First Shave, OUCH, any advice?

I decided to try a straight razor because the electric razors I been using all my life (Norelco) just weren't getting to certain spots without skin damage and the shave didn't last long like in my past younger days. The razors in the stores with like 5 blades all in one handle look like over-priced plastic pieces of crap. So I bought from ClassicShaving.com a PRE-SHARPENED Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel 5/8. I put a lot of faith in their statement:
"As a customer service, the razors in our Thiers-Issard inventory labeled "PRE-SHARPENED" have been additionally hand honed in the USA by a ClassicShaving Sharpening Expert before being returned to our inventory".
So here's how the first shave went with 2 day stubble. There was some blood but minimal. I suppose technique will develop over time. Otherwise I found it pretty painful. That was the biggest turn off and I had to abort on the chin.
Now I don't know if the above statement "pre-sharpened" is true and it is sharp enough or maybe I was going too slow with the blade.
It seemed as the blade was pulling on the stubble rather than cutting it but keep in mind I was hesitant of going too fast. I had to dig in to get results but at the same time I was a little afraid to dig in and move the blade faster and end up with a nasty cut. When I tried it on a leg the hair came right off, no issue.
So my questions are:
Am I moving too slow?
Even though I drew blood is this blade sharp enough (because it was bought from a reputable company)?
Is this normal because perhaps my skin is not used to a blade?
What is the best degree to hold the blade?
:shrug:

Most of the trouble you're having is likely due to inexperience and technique that need refining. I've shaved with razors sharpened at Classic Shaving and they were just fine so that's probably not your issue. If there's a problem with the edge it's more likely that it was dulled with improper stropping technique. The first question I'd as is where'd you learn your stropping technique?

Again, the biggest trouble your having is likely from inexperience and you'll probably need a couple weeks to a month to get in a groove. It took me 3 months before I was confident in my technique and probably 6 months before I felt like I was really good at it.

Go slow. Keep your angle low and just shave your sideburns to start.

Did you strop? Did you strop lightly? A bad stropping can knock the edge right off your razor.

Another thing to be aware of is that it takes about two weeks for your face to get used to the depilatory action of the straight razor. Don't shave every day during this period.

X

I would take a good look at your lather. Lather is a very important part of your shave. Also make sure you are doing good prep. Shower or hot towels.

You also need to strop before every shave.

Coming from an electric remember this,

No pressure.. the blade should just glide
Angle, Do not get too aggressive with the angle of the razor, no more than 30 degrees

Only go WTG until you are comfortable, then add XTG. No ATG passes until you are extremely comfortable with those 2 passes.

What Soap/Cream are you using and what is your pre-shave prep?

I have been straight shaving for two weeks - but DE shaving for a year.

A god, slick lather will help a lot - I have had y best results from JM Fraser's (Shaving Essential s in the US)

very low blade angle and NO pressure!

try and watch the shaving videos from Jockeys (in the general section) they are good.

keep it up - I just had one of the best shaves so far this am.... it gets better

Barry

get a bottle of Glycerin and add 5 drops to you lather.
Strop your razor 10-20 laps before your shave.
Try using a Hot Towel wrap, works great too.
Go slow and take your time.
Might also try stropping between passes.
Other then that, it's just going to take Time to get it down.. I'm still learning and I have has some very nice BBS shaves.

Hy Stephen,

Welcome to the straight path! The jump from electric to straight is huge so take your time and dont dispair .no pressure, good angle, stropping a razor, good beardprep thos are all skills you will need to aqcuire.

You did good by buying a good, prehoned razor.
Just dont try to shave your whole face the first time.. the chin and upperlip can be really difficult to get smooth.. that just takes practice...


Enjoy the experience and have fun!

Maarten

This is where I screwed up, the lather wasn't right. It dried very fast every time then when I reapplied it was to thin.

The most underutilized section of this forum by newbies are the SOTD posts...
Yes it really is there because we love to show off razor porn, but if you actually read some of the posts a lot of the senior most members on the forum not only post pics, but we list exactly what, and how we used it that day....

There are tons of threads with info, in the Wiki section, on every aspect of shavedom, which make for great reading and watching, but if you want an up to the day report of what people are using, check out the SOTD threads too....

Listen to all these guys. One of the suggestions I got was to only shave your cheeks the first couple of shaves, until you get comfortable with the correct angle, speed, lather and so on. There are alot of aspects to str8 shaving that you can not learn in one day. Or even a couple of months. I've only been using a straight razor for 2 months now and I'm just learning how "NOT" to put to much pressure on the blade while I shave. That, and I like to try to rush every now and then when I do shave. That just gets me a nick here and there. If I take my time and enjoy the shave, I get much better results! Don't give up man, you get the best shave of your life with a str8 and when it all comes together, it will be FANTASTIC! Congratulations and Welcome! God Bless!:tu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stephen436

Now I don't know if the above statement "pre-sharpened" is true and it is sharp enough or maybe I was going too slow with the blade.
It seemed as the blade was pulling on the stubble rather than cutting it but keep in mind I was hesitant of going too fast. I had to dig in to get results but at the same time I was a little afraid to dig in and move the blade faster and end up with a nasty cut. When I tried it on a leg the hair came right off, no issue.
So my questions are:
Am I moving too slow?
Even though I drew blood is this blade sharp enough (because it was bought from a reputable company)?
Is this normal because perhaps my skin is not used to a blade?
What is the best degree to hold the blade?
:shrug:

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It is true, these razors are probably very sharp. It seems more like an angle issue to me. Since you are asking about angles, permit me to recommend you the following illustrated page of what the experts recommend for angles in the different pases. As newbies goes, you should start by only shaving in the direction of the grain the easy parts of your face (your cheeks) with the straight at first and leave neck, etc for later when your technique improves. The wiki is an outstanding resource to answer question, have checked these:

Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Stropping before every shave is very important, particularly after your first shave. Since you likely would get there soon, let me point you in that direction:

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

In terms of preparation, the wiki has a great section about it I cannot stress the importance of bear preparation for good results. Also, using good quality products:

chaphttp://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Get_a_better_shaving_result_by_improving_your_prep arationter

The wiki also has good sections on building lather if you think that could be part of the problem, check these out:

Illustrated Guide to Making Basic Soap Lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Illustrated quide to making basic cream lather in three different ways - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Illustrated Guide to making Überlather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...-homemade.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...od-lather.html

Good luck the next time and please let us know how it goes.

Al raz.

For angle try this just on your cheek. Lay the razor *flat* on your face and take a short stroke. Probably won't shave anything since the edge might not even be on the skin. On the next stroke in a different spot try lifting the spine off your face just a little bit (5* to 10*?). Next stroke try 20*. Go to where it shaves well and then compare to the angle you used for your first shave. If there's a big difference in angle then that was most likely your problem. If the feel is the same where it shaves well then you can move on to address some other problem. Prep, strop technique (it's possible to damage/degrade the edge by stropping incorrectly.), etc.

Just keep shaving. The learning curve is measured in months, not shaves. Read the forums and watch the videos, but just keep shaving. If you persist, you cannot fail, but if you give up, you will never know what you missed.

Scott

Good info from everybody above.. also be really gentle.. you don't need very much pressure with a sharp straight...too much and it can hurt

Here's my two cents, for what it's wort (which even in this economy, two cents won't buy you much).

Firstly, as mentioned before, shave prep is awfully important with a straight razor. Personally, I like to actually put my face right in to the spray of the shower right before I hop out and shave then. I find that the good blast of hot water jelps to soften my stubble a bit more than just the steam and hair washing run off.

When lathering, remember it's the slickness that's going to help your comfort levels. Make sure not to mix your lather so dry that it seems very nice and thick, but is actually a little sticky.

When you get to the actual shaving, contort and pull your face to get the skin nice and tight. This actually does make a difference in the feeling of the shave, not just the closeness. Don't be afraid to actually grab ahold of your skin and pull it where you need it to go. Also remember soap is cheap. If your grip is slipping on your lather when you're trying to shave, just wipe it off where your trying to pull and throw some more lather on when you're done.

Now, this is the most important piece of advice I can pass on. Don't give up or get discouraged. You actually will notice a difference every couple shaves. For one, your face will get used to being raked with a razor, for two you'll just get better as you go. My first two shaves were atrocious, by shave seven or so I could get a pretty close, pretty comfortable shave. More close and comfortable than I could get with a Bic anyhow. You'll continue to improve for months, but your first few shaves will likely all improve by leaps and bounds.

Oh, and lastly, for the chin. If you can, just pull your chin up as far as you can and do it down to where your chin curves, then stretch the skin as far as you can the other way and shave under your chin. If you're lucky, you may not have to shave the sudden curve at all. :P

Stephen - as a fellow newb, I agree that the beginning is hard, frustrating & even discouraging - but look at the great reaction, information & support you are getting from this welcoming, knowledgable group! If they can do it (and the many, many others who came long before us & succeded) then so can we - stick with it, take it slow & enjoy. Martin

:gl: