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

shorynot
Sorry i did read your post a little late. But doesn't matter people in this side is unbelievable helpful
i can give you guaranty that blade has been shave test and shave ready condition before i ship it to you. if you do have strop now please go head strop before shave but just use weight of the blade . as long as edge touches to strop you should be ok.
Now please 30 degree angle is not 100% must have angle you can change it slightly and see how is your blade cuts.in which angle better then you can stick with same angle.
Everything else has been said already. let us know if your problems will continue .after every shave you should feel a little better. Give time to you face to get used to straight razor.
Did you clean up oil on the blade before you shave? Please don't use any shaving magic oil's stuff while you shave. Not for now later when you get more practice you should be ok.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

shorynot
Sorry i did read your post a little late. But doesn't matter people in this side is unbelievable helpful
i can give you guaranty that blade has been shave test and shave ready condition before i ship it to you. if you do have strop now please go head strop before shave but just use weight of the blade . as long as edge touches to strop you should be ok.
Now please 30 degree angle is not 100% must have angle you can change it slightly and see how is your blade cuts.in which angle better then you can stick with same angle.
Everything else has been said already. let us know if your problems will continue .after every shave you should feel a little better. Give time to you face to get used to straight razor.
Did you clean up oil on the blade before you shave? Please don't use any shaving magic oil's stuff while you shave. Not for now later when you get more practice you should be ok.

Yes I cleaned the oil up before shaving. I think my issue is just getting the angles correct. I got some Truefitts cream that should be delivered today...so we will see how that works. Thanks again everyone

Where are you from? Perhaps a quick shave lesson is in order? Or are you having better luck working on your sideburns and cheeks?

Originally Posted by Dirt4dinner

Where are you from? Perhaps a quick shave lesson is in order? Or are you having better luck working on your sideburns and cheeks?

Actually, Things have improved quite a bit with my shaving since i made this post. I basically just do wtg passes right now. I really only grow thick hair on my lip and chin, cheeks are just small patches. The shave is not super close yet, but i am definately progressing quite well.

My comfort level with the blade is much better now, im not near as hesitant. I think i just needed to cutmyself a few times to realize its no worse than a cut with my Mach 3. Im gonna keep at it for awhile, and i think im already interested in purchasing a new blade. No idea what to get or what size or anything...

Probably the biggest favour you can do for yourself when you're starting out is to give yourself plenty of time to shave. It takes time to learn proper techniques and build confidence. If you find yourself very timid with the blade, put it down until you can get yourself in the right frame of mind. You should also remember that you can reapply lather as often as you need to. If it dries out, reapply. When I started out, I would only lather one section of my face at a time (this will help you focus on what you're doing, without that feeling that you should speed up, in order to catch the other side of your face before the lather is too dry). You can also try a different shave soaps, or shave creams. I have had many great shaves while using Col. Conk shave soaps (they are quite inexpensive as well).

Originally Posted by CoolHandJaden

Probably the biggest favour you can do for yourself when you're starting out is to give yourself plenty of time to shave. It takes time to learn proper techniques and build confidence. If you find yourself very timid with the blade, put it down until you can get yourself in the right frame of mind. You should also remember that you can reapply lather as often as you need to. If it dries out, reapply. When I started out, I would only lather one section of my face at a time (this will help you focus on what you're doing, without that feeling that you should speed up, in order to catch the other side of your face before the lather is too dry). You can also try a different shave soaps, or shave creams. I have had many great shaves while using Col. Conk shave soaps (they are quite inexpensive as well).

Yep, these are all steps that i have been taking. I shave at night so im not rushing in the morning, and only lather one spot at a time. Im still not producing the best lather with my T&H cream, i really need to practice but i spent alot on that cream and i dont want to waste it.

One more piece of advice to go with everyone elses, when you look at the contours of your chin, do a little visualization, break those contours down into smaller flat planes and adjust your strokes to match the planes.

BTW If Sham sharpened it, its sharp!

Yeah, it arrived very sharp. And its still very sharp, which tells me i am stropping correctly.