Thread: First straight blade shave...did not go well at all. Im lost..

I don't post much but i figure I'm due so, very respectfully here are my 2 pence:

I think the thing you need to work on is your prep - figuring how to get the oils off your beard. I like to shave after washing my face twice - once with regular facial soap and the next with shampoo or conditioner; before going to the hot towel or the blade. The more oils you can remove, the weaker your whiskers become as they absorb more water.

I hope this post is useful to somebody.
Cheers!

Don't be discouraged by a poor first shave! I'm still only a few weeks in and my first shave was an absolute distaster, numerous cuts, razor burn and loads of stubble left on my chin. I think it was the 3rd, or 4th, shave that it just clicked and I started getting the right angle and the right pressure. Since then it's mostly been about finding the right grip and approack to different parts of the face. Follow the advice here about concentrating on your cheeks first and stick to shaving with the grain initially, I'm only now experimenting with shaving XTG on my cheeks. Short of having an experienced straight shaver standing in the bathroom with you, you've come to the right place for instruction.

Originally Posted by shorynot

You really think i should shave with a dull knife first?

I would assume that when he says a "dull knife" he means a knife or razor that has been intentionally rounded to make it safe, which is pretty much the same thing I suggest above about using a butter knife to figure out the angles.

Part of the problem with figuring out the angles with a razor blade is that a razor blade can cut you. A dulled knife cannot. You could so the same thing with a short ruler. Just any old straight edge that you can't hurt yourself with.

Just don't do it when you wife/girlfriend/partner/roommate/parents/kids/etc might see you, because you'll look like a dork.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Just don't do it when you wife/girlfriend/partner/roommate/parents/kids/etc might see you, because you'll look like a dork.

Incidentally, I did ask my wife to do just that. She said I looked cute. Still not sure whether that was a compliment or trauma therapy.

I'm new at this too and even though my first shave went well it still lit up my face due to the fact that my face wasn't use to a straight. You gotta remember there is NO safety with one of these and learning a proper technique is very important. Once you get the basics then you will begin to experiment and find what suits you best. A butter knife for learning angles and passes is a good idea also use the butter knife to practice stroping that when you turn the blade the wrong way you don't slice the strop like a piece of steak. Whatever else do not give up str8 shaving is an art and when you get it (and you will) it will be the best shave you'd ever had. One thing I learned a long time ago is that we learn more from failure than we ever could from first time success. Be patient, enjoy the me time and learn.

This is sort of a long shot, but you could check the member map for someone close to you and ask for some hands on help. Or you could post your location and see if someone is nearby that could help.

I think someone made this clear but just in case - do not actually try to remove whiskers with a butter knife, it's simply to practice holding the razor as well as to develop some muscle memory about where that 30 degree angle actually is at various places on your face and what it feels like without slicing your face up.

Same deal with using a butter knife to practice stropping. You won't sharpen the knife, it's just learn how to glide a blade on the strop without ripping it to shreds when you place an actual straight razor on it. That little trick would have saved me 4 strops had I read about it first!

I can say from experience that once you develop that muscle memory, things get a whole lot easier.

Something I'd read some time ago that seemed to immediately improve my shaving was that when you used a Mach 3 or whatever, the blade head rotates and change angles for you as you move across the contours of your face. With a straight, you have to rotate your wrist and fingers to match the contours. With that in mind, you can see why the edges of your jaw as well as chin and upper lip area are tough to successfully master. In addition. a well prepared face, lather, and stretching of the skin in those areas is really important in addition to rotating the blade to match the contours of the area you're shaving. That "U" shaped grip on your chin is an excellent way to stretch out that skin without slicing up the edge of your chin if you happen to have a sharp angle at your chin tip - one reason being a little overweight may actually help you shave better!

You've taken what is probably the hardest step in all this - you started to use the straight razor. Now it's a matter of filling in the details, developing your own techniques, and practice. After that first smooth shave I promise you'll be feeling your face throughout the day waiting for enough new growth to be able to shave again.

Originally Posted by shorynot

You really think i should shave with a dull knife first?

Thanks again, so i guess i really shouldnt be resting the blade on my face first. I plan on going to the local flea market here to pick up a cheap blade i can practice stropping with. Ill give my cheeks another go tomorrow and leave my lip and chin alone for now.

Read through this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...tml#post267140

Take your time and don't get discouraged. You are trying to tackle your face all at once without having the skills developed to manuever the blade proficiently. Start slowly and work on angles and pressures. Your face will thank you for it. This is not a race. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the experience...

How do we find this member map?

Originally Posted by Bill S

This is sort of a long shot, but you could check the member map for someone close to you and ask for some hands on help. Or you could post your location and see if someone is nearby that could help.

The first shave can be tuff. Having a known sharp razor takes most of the guessing out of it. That leaves preparation or technique to be questioned. As mentioned, the lip and chin are the toughest places to shave. The cheeks are where you want to learn. That means getting a feel for the razor and how it works. Try starting at the side-burn with the razor flat on your face. Slowly raise the spine (razors angle) while bringing the razor down your face. You will feel when the angle is right and the razor is shaving, remember that angle. From there it is just learning your routine of getting your face shaved.

Good luck and don't give up. It will come quickly.

Rick