Thread: First Straight Razor Shave

Hello everyone. I just tried my first straight razor shave. I guess I thought it would go more smooth than it did. I couldn't complete the shave.

I didn't do too bad on the sides, but when I got to the neck and especially the chin, I don't think I have ever nicked myself more in my life.

I think I will concentrate on the sides for more practice, finish with my Gillette, and then progressively do more and more until I can complete the shave.

Also, maybe my prep wasn't good enough, I am not sure, because it felt like I was ripping the hair out. It wasn't pleasant at all.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Is your razor shave-ready and did you strop it?

Welcome to SRP, James...

You have about 3 things that come into play. First, what did you do for your shave prep? Shave prep is just as importance as the shave itself.

Second, was your razor truly shave ready? What was the source of your razor?

Lastly, technique. As already recommended several times it's best to start with just the area between your sideburns and jawlines. And WTG only until are comfortable with the razor in your hands, the feel of it against your face, and the correct angles. Until you feel comfortable it's hard to move to other areas of your face where different movements become necessary.

It sounds as if you did OK on the cheeks, you already know you need to do better prep, when you got to the chin remember that you have to break the contours of you face into smaller flat planes and adjust your stroke accordingly. If beard prep and breaking the contours into smaller flat planes does not help you to improve, it may be your razor. Watch those angles and be sure to stretch the skin!

Originally Posted by flyboy

Is your razor shave-ready and did you strop it?

I believe that my razor was not TRULY shave-ready. I did strop it, but I think I will hone and strop before next use.

Originally Posted by dward

Welcome to SRP, James...

You have about 3 things that come into play. First, what did you do for your shave prep? Shave prep is just as importance as the shave itself.

Second, was your razor truly shave ready? What was the source of your razor?

Lastly, technique. As already recommended several times it's best to start with just the area between your sideburns and jawlines. And WTG only until are comfortable with the razor in your hands, the feel of it against your face, and the correct angles. Until you feel comfortable it's hard to move to other areas of your face where different movements become necessary.

I wet my face, did a hot towel and lathered.

As I mentioned above, I don't think that my razor was TRULY shave-ready. I bought it from classicshaving.com

Thanks.

Hi James,

Welcome to the straight path.. I'm not sure I would go and hone my own razor just before my second shave. You will just bring another variable in the equation. I would recommend sending the razor to one of the pros to get honed so you know it is shave ready. then work on your technique and when the time comes hone your own razor. Another option is to buy a shavready razor from the classifieds.

I started with a shavette, which is very unforgiving btw, but that got the sharpness of the razor out of the equation. Now I have 2 shaveready straights and I'm honing my first..

Well what ever you do .. have fun!

Maarten

Welcome to SRP. Classic Shaving sells shave ready Dovos, but not all of their Dovos are shave ready. I got a shave ready Dovo from CS for Christmas and it is a great shaver. Check your invoice. If it says your Dovo was shave ready, you're set. Otherwise, send it out to a honemeister to get it shave ready. This will give you a baseline for how sharp your str8 should be. You have enough to learn right now without adding another variable (honing) to the mix.

It will all begin to fall into place soon. Enjoy.

Dave

Originally Posted by Tonsor

Welcome to SRP. Classic Shaving sells shave ready Dovos, but not all of their Dovos are shave ready. I got a shave ready Dovo from CS for Christmas and it is a great shaver. Check your invoice. If it says your Dovo was shave ready, you're set. Otherwise, send it out to a honemeister to get it shave ready. This will give you a baseline for how sharp your str8 should be. You have enough to learn right now without adding another variable (honing) to the mix.

It will all begin to fall into place soon. Enjoy.

Dave

I would love to send it out to get it done by a professional. The only thing is, is that I am in Kuwait. The barbers here do not use the kind of straight razor we use. They use a $3 straight razor looking thing that they use flexible disposable blades in. I am not sure if I can get it sharpened here or not, but I will inquire.

I may just have to learn fast.

I am 99% sure you have the same problem as me, where your razor is indeed not shave ready, but simply 'new' (I didn't know new was not the same as shave ready and I nicked myself multiple times in the chin area when I bought it, and again when I sent it in for a bad honing job)