In at the deep end!

Hello,
I've been DE shaving for about two years now. First with a small Gillette, & since May, a Merkur Futur with feather blades. I've suffered badly with ingrowns. Technique & prep improvements, along with finding a blade that suits have helped, but there's always been one spot that the stubble just can't make up it's mind on where it's heading! A product called Nads (unfortunate name in England!) finally seems to have sorted that out.

I'd like to thank everyone in the various forums whose threads have helped me tremendously since i've discovered the sites!

As i stumbled deeper into DE shaving the desire to master the straight began to creep in! At this point I'm ashamed to admit i disregarded sensible advice that i had gleaned about buying shave ready from a member & bought an all stainless Dovo from Ebay. Not my ideal scale choice but the right price!

Many hours of youtube videos had filled my time while i waited impatiently for the kit. The razor arrived on the 16th July. The condition was perfect, but very dull. This was followed by a Jemico Russian/ canvas strop on the 30th & DMT Dia-sharp's in 1200 & 8000 on the 31st. The 1200's going nowhere near it, but will be relegated to tools!

Well, with great concentration the razor was gently honed before stropping.

THE BURN!! Never had razor burn before, but i have had now! Back to the stone again & then on to the strop. The feel of the strop seems so natural to me, which really surprised me & I have to concentrate to slow myself down a little.

In the few short days since then the razor will now pass the 'Hanging Hair' test over the entire blade & the shaves are so smooth & close with no irritation! How smug do i feel! I've received a nick every time i've used it (every day till it's mastered!) but it's great!:yI've got a long way to go but it's all coming so easily at the moment, I just wanted to let everyone know & thank those whose advice to others has made the transition far easier than i thought possible!

Cheers guys! :tu

Ben

You really are doing great ... stainless razors are a little harder than most to hone. A wonderful success story!

Congrats! That is quite a success and you should be proud.
I was determined but did not begin to have good shaves for many months. Just a slow learner... ;-)
Welcome to the world of straights!!! Enjoy the journey!

Thanks fella's,
It's been quite frustrating with the DE at times. Got the technique improved & was really keen to try a straight. I really enjoy the process with the prep & building a lather. I feel great after a good shave! It's early days & i'm trying not to get over confident so it doesn't bite me in the a#@e! I've saved my shave today so i can look forward to it later. My wife is rightly bemused by the shaving behaviour!
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Ben

What a great start!

I love hearing the jump into the deep end stories, great job there.....
I think that you actually eliminated a few problems that other newbies to the straight have to over come before you ever picked up the razor.. You already understood proper prep and lather and you probably had a good idea of how razor angle worked for your face... But to tackle a SS razor and hone it to shave ready that is an achievement in itself... And just think it only keeps getting better from here!!!!

Just had that shave! Nicked myself yet again. Was determined not to this time, but found the chin to be a little more awkward than previously.

I never thought i'd enjoy the whole thing this much, despite the almost electric jolt i get when i do cut myself! Still, nothing that the alum doesn't fix!

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel a greater sense of achievement after reading your replies than i did when i finished stropping & tested it this morning!:D

Thanks guys

Way to go Ben! You are a far braver man than I Gunga din. Honing is something I am happy to leave for the pros at the moment. Major kudos to you for achieving shave readiness on a stainless blade.

It was not clear, are you in Blighty? If so, you will probably enjoy & learn much at the UK gathering in September. Check the thread here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...-together.html

Congratulations again mate. The blood loss does diminish with practice & time. I'm at the minor nicks stage now:w

Thanks, I'll have a look at that. My wife may not believe it if i told her i was attending a shaving event though! She'd have me followed! So much to learn though, & it'd be a fantastic opportunity.

Oh, & forgot. Yes i'm this side. Cheers