My first "clean" shave, at last!
Today I finally managed to get a shave without cuts. Before I start writing about my expierience, I would like to sincerely thank everyone here. It would be impossible without your advice and tons of knowedgle I found here. Thanks, guys!
I started to complete my shaving set before last Christmas. First I bought Omega badger brush and shaving soap and was using it instead Gillete gel. After some practice in making lather, I found it much better than all canned gels and foams. I bought my first blade about two months later. I was Dovo Pearlex. My first attempt was terrible: the blade was pulling hair and didn't shave at all, it certainly was not shave-ready.
I had two options: to send the blade for honing or try to hone it myself. The first option was sure easier and cheaper, but wasn't really good for long term. I decided to learn to hone myself. I ordered a Norton 4k/8k and bought a Wapi (also not shave-ready) as I didn't want to ruin the Dovo blade. It took me so long to do all these things that I had my first honing sesion just two weeks ago.
Firstly I did few laps on 4k, then some more on 8k side. Then I proceed to a test shave. Finally, I felt that razor was shaving. It wasn't my best shave, but the progress was noticeable. Before next shave I performed an Agressive Pyramid as it was written in SRP Wiki. I finished on a 12k Chinese stone. That was it, the shaving was much easier and more comfortable. I also learned on my face what "razor sharp" meant: any careless or stupid move of blade resulted in a cut.
I shaved 3 times since the honing and today it was first time without cuts. I tried to be as much careful as possible, stretch skin and work out the best angle. It felt really good and relaxing. It was first time when I was able to shave whole face without shaving second time with regular cartrige razor. Some irritation occured, but I was less painful than earlier shaves. One more time, it wouldn't be able without your advice. Thanks!
I thought my biggest mistakes was when razor stopped, due to bad beard prep or angle change, and I was forcing it anyway. Again, cut guaranteed. Now I'm convinced that stretching and good angles are really important.
I am newbie myself, but I hope someone will find my post helpful. I'm shaving with Wapi now, but after I will learn to hone correct I'm gonna start using Dovo. Can't wait till then ;)
Anyway, thank you once again and sorry for long message!
