Thread: 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?

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!