Thread: First Shave!

I am FINALLY about to do my first shave with my newly honed Genco. A Special thanks to Utopain for the honing!

This Genco is a blade that my grandfather gave me, and since he never shaved with a straight it is most likely from my great grandfather on my mother's side. The blade is in beautiful shape. I have been waiting to do this for months now! Finally!!! I have been using a DE since last Janurary. Now it is time for a REAL shave. Thank you all for the great advice here at SRP!

I am going to go with Lynn's advice to only shave from sideburn to jawline on my dominant side. My big question is whether or not to strop after the shave and how soon after I am done shaving should I do it?

I think it is pretty great to be using a razor that is part of your family history.

I just strop before I shave, but I know some folks strop afterwards. I think the motivation to strop after is to dry off the edge more than anything. After I shave I run the razor under really hot water, then dry it off with a tissue (the heated blade dries really fast). Then I put a few drops of mineral oil on another tissue and draw the razor across the tissue (spine first, strop style) to get the oil on the edge to prevent any rusting.

-Chief

Ok, So I finished shaving.... Well I couldn't stop with just sideburns to jaw line. It was too fun!

I went for the cheeks, chin and upper lip. NO NECK! I did not get one single nick!!! I actually nick my self more with my DE The shave was EXCELLENT and I am HOOKED!! Almost no sting from the alum block! There is a lot to learn but definitely motivating.

When I finished up with my DE it was much easier.... The DE was much more effortless, and cut the whiskers with less effort than my straight. I am not saying sharpness is an issue at all with my straight it is really sharp!! I did notice that sometimes my straight would stop dead! and I would have to use more pressure.

Is this because of my blade angle? So if I learn to master the blade angle will my straight effortlessly annihilate my whiskers? Knowing this would help me with technique!

Great start! I'm glad it went well after the anticipation! Another of Utopians good deeds appreciated.
As for the stopping, it may be an angle issue. 2 spines width, if you struggle to judge 30 degrees. It may also be that you need slightly better prep. This isn't so likely as you've been using a DE. It may be that the stroke isn't confident enough yet. I think it's probably better to be a little tentative at first, rather than over confident & do some damage!

Originally Posted by fatpanda

Is this because of my blade angle? So if I learn to master the blade angle will my straight effortlessly annihilate my whiskers? Knowing this would help me with technique!

at first congratulations second you got it right angle. you will learn don't put pressure just try slightly change angle and see what happen. Be patient. GL

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Great start! I'm glad it went well after the anticipation! Another of Utopians good deeds appreciated.
As for the stopping, it may be an angle issue. 2 spines width, if you struggle to judge 30 degrees. It may also be that you need slightly better prep. This isn't so likely as you've been using a DE. It may be that the stroke isn't confident enough yet. I think it's probably better to be a little tentative at first, rather than over confident & do some damage!

Yes, a good deed by Utopian! I did notice that my blade angle was very low, less than 1 spine width from my face. Plus today my prep was poorer than usual I skipped the lather with hot towel for 3 minutes after my shower. I did realize that it was not as scary as I thought it was going to be...

I will focus on blade angle. AND no coffee before the shave. I was getting the caffeine jitters while doing the really fine motions. If I increase my blade angle will the razor be easier to move?

Since I honed it, I'm gonna say it's your technique!

Angle and approach is everything. I have always used the scything motion without ever giving it a thought. It's just the way you use a knife. You don't chop a tomato by pushing it straight through. Instead, you slice through it so that the blade saws through the tomato. It should be the same way with your whiskers. Angle of the blade relative to your face is also critical. Practice will make it better!

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

at first congratulations second you got it right angle. you will learn don't put pressure just try slightly change angle and see what happen. Be patient. GL

Thanks Bud! So I will try this use almost no pressure and vary the blade angle such that I can effortlessly glide through my beard.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Since I honed it, I'm gonna say it's your technique!

This cracked me up!!!

I am sure it is my technique also, this thing is sharp!! Is this scything motion a motion that has both a downward and a forward component combined together (more downward than forward)?

I also have another question, When I am in the middle of the shave and I want to wash my face and re-lather for a second pass, is it common to put the blade gently down on the counter or do you just hold the razor in one hand and wash your face with the other.

Try letting some hair conditioner do it's magic for a couple of minutes before you shave. It really does help.