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

So I finally got my blade in the mail today, everyone here said it was from a reputable source. WM. Elliot&CO

I prepped my face by putting some conditioner on on my chin and mustache...this is where most of my facial hair grows. My cheeks just get small patchs of hair (which i shaved off this morning). Anyways, after i put the conditioner on i soaked my face with a hot towel for 5 mins or so. My beard was noticeably softer. So i whipped up a foam with my brush and soap and applied the lather.

And thats about when everything seemed to go downhill. After reading "The art of the straight razor shave" by Christopher Moss, i followed the directions by placing the blade flat on my face and lifting it slightly (a 30 degree angle...?). I started on my upper lip going WTG, and right off the bat it seemed to be catching my hair and not cutting it at all. It almost seemed like i wasnt getting enough glide on my face. I attempted using the weight of the blade and not applying too much pressure, but it seemed like i needed to add more.

I gave up on my lip and tried my chin, this seemed to work a bit better but still barely any hair was getting cut. What am i doing wrong here...? I know my blade is good so im thinking it may have to do with the cheap soap i bought, that came with a bowl and brush at WAL MART. I have ordered the Truefitt and hill shave cream and a starter badger brush. Will this help me out at all? I honestly feel like it had something to do with the lather and of course my technique. I had to reapply the lather a few times because it seemed to dry up on my face...almost like i was moving too slow. But i was trying to take my time, like so many people stress on here.

I know this has been a long winded ramble and all, but im honestly disappointed. Ive read numerous posts of peoples "first shaves" that turned out much better than this. I basically gave up because i could not find a technique that would work in the slightest for me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I really am interested in doing this...ive just been kinda let down by this expierience.

Thanks guys

Shorynot, I started using a straight 2 months ago now so am far from an expert, but it sounds to me like your blade was not sharp enough. If you didn't get a strop with your blade, then you absolutely, definitely, without a doubt, need one. I have a hanging strop but a few people on here rave about paddle strops. I have found that when the blade begins to grab, it needs a few good strops on canvass and leather to give it a good edge. The difference it makes is amazing.

For me, the hanging hair test (there's more on that in the Wiki) is a really good indicator of whether the blade is ready. If it doesn't pass that then I know I won't get a great shave from my Dovo.

The other thing I would say is don't give up. It took me about a month to really work out the angles I needed to get a good shave across all parts of my face and neck. It gets better and more enjoyable all the time.

Originally Posted by shorynot

I gave up on my lip and tried my chin

I understand why you're doing that, but you do realise that these two are among the most problematic areas? Main problem being that skin stretching is more difficult. WRT the chin, try forming a u with your off hand's index finger and thumb, and stretch the skin away from your chin (I use the same grip for my lip). Bit awkward, but once you've mastered that, things should be easier. On an off note, did you carefully strop that razor prior to use?

First of all, don't feel bad about a rough first attempt. All I managed to accomplish with my first shave was a big pile of neck-burger. It get's better.

You did make a few mistakes, and I'll try to keep it organized

1. The two hardest areas of the face are the lip and chin. Starting with them was probably not a good plan. Start with cheeks and sideburns and stay away from your lips and chin until you have the cheaks down pat.
2. The Wal*Mart shave soap is okay. Not great. Not even good. But, it's okay. Better cream will almost certainly help.
3. Personally, if I tried to lay the blade flat against my face, then raise it to the correct angle, and then start shaving, I'd probably injur myself badly. You might figure out the angle with a butter knife first (seriously) and then just go to it. It's really not as complicated as a lot of how-to's make it sound.
4. Very little pressure is needed with good technique. If you find that it's not cutting, your angle is probably too flat or too steep.
5. The lather drying out on your face is pretty common for newbies because it takes you so long to shave. Watch a couple of the lathering vids around here. Not for technique, but just to see what lather is supposed to look like.

And of course, please check out the wiki link at the top of the page. There is a beginner section there that is wonderful.

That blade should have arrived ready. I can't imagine Sham sending it out if it wasn't. It wouldn't have even needed stropping. Send him a friendly pm & ask his opinion.

You should start with just your cheeks. Spend a week or so just doing them. It gives you time to adjust to the feel of the razor. They're nice & flat, easy to stretch & there's no obstacles in the way!

Stretching is very important. If the skin is not taught, the blade may skip.

30 degrees can be hard to judge. A good indicator is two spines width away from the face.

Apply lather to a wet surface. It helps to slow down the drying out. If your shave is taking a while, drying out is inevitable & there nothing wrong with re-applying it as you progress.

Everybody's first shave is different. Don't be disheartened yet!

Thanks for the advice everyone. Yes, sham told me I did not need to strop at all and the blade was "shave ready". Everyone on here said he was reputable, so im honestly not thinking it was the blade.

Like i said before, not alot of hair grows on my cheeks, just small patchs. But i think i will practice on them strictly until i feel a bit more comfortable. Perhaps i bit off more than i could chew jumping straight to the lip and chin.

I just spent an hour or so watching videos of people shaving on this site and youtube. I honestly think i was being a bit too timid with the blade, i was moving very slow and cautiously. I know i shouldnt rush through it but i think i wasnt being assertive enough with the blade to some extent.

After watching the videos (on lathering too), I realized this cheap soap/brush/bowl set is not gonna cut it (pun!!....sorry). I did this fairly late at night, and i think im gonna go to bed and attempt just my cheeks tomorrow morning.

Also, i know this is kind of a trivial question, but when your blade becomes...full i guess you would call it. What exactly do you do with it? Dip it in a sinkful of water (which left my blade gross looking after), or wipe it on a towel (like ive seen in some videos).

Seriously guys, you all have been very helpful...Sorry for flooding the first page lately.

Tony

Don't be discouraged by a less than perfect first shave. While I seemed to have a better first experience than some, mine was far from great. My first shave was about as close as I could get with an electric. Trust me, shaves will get smoother and burn less with time. Your face has to get use to having a straight dragged across it, and you have to perfect your technique.
Having a strop is key, due to the fact that it will realign the edge before shaves. However, yours should have come ready to go without having to strop. Again, don't be discouraged. My razor came ready to go and although it was sharp and keen, it did not do the job. I have since shaved with duller razors and gotten better results. This is simply due to the fact that my technique has improved.
In regards to technique, I don't like to lay the blade on my face and raise to the proper angle. I find that when I do this, I end up pushing the edge into my face when I raise the spine. Instead try maintaining the proper angle with a butter knife, practice the motion of a stroke, and progress to a straight. And keep in mind, you need to use almost no pressure at all. I know that it may feel like you need to apply more to shave those wiskars, but its way easier and less painful to do another pass with no pressure than try to get it the first time with double pressure.

My advice would be wait a couple of days till your razor burn goes away, get a strop and practice with a dull knife first (both stropping and shaving as poor stropping technique can ruin an edge). Then give it another go with MINIMAL pressure.

Good luck

I've got 3 responses to this.

Originally Posted by shorynot

I just spent an hour or so watching videos of people shaving on this site and youtube.

That really is most likely a mistake. Shaving with a straight is FAR less complicated than it seems, and there is so much information out there that you can easily overwhelm yourself. Just relax and go with it.

Also, i know this is kind of a trivial question, but when your blade becomes...full i guess you would call it. What exactly do you do with it?

There's lot's of options, and each has it's pros and cons. What you do is up to you. What I do, is simply run it under the tap briefly. Just be careful to keep the edge away from anything that it could get chipped on, and keep your fingers dry. Wet fingers + straight razor = stitches.

You could also wipe it off with a stropping motion on a towel, or dip it in a glass as you suggested. It's really a matter of preference.

Sorry for flooding the first page lately.

Nothing to be sorry for. That's what the Newbie forum is here for. Folks who don't want to read and answer these sorts of questions just don't come in here. It's better to ask than to hurt yourself or get rotten shaves forever. Lord knows I (and most everyone) asked plenty of questions in here at some point.

Originally Posted by 8BallAce

My advice would be wait a couple of days till your razor burn goes away, get a strop and practice with a dull knife first (both stropping and shaving as poor stropping technique can ruin an edge). Then give it another go with MINIMAL pressure.

Good luck

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.

Originally Posted by shorynot

I just spent an hour or so watching videos of people shaving on this site and youtube. I honestly think i was being a bit too timid with the blade, i was moving very slow and cautiously. I know i shouldnt rush through it but i think i wasnt being assertive enough with the blade to some extent.

I once read "use short, confident strokes". That's it, really. Only, confidence will come with time. I found The Zen of Straight Shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki by the venerable Sensei Kyle very enlightening.