Funny. And thanks

A newbie here. Got fascinated with straight razors from a picture of a razor in a magazine. Sometime around last Christmas. So I googled 'straight razor' and at some point found SRP. Read the forum and followed the links for quite a while. Then decided to try a Shavette. The DOVO importers here (Bulgaria) just don't import it, but they had two smilar products: one that is an exact replica of the Shavette but from a different manuacturer and one that is like the Shavette but holds only the shorter blades. Started shaving with those (and continue to do so - even shaved my head a couple of times). Anyway, about mid february I managed to complete a good smooth shave without cutting myself at all. So decided to buy a real straight razor.
Got one from the classifieds of SRP. Really happy with the purchase.It is an Otto Fromm 5/8. Received it. Stropped. Started to shave. Feels much better than the Shavette like things that I have been using. Actually feels great. Shave not so close, but I am guessing it takes practise, right? No nicks or cuts - on the face. Funny thing is I managed to cut my ear. Didn't hurt much but made me laugh a lot. Complete idiot I am.
Anyway thanks to all you guys for all the information, comments, articles, advice, thanks for helping newbies like me.

*High five!*

Keep at it, I'm just starting to get close shaves and I'm about a month into it.

Good job!

Yes, a lot of the technique does take practice, but it sounds like you're off to a great start!

Did you cut your ear right on the earlobe? I've nicked mine (both sides..) a few times!! It's surprisingly easy to do when you're shaving the sideburn area.

It's only going to get better from here. :tu

That is exactly what happened. And yes, i was really easy, a piece of cake (ear). Anyway I expected to cut myself more than that, so actually I am pretty confident things will get better. Thanks for the encouragement, appreciate it.

Well, in spite of the oops, it sounds like you are starting out well...:gl:

It is not surprising to get your ear cut when you are shaving, it happened to me once. It is apparently more common when you use a spike or a square point (I know you are using a round point). I think that I read a thread where Lynn said something about the size of the blade and cutting the ears. In any case, this is completely understandable.

As you say, perfection and closeness comes with practice. I think that you should focus on getting comfortable shaves and not on the closeness of the shave. Also, there is more to shaving than a sharp razor. You could be experiencing a variety of problems besides the sharpness of the blade in your quest for close shaves. Proper stropping, use of the right angle and pressure, prep your beard and make a decent lather are common causes of not so close shaves. These are all the areas that need to be looked into. In therms of stropping, are you flipping the razor correctly? You may find these useful:

Flipping the Razor

I will also suggest checking out the stropping videos in the general section or watching Lynn's dvd. The wiki also has a section on stropping, here is one:

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Theory of stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Try not set your expectations too high initially and pay attention to the angle and pressure you are using,. Small changes in these can change the entire shaving dynamics. Perhaps these links from the wiki would help:

Basic Shaving Passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The Multiple Pass Shaving Technique - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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

Shaving videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck and definitely let us know how it goes.

Al raz.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I believe I have read all the Straight Razor Wiki articles. There must be surely things that I am forgetting from them, but will make sure to read the articles again and again. I am sure I am flipping the razor correctly. As for the stropping technique I believe there is much to learm for me. I try not to hurry and concentrate on stropping correctly.
Wil report any improvements or setbacks as soon as they happen.
Thanks a lot.

Stropping is VERY! important. A few things to remember:

1) Hold the strop tight.

2) keep the razor flat on the strop.

3) Do not use too much pressure while you strop, barely the weight of the blade.

4) Use the correct flip: on the spine and not on the edge, using a thumb rather than a wrist flip.

5) Aim for proper technique rather than speed.

These should take you a long way.

About the wiki articles, they are like onions: they have layers, and each one only become evident as you have peeled the previous one. You read them 10 times and you would still learn something, or I least that is what happens to me.

Al raz.