First shave here too

Hi all,
I finally got time to shave today for the first time.
I purchased Dovo Ebony Spike Point set with 3" SRD Red Latigo (I think) strop.
The razor looks pretty nice, I talked to Don, and it turned out it was honed by the peeps @ SRD, and ready to use.

I obviously did not follow the common advice to not do full shave and did just the opposite. I was careful and ended up with only 2 minor nicks. The razor was gripy and really could not take well the hair on the chin and above the lip. So after I had oiled it and stored it, I could not resist the itch and took it out for some stropping, after which it was much sharper (I believe it can get even better with some honing /or CrO strop). Anyway I was able to almost completely shave what was left after the first time, and of course I gave myself a nice 1.5" nick on the cheek.
I loved the experience and also I can't wait to tackle the challenge of doing a complete shave as well as possible.

After some practice I'll either get a better brush or remake the one I have with a better badger knot. I also have to find a soap I like, but after that I am set to go on a 100%.

Thanks for all the info posted on the forum, it really made things easier.

do not rush, it will all come in time. i have been at it since march. i still get a small nick sometimes, mostly from not paying attention.:rant: i can still say that i look forward to each shave:). good luck and you have got a good setup for a beginner.

sounds like you are off to a pretty good start.

Congrats on the first shave!

Been shaving for about 3 weeks it definetly gets easier and better keep at it.

What soap are you using? (i'm guessing williams or VDH) have you tried a cream? C.O. Bigelow can be found at bath and body for $5-10 and has menthol that adds a nice cooling effect.

Congrats on getting started. All we can do is give advice. The reason for starting with just the area between the sideburns and jaw lines is that you can develop your skills, which includes angles and pressures. For that, only experience will get you through. You have, however, started. And that's important. Take your time... :tu

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mbwhoosh

Congrats on the first shave!

Been shaving for about 3 weeks it definetly gets easier and better keep at it.

What soap are you using? (i'm guessing williams or VDH) have you tried a cream? C.O. Bigelow can be found at bath and body for $5-10 and has menthol that adds a nice cooling effect.

---

I used Musgo Real, it did not create too thick of a lather but that might be a function of the brush, I use a starter Tweezerman, that eventually will get a nice silver tip knot.

Gratz on your first SR experience :beer2:

Haven't tried mugso so I can't really give my opinion, I will say this I didn't know what real lather was till I used tabac. The smell takes some getting used to but the lather it makes is worth it.

Also have you seen mantic59 videos? Try his approach to making lather till failure so you know how much water you should start with.

YouTube - mantic59's Channel

Congratulations! I finally was able to get a full shave yesterday (sans ATG) with the razor I purchased from a member on the classifieds (hi_bud_gl). The edge he put on it was extremely sharp, didn't realize how sharp 'til I noticed a little bit of red showing up on my chin. I let my mind and hand wander for a second and... poof! Just pay a lot of attention and lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to so you're not disturbed!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mbwhoosh

Haven't tried mugso so I can't really give my opinion, I will say this I didn't know what real lather was till I used tabac. The smell takes some getting used to but the lather it makes is worth it.

Also have you seen mantic59 videos? Try his approach to making lather till failure so you know how much water you should start with.

YouTube - mantic59's Channel

---

no I have not tryed tabak, but I definitely am going to, I assume it has slight tabac scent? This is something I dig.

heh there are whole threads dedicated to what tabac smells like you'll just have to try it as describing it is futile.

Half like the smell half don't but the half that don't like the smell use it anyway thats how good the lather is:)

Fragrancex.com is the cheapest I've found it (thanks to JimR) type "free" in the promo box for free shipping.

ran my third shave today, snmoothest of all time so far. Still some rnadom nics, but it took only 10 min.
Problematic areas to work on - chin, mustache.