Thread: First "Shave"

Hi all,

Well, I've been lurking here for awhile, pouring over all the information kindly made available to newbies like me. Today, at long last, my Double Arrow and Filly Strop arrived, courtesy of RupRazor.com, and so I figured it was time for me to finally sign on and get some advice.

A bit of background: I've been shaving with a Merkur HD for the last 4 months, using first a Crabtree & Evelyn BBB, and for the last month and a half or so, a Rooney 1/2. At this point, I've been getting BBS shaves for a little while, and am very happy with the results I've been getting with the DE, and with the way my brush technique and lathering has been going. However, I've always been interested in learning to use a straight, and after finding the many online Wet Shaving communities, I decided to pull the trigger on my starter kit for my birthday.

So, upon getting home from work to find a package waiting for me, I opened it up, inspected the razor, and immediately tried the Hanging Hair Test. Nothing. Couldn't get it to cut at all, which was a little disappointing. However, as really the only way to test a razor seems to be to shave with it, I went through my usual pre-shave prep (shower, exfoliate, face lather), and took the plunge.

After slowly getting comfortable, and moving through my shave, I did find the razor did pull a fair amount, as opposed to cutting smoothly through the whiskers. Now, I chalk this up to my utter lack of experience, and imagine this will improve swiftly. I managed to get an OK shave on my cheeks, and on parts of the neck, though there is still definitely a decent amount of stubble in some of the usual trouble spots. However, no blood, cuts, and no horrible razor burn after 2 WTG passes, so I'm definitely calling this a successful first run. My usual post-shave ritual (cold water rinse, straight rubbing alcohol, cold water rinse, Proraso Pre/Post, Moisturizer) did have a definite sting to it, but certainly no more than if I'd been a little rushed with my Merkur.

Now, aside from the chin being a little tricky, the two areas I found that gave me the most trouble were below my lower lip, and the upper lip. While I managed to trim things a little below my mouth, I could not get the razor to cut at all on the upper lip. It would only catch and pull, and did not seem interested to doing the job. I decided, for once in my life, not to be foolish and try and force the issue, so I simply left the area unshaved. I didn't strop the razor before the shave (it having coming wrapped and shave-ready, I felt I should try the edge first, lest I should destroy the edge on my first stropping attempt before I even got a shave in). We'll see if stropping before my next shave helps sort some of this out. Of course, this has me already looking at other razors to add to the collection, most notably some of the larger, heavier wedges, as they are, well, beautiful. But I feel I should probably take a few more baby steps before I start throwing some more elements into the equation.

So, gentleman, up to this point, the information provided by everyone here has been absolutely invaluable, and I credit it with giving me the courage to finally try a straight, and for allowing me to come out relatively unscathed. Thank you all for that. Now, any advice on tackling my touch upper lip would be greatly appreciated! Granted, I've just started on my journey, so patience and experience will probably take care of it, but any tricks or tips would be fantastic. I excited to learning more and more as I go, and hopefully getting the coveted BBS straight shave. Thanks again, and I look forward to any pointers you can give me!

Welcome to SRP.

You did right to shave without stropping, you now have a reference point to compare things with.
Stropping can improve the shave enormously. Do around 60 laps before the shave. Some people even strop mid-shave to tackle tougher areas like the top lip and chin (but they are the exception I think.)

Have you read about the coup de maitre? It sounds more difficult than it really is, but it's obviously not a place you want to force the blade. I suggest doing the move very lightly. If it cuts the hair, fine. If it doesn't, abandon the move. As you become more practiced you will probably find it starts to work.

It's important to keep the skin taut, so curl your lip over your teeth.

You can always go sideways on the top lip, with a slight downward movement to make it smoother, but it's probably best to leave it until you can shave in the downward direction first.

I'm rambling, bit tired. Anyway, don't be afraid to finish up with the DE where you need to, everything will fall into place soon enough.

Hey Ray!

Thanks for the advice! I'd seen the coup de maitre, and gave it a shot, but couldn't get it to cut. Same for going sideways. Just needs more practice. The hair on my upper lip is definitely the toughest I have, I need to go ATG with a DE to even look presentable. Otherwise it just looks like I'm trying to start growing a mustache. I'll keep at it though, and make sure I keep the lips curled over the teeth. That may well have been my problem, not keeping the skin taught enough. I'll give it a shot this afternoon for my next shave.

I didn't strop the razor before the shave (it having coming wrapped and shave-ready, I felt I should try the edge first, lest I should destroy the edge on my first stropping attempt before I even got a shave in). We'll see if stropping before my next shave helps sort some of this out.!

Hi & Welcome to SRP DubiousAtBest,

Im also just learning to use a straight, so I'm a newbie as well.

I think you were right to shave without stropping on a shave ready razor, thats what I did.. and as Ray said, it will give you something to compare when you start stropping...you'll know what a shave ready razor feels like and what to aim for.
I find stropping will help a lot, I also got the Filly strop from Kenrup, it's a great starter strop!

Good luck on your next shave!

Thanks for the kind words Geoff!

So, I now have two more shaves under my belt, and things are moving along nicely. A few little nicks here and there from getting complacent, so I just need to make sure the blade has my full attention. I definitely have been having the lather dry out on my face, something I've never had happen with a DE. After stropping my blade, I found that I could get past the tough areas I was having trouble with before without too much hassle. The neck is still giving me all sorts of problems, but I think that is definitely too be expected. Just means more practice (now if only the beard and skin would recover quicker!). I'm definitely loving this though, and am definitely looking forward to improving. Thanks again to everyone here for all their help!!

Originally Posted by DubiousAtBest

I decided, for once in my life, not to be foolish and try and force the issue, so I simply left the area unshaved.

From now on thy shalt be called LearningFromTheBest - Lynn does it all the time

Originally Posted by DubiousAtBest

I didn't strop the razor before the shave (it having coming wrapped and shave-ready, I felt I should try the edge first, lest I should destroy the edge on my first stropping attempt before I even got a shave in).

If it wasn't stropped your results would in fact not be very good. A lot of people, me included, strop the shave ready razors before they send them out, but perhaps not all do.