My face is destroyed but i have never had so much fun.

Hello all, I am absolutely new here. I purchased a fairly sharp razor off ebay as well as a Franz swaty hone and a leather/canvas strop. I have shaved twice now. It cuts the hair on my face but not absolutely smooth and my face is fairly cut up. My thinking is my technique is needing patience and time, however i cant seem to pass the hair test. I am sure a sharper blade would reduce any excess friction. Need i buy a better hone or strop. and/or do folks use diamond pastes on ordinary strops or just paddle strops.? Any help would be appreciated. I wait for my face to heal just to shave again.

well you can sharpen it with most of the tools you mentioned... the hanging hair test is just a test and does not always work the only real test is to lather up and shave.

for a beginner it is usually best to have a razor that has been honed by a honemiester just to ensure that the blade is sharp enough

a sharp blade, well stropped (at least 60 passes up and down your strop) and a low blade angle to the face and your shaves will be much more comfortable


but practice makes perfect and by all means let your face heal completely before using a straight again

Dear Mr. Destoryed Face!
Man you're cracking me up! I love that you are jumping into this, I'm new at this stuff too. The first thing I would do is send that razor out to be professionally honed, then you will know it is shave ready. Check this site for people who will provide this service or check web sites like Classicshaving.com. Don't forget to use a good brush, mug and shaving soap to lather up.
Big shoes, red nose, and white face make up optional! I'm still peeling toilet paper off my face!:tu

thanks guys. i will wait for my face to heal and for my brush to arrive. sadly enough i've been practicing on my thighs and forearm out of boredom.

Proper beard prep is essential but not difficult. Any quality shave soap or cream is fine, a brush.... boar hair will do fine, badger is much nicer and lots of water to soak that beard... after all, it's called wet shaving! :D

Try to let the blade do the cutting, don't lean on it if it's not shaving close. If the blade is leaving stubble behind, it's because it's not as sharp as it should be, not because you're not pushing hard enough on the blade.

Most nicks and cuts occur because of hesitation or from letting the blade touch the skin when it's not moving. The razors edge should be confidently moved in the right direction and only touch the skin while in motion. Start the stroke in the air, gently touch down on the skin during the stroke and lift the blade from the skin before the stroke ends and you'll be fine. Place the blade on your face before you begin the stroke and the minute, involuntary movements of your hand/arm muscles are enough to cause the edge to cut or nick you.

When you get ready to take a stroke/swipe, if it feels awkward it probably is. Yes, I know... everything feels awkward at first but if you really feel unsure about a stroke... think twice and see if there's a better way. In the beginning, I just could not use my left hand but slowly I started using it for what I felt was probably safe to do strokes and as I gained a better feel in my off hand, I could attempt more difficult strokes but I never push the issue. I'm still working on my left hand but my shaves are as close as they can be.... I just would like to bring my left hand up to my right hand's capability for the sakes of convenience.

Hope something I said is of help to you.


Regards

Christian

Reading that made me laugh! You've got a great attitude there. Once that razor is shave ready it will become smoother & you will be able to ease up on the pressure, meaning the chance of cutting yourself will diminish.
I don't use diamond paste, so i'm not 100%, however, i'm fairly confident that they're unsuitable for hanging strops.
Finally, you really are going to have to give yourself the time for this. You can't rush a straight shave. You will get quick at them, but it takes as long as it takes & you need to understand that if you want to enjoy it.
Keep at it!

Hi clown!

I also experienced the same trobble you are facing now. My advice to you is
1. Get the razor honed professionally so you know how a well honed razor should feel
2. DON'T shave your whole face!!! Only shave the sides and only go with the grain the first times. start from the beginning and take the shave in steps. shave one step for three times perfectly and then move to another step, like shaving another section on your face also.
3. Dont use pressure when you shave only sloghtly move the blade through the face. The edge should cut (not pull) the whiskers quite easily without pressure.
4. Use an aprox. 30 degree angle, be very particular with this as it can get really wrong of you have a nother angle especially over 30 degrees.

ps. also make sure you do the proper preparations too before the shave.

I hope this helps:gl:

Hey Clown,
I am pretty new to this myself, been using a straight for about a month. I use it every time I shave, I gave up the M3 the day I got my straight. Like you I got mine from Ebay, and had only a barber's hone. I didn't have a leather strop til this week. All that for this. I got my stuff and jumped in head first. My first couple of shaves were a little rough, but I never picked up the M3, I stuck with my straight. What has worked for me has been my determination to do it right. I recommend looking into the instructional Posts and Videos regarding all aspects of using your straight. From honing and stropping to fopping up lather and shaving your face. And by all means enjoy yourself and please do not get discouraged. This is supposed to be something that you do to treat yourself, not a punishment.

Good luck,
best wishes,

Paul.C

I'm new too, and I do a little damage every time I shave. It's all about technique and that takes practice. Like you, I'm having a blast regardless of the battle scars I wear afterwards. :D

Funny post :) I recall when I first started 5 years ago, the first 5 or 6 shaves would always end up with a nick or two. Slow and easy to see what works and the skill just happens. In 5 years now I can say I have only nicked myself once and I have an excuse. My kid barged in being late for school and bumped me while the blade was at my neck. I was speechless (not from cut jugular mind you) after my kid darted out the door, I remember staring at the mirror with blade in hand imagining my throat gushing like a banshee.. But, luckily self preservation instincts that everyone has, (I hope) made my hand jerk away from disaster, and I only had a chin knick. Needless to say strategy now plays part in my ritual. LOCK THE DOOR!

Hope this helps appease you :D