Thread: 3 shaves down! (and many more to go :) )

Today I had my 3:rd take on straight shaving. I finally got my razors in the mail a couple of days ago and I had to test'em out!
I had two alternatives, the vintage Wade&Butcher or the Dovo Shavette.. Guess the choice was quite easy ;D. I don't have a strop yet(ordering one from ruprazor just now) but I figured the W&B was good for at least one go since it was "shave-ready" (thanks Dylan!).
I know, it's probably not the best thing to start out with a 7/8 blade but I just couldn't resist .

As I've read almost everything that has to do with straight shaving online and watched all I could find on youtube I considered myself ready!
I prepped my face, washing it with hot water for several minutes. Made lather with a bar of soap and some glycerin i a glass bowl - lathered up.

I know Lynn (and many others) recommend only shaving one cheek or two the first couple of times but it just went automatic... I made a very light 1,5:ish pass all over the face.
It was a bit frightening at first but I remembered to take it slow and keep the angle! The result was actually pretty good! I don't have that thick beard and my skin is quite sensitive, but after finishing up (cold water and nivea non-alcoholic after shave) It felt really good! I didn't get any rash, burning sensation or ingrown hair(!?) wich is quite strange since my skin often gets irritated for no reason at all....

The second time was almost identical to the first, only difference was that I tried to straighten up the sideburns (jeeez what precision you get from a sharp straight!). The blade felt a little less sharp this time but it didn't rip or pull. Now I'm gonna wait for the strop on this one! I got the first cut this time

Today I tried out the Shavette.... As it is a more "surgical" sharp and thin blade it's waaay less forgiving (as pointed out from many of you) and I got 4 cuts total this time. There wasn't that kind of scratching sandpaper sound either.
I used my alum stick and the cuts retracted, finished up as usual and I can feel the face getting more and more smooth every shave!

I of course have problems with the chin (but hey I'm still a real newbie when it comes to this). I also have a mustasch wich takes away that problem area

That's the story so far!

/Martin

(attaching a pic of my shaving gear, any one knows how old this W&B might be?)

Good job,Martin.Just go slow and learn as you go.You're on the right track.When you get your strop,don't forget to roll the razor over on the spine,and not lift the spine up or you will ruin your edge.

Originally Posted by aroliver59

Good job,Martin.Just go slow and learn as you go.You're on the right track.When you get your strop,don't forget to roll the razor over on the spine,and not lift the spine up or you will ruin your edge.

Yeah, thanks for the tip! I have a couple of run down cheap razors wich I'm going to practice on!