Thread: My first two shaves with a straight razor

Shaving cheeks and neck are no longer a problem. No nicks on the last shave (although i didn't do my chin or top lip with it being Movember after all)

I think it just takes a little while to get used to blade angles and grip positions, then smooth sailing (or shaving) ahead.

Anyway, if i were to shorten by broken blade how would i go about doing it, I have a bench grinder i am tempted to use but would rather hear from someone so that the carbon steel doesn't explode and impale me. (this is probably a question for another thread).

I hope this thread has been been of help somehow, or at least entertaining. And all ican say is despite cuts and broken blades it is worth perservering.

If you're going to regrind the tip, make sure you have a water container next to the grinder.
Grind then dip - Grind then dip - Grind then dip. No more than a second or 2 at the spine and just a brief light swipe towards the tip.
Offer the blade up to the wheel face, spine up & edge down in a rolling motion. You can press a little harder on the spine but NOT the thinner blade body. Try not to turn the blade flat although you can vary the angle a little. The spine of course will be forgiving about that but not the blade. You will spend more time on the spine but don't be tempted to grind hard or long - heat will travel to the edge.
Clean up burrs with buff or wetndri etc. Just remember easy does it-

Originally Posted by dward

Rob, may I recommend a copy of Lynn's CD? It's worth its weight in gold. In it he recommends (and I can attest to it) that it's best to start with the area between the sideburns and jawline, and WTG only. Finish the remainder of your shave with what you were using before. Do this until you are comfortable with the angles and manipulation. As you get more confidence add other facial areas, and XG and ATG. No reason to hurry. Be patient. In no time you will know what is truly like to shave!!

I have been using straights for a little less than 3 months now and just starting to get that coveted BBS. Yes, I have had my share of nicks (and a few downright cuts) along the way. But I am finally arrinving there...

+ 1
You are making great progress. Don't be discouraged.