. Some of the other areas were mediocre. I could not figure out why my shave was not so close. When I used the DE on the final pass I realized that I had forgotten to stretch the skin. Again, I lost count of the passes. It is a lot of fun. I have to remind myself that too many passes will cause irritation. When I was showering my jawline hurt a little bit. There was no redness. Finished ATG with Merkur 1904 open. Shave #3: I will try my third shave later today. I was stropping and I cut my forearm when the blade slipped off my old belt. My cheeks came good, but I was not able to get anything else. I finished ATG with Merkur 1904 open. I love to learn new skills. I love the sound the razor makes when cutting whiskers. Shave #4: I shaved my armpits. The str8 was awkward, and I got a red rash from being aggressive. Shave #5: The shave hurt. I thought the blade was dull. It passed the HHT so it must be my technique. I shaved with the blade against my face. It was not cutting anything. I got a scratch near my temple. Maybe straights are not for me. I could not get the angles right on my neck. I finished ATG with Merkur 1904 open. After the shave I realized that if I turned my head in different directions, I could reach my neck easily. I reread Chris Moss Guide to Str8 Shaving. It seems when the blade is flat that it pulls and does not cut at all. That is why my shave yesterday sucked. Shave #6 : I felt more confident starting the shave. I knew what I had done wrong; and how to fix it. I worked on my angles. I was able to get a mediocre shave. I tilted the blade and started moving downward before touching skin. It resulted in a much better shave. The scratch from yesterday started to bleed. I still need to work on the jawline, under my chin and right under my nose. I finished ATG with Merkur 1904 open. My shaves are starting to get better. I think I am getting the hang of it.

Shave #4: I shaved my armpits. The str8 was awkward, and I got a red rash from being aggressive.

Shave #5: The shave hurt. I thought the blade was dull.

This may be a result of Shave #4 above!

I salute you enthusiasm! Straight shaving rules!

You mention a belt used for stropping. How many passes are you doing to strop your razor? One of the hot topics in the last few days is the old article posted by AFDavis regarding edge corrosion. Improper in insufficient stropping is probably the single most likely culprit to a well honed razor shaving well a handful of times and then seeming to be dull.

Please elaborate on your stropping methods.

Chris L

scruffy i really enjoyed reading your story. i look forward to more of your updates It looks like you are already getting the hang of straight razor shaving.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

This may be a result of Shave #4 above!

I salute you enthusiasm! Straight shaving rules!

The thought did cross my mind. But the razor did pass the HHT test.

Originally Posted by Chrisl

You mention a belt used for stropping. How many passes are you doing to strop your razor? One of the hot topics in the last few days is the old article posted by AFDavis regarding edge corrosion. Improper in insufficient stropping is probably the single most likely culprit to a well honed razor shaving well a handful of times and then seeming to be dull.

Please elaborate on your stropping methods.

Chris L

I think last week I was doing 25 laps. This week I thought that 25 was insufficient. I started doing 60. I do a X pattern across the length of the belt. I know that I should get a regular strop, but I am undecided as to which TM one to get. I figure I will make up my mind one of these days.

Stick with it. The learning curve for straights is steep, and you'll continue learning throughout the rest of your life. If I remember correctly it took my nearly six months before I could get rid of my DE razors