Thread: My first shave. 5-30-09

Today was the first day...and I enjoyed it!

In an effort to save a few bucks I ended up buying everything needed for straight razor shaving from two different websites. Only one order made it to me so far, so I had to make due on a few things.

I got my razor, mug and DVD from Straight Razor Designs yesterday. My brush, strop and soap should be here on Tuesday from Knife Center. I couldn't wait though!

So, I started off simple, just like the DVD says. I started with a nice hot shower, and soaked my face in water that was hotter than I normally use. I then jumped out, dried off and grabbed the only shave cream I have available, Gillette Fusion. I applied to my entire face, mostly out of habit, but only planned on shaving the right side of my face. I started at my side burn and worked down with one long stroke all the way to my jaw bone. It felt fine, and left a very smooth face! I then moved towards my mouth, and with one long stroke finished my right cheek. So, I moved on...

I switched hands and started on my left side burn, two big strokes and that was done. Left handed didn't feel any different once I figured out to hold the razor with my left hand...which was probably funny if someone had been watching me try to figure it out. I then worked below my mouth...which was tougher as it didn't seem the blade wanted to slide as easily, it sort of skipped...but didn't nick me at all. I think I was being to gentle. I decided to move on and leave my chin alone. I moved to below my nose and it to was tough, the blade didn't want to slide across the skin but would happily skip across it just like my chin.

My neck was very easy, just like my cheeks. I got my only cut when I placed the blade on the far left side of my neck below my ear. The cut bleed forever, but is not noticable now.

So all in all. I need practice on my chin and below my nose. But the cheeks and neck are not tough at all. Much easier than I thought it would be, and the shave is pretty darn good. Not perfect but I am happy for my first time.

Here is the new razor and mug...the brush, strop and soad will be here on Tue!

great going!
im glad you did the whole face, im totally against the whole "just do the cheeks" philosophy, youd never learn!
nice lookin razor! i havent used a dovo yet

That's a damnsight better than I did my first go.
Congrats!

Originally Posted by jakoblah

That's a damnsight better than I did my first go.
Congrats!

Yes, me too. Well done.

Congrats on a great start. I bought the same razor one month ago from SRD and I am just now able to do a complete shave with just my straight. Take your time and don't worry about the learning curve. Have fun!

Congrats on the first shave! You picked a geat razor to start off with - enjoy!!

Nice work Dirt. Sounds like a success.

That was my first razor also, and my first shave went much like that too. My chin took the longest to learn to shave successfully. Keep practicing and you'll get it soon enough.

I just shaved again, so second time. I didn't do any big cuts like the first one on my neck. I had a few smaller ones that weren't to big a deal. I got my chin and under my nose done fine this time...but the under part of my chin got a worthless shave, I ran over it a few times, but it just didn't take the hair off. I think I might have had the angle to small. I would like to strop the blade before my next shave which means it's going to have to wait a few days until that strop shows up.

I am getting there, only two shaves into this and feeling pretty confident.

This website has saved me BIG TIME!

Originally Posted by Dirt4dinner

I just shaved again, so second time. I didn't do any big cuts like the first one on my neck. I had a few smaller ones that weren't to big a deal. I got my chin and under my nose done fine this time...but the under part of my chin got a worthless shave, I ran over it a few times, but it just didn't take the hair off. I think I might have had the angle to small. I would like to strop the blade before my next shave which means it's going to have to wait a few days until that strop shows up.
I am getting there, only two shaves into this and feeling pretty confident.
This website has saved me BIG TIME!

You've made the right decision... Lynn would have stropped the razor just before shipping so you could do the first shave without a strop. You can get away with a second one, but now you really have to wait for the strop. Many newbies don't realize what an essential part stropping is for getting a good shave.

If the razor is just wiping off lather, then it may be that you are not stretching the skin tightly enough. Especially in certain spots where some men have whiskers that "lie down" flat on the face.
For under the chin, try:

Look up at the ceiling, jut the point of your chin toward the ceiling, and then use your free hand in the love patch area to push the skin upward.

Trouble is that cream that you are using is not really a cream at all its called foam and its very different from some of the quality creams that you will run into. I do not think that you did yourself any favors by using that Fusion Hydra.