Thread: First Shave--The Full Experience

Well, after much anticipation, the day finally arrived...my first straight razor shave! After buying my kit and requesting a shave-ready blade, I figured the Friday before father's day was as good a day as any for this memorable occasion. I took a nice hot shower, lathered my soap in a bowl (well, started to, but then realized I'd added a little too much water from the brush--let it soak for five minutes in the hot water first--so I then reached for a back-up mug and got a good little lather going in there). After applying the soap to my face, I reached for the blade...

...a Dovo Black Micarta Inox 5/8". I performed a final canvas and then leather stropping, then tried a "hair test", which it didn't pass, but I figured maybe I wasn't doing it quite right, and valor being the word of the day, I jumped right in. Oh, no, no simple shave your sideburns then wait 'til the next day and take it farther for this guy, heck no, I'm using a manly straight razor and I want the full treatment. So, venturing right in where many fools have opted not to tread (along with angels), I started by pulling my skin tight, slowly moving the blade downward at what I supposted to be a 30 degree angle, and going over it again...the first sideburn went okay, though I had difficulty seeing what I was doing because of my hand obstructing my vision. (Question here: do seasoned shavers get their sideburns right by feel/instinct, or can you actually see the line you're cutting over to the ear?)

So, on down the cheek...OUCH! My first little nick, and it's a little bit of a bleeder, but not too much. Besides, I wanted to try out the brand spankin' new styptic pencil that was recommended to me, but that will wait until after I finish, so, on with the shave. All in all, I found that as the dust settled and the fog of war cleared, I had around 6 minor nicks (one parallel to my ear, trying to angle the razor in there and one on my nose, where I got a little too foolhardy and gently swung the razor over a little too far shaving up under the nose). Then I had the utter joy of experiencing the styptic--not too bad, it's a good kind of hurt. Yep, I felt like Jeremiah Johnson, the mountain man, after killing the griz.

I then rubbed in some aftershave balm (I needed it--I guess I'm applying too much pressure or maybe going back over spots too many times, as my skin felt a little raw). I need to work on my mustache area--hard to get that angle-- and around my sideburns and chin--those are either hard to see or hard to hold the right angle. Overall my face is smooth, but inconsistent. I guess the right shave comes with practice, and I'll keep giving it a go. It took 50 minutes or so for me to complete the shave, so for now I may practice it mainly on the weekends until I build up a little more dexterity and speed.

Welcome from another newbie. You survived that's a good start. Spent much time with the WIKI? One thing I was told starting out was to slow down and do not use alot of pressure. There is an art to str8 shaving. You said you got your razor "Shave ready", From who? From what I'm to understand most shave ready razors aren't. There are those here who can fix that issue for you Check the classifieds. You will find here at SRP the folks are very knowledgeable and someone can usually explain something in a way even us newbies can understand. Whatever you do, do not get discouraged I believe we all bleed a little to begin with. (We learn more from failure thay we ever do from sucess.)

Congrats. Welcome to the right way to shave!. I'd recommend sticking with the area between the side burn and jawline only for the next few days, and only WTG. Get comfortable with the razor in your hands and the blade on your face. Work on your angles and pressures. Only when you feel good about should you move to other areas of your face, and with XG and ATG. It's not a race. It's the learning curve to get through. In no time at all you will be achieving the coveted BBS...

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Well I too ventured out this morning on my first trials with the straight razor, sure wish Dad was still alive to show me the ropes. I bought a Dovo special, readied by Lynn. Got most of the fixins, a mug and soap, a brush, strop and a hone. Used it just as received as it was already prepped by Lynn, so no stropping beforehand. Tried to shave this morning after reading lots for the past week or so. I survived with one small nick, but what a lousey shave. Had to finish things up with the Mach III. Somewhat disappointing, but I'll stay with it and learn this right. Not enough pressure on my part I think, and bad angles. Overly cautious, but I'll get it eventually.

Dan

Dodge~

I was speaking with Lynn at the NC meet-up and he told me that he sends his razors oiled. They need to be cleaned and properly stropped up before use.

That may be part of the issue.

Alan

Question here: do seasoned shavers get their sideburns right by feel/instinct, or can you actually see the line you're cutting over to the ear?)

Depends on the exact local of the burns, the height if you will. You can usually see them by turning the head sideways dramatically left or right. I have trouble because I wear glasses (bifocals to boot).

Alan

The razor was purchased from the Straight Razor Designs website and I asked that it be initially stropped by Lynn Abrams. I'm assuming it is as sharp as it will get and received other feedback that just because a razor doesn't pass the HHT it doesn't necessarily mean it's not sharp. I did view Lynn's DVD and other Youtube videos, which I found extremely helpful prior to giving it a try. Bottom line is I'll take it slowly and work on my angles and pressure.

Welcome Edgeworks!

Few thoughts;
1) spend time on stropping techniques. If yoru blade "hangs" on a hair, it is not sharp enough.

2) concentrate on cheek passes (WTG) at first. Finish with your traditional razor. Speed is not the key here; technique is key - speed will come later, and it is not the regular "speed" you are familiar with.

3) My first full shaves took a full hour . . . after the shower, etc. several passes, etc. So do not fret the time. Shave at night - NOT before you have to go to work in the AM.

4) Take your time! If this is a lifestyle change, your technique will improve after several months into it.

5) There is NO other shave like a SR shave. Stick with it and you will be rewarded. I remember the second month into SR shaving back in college. I had a particularly great shave the night before and the next day kept running my hands over my chin and cheeks because I got the coveted BBS shave!

I get the BBS after two passes all the time now. I will never go back to the mass; grab your money and throw it away cartridges!

WELCOME INDEED!!!

Alpsman

[QUOTE=Alpsman;402495]Welcome Edgeworks!
Alpsman, per your quote (partially extracted below), the hair didn't "hang" on the blade, it actually went over it without being cut. Perhaps I didn't apply enough force on the hair over the blade?

Second question: If I shave at night, will the closeness be sufficient to last the entire next day, without my getting a "5 o'clock shadow"? I'm usually in a professional business environment, and hate to say this, but my looks do matter as I'm in business development and a small business owner.

Thanks,
Mike

Per Alpsman:
"Few thoughts;
1) spend time on stropping techniques. If yoru blade "hangs" on a hair, it is not sharp enough. ...

... Shave at night - NOT before you have to go to work in the AM. ..."