My first straight razor shave (or attempt anyway)

So I ordered a Dovo Ebony High Carbon steel from Vintage Blades, along with some new soap, aftershave, pre-shave oil, and a strop. Turn around was good, I had ordered Saturday eve and received it today. I had started wet-shaving with a DE safety about a month or so ago.

I guess my thoughts leading up to this was that it wouldn't be that difficult, I mean what's the big difference between a DE and straight anyway? Don't laugh. I was very wrong. This blade (honed by Lynn btw) is definitely the sharpest thing I've ever put to my face. I remembered reading 'if it pulls or feels uncomfortable, stop'. It did feel like a lot of pulling (and I stopped a lot), which is odd, because I was pretty sure my angle was good. I do think my strokes are probably too short. I tend to do short, buffing strokes with my DE, which results in a BBS but slightly irritated face.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to put off shaving this morning and have my first attempt be through 48 hours of growth? Hmm. I was pretty sure at any point my face was going to erupt in a geiser of blood worthy of a Kurosawa movie.

Well, I did my whole face WTG or attempted to, no nicks or weepers. Kinda patchy at points, polished it off with my Merkur safety.

-Mike

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Originally Posted by MrMike

I guess my thoughts leading up to this was that it wouldn't be that difficult, I mean what's the big difference between a DE and straight anyway? Don't laugh. I was very wrong. This blade (honed by Lynn btw) is definitely the sharpest thing I've ever put to my face. I remembered reading 'if it pulls or feels uncomfortable, stop'. It did feel like a lot of pulling (and I stopped a lot), which is odd, because I was pretty sure my angle was good. I do think my strokes are probably too short. I tend to do short, buffing strokes with my DE, which results in a BBS but slightly irritated face.

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The difference between a DE and a straight razor is massive. Switching from a DE might even be more complicated than switching from an inferior from of shaving tool, as illustrated by your attempt at buffing.

There are many success factors in straight razor shaving. As far as shaving itself is concerned, short but confident strokes with minimal pressure are key. As are proper blade angle and proper skin stretching (this is where the biggest difference to DE shaving lies). Do yourself a favour, grab a copy of our beginners guide (links in my signature), and make sure you got everything sorted out in your head before you begin.

As far as beard growth and sharpness are concerned: Eventually, it will not make any difference. For now, it probably will.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards,
Robin

first off welcome, second, go slow and make sure you stretch your skin. it will get easier with each shave. do not rush yourself. do small areas until you are comfortable then add more to your shaving routine. you will find it gets better with time..good luck

At first welcome to the SRP and SRW.(straight razor world) Now you are hero you put that blade on your face. that is the worse part and you done it. Now lets go walk easy steps.
short strokes are ok but don't make them straight down, make looks like cutting tomatoes (forward motion part short strokes)
Next sharpness of your razor part has been resolved (like). Lynn honed will be shave ready.
Pay attention to the angle. no more then 30 degree.
stretching skin.
pre shave preparation hot towels ,etc
lastly and most important is patience.
GL.

Sounds like you did OK for the first time and taking on the whole face. You might try just working on one area though until it gets comfortable. Feeling comfortable with the angle is a learned process as the angle will open up in places like the chin and mustache area. This can also happen even under the side burn and on the cheek area. You start off thinking you are there and can actually open up the angle during the stroke. It does need to be 30 degrees or less throughout the process. It gets better every time you shave.

All the best,

Lynn

You did good your first time, with practice and patience you will get it right. As suggested, start with short strokes first, it will become easier.

Today was a lot better! A few differences: I showered instead of using a hot towel, soaked my brush longer, and switched from Conk to Taylor of Old Bond. MUCH nicer lather, and it wasn't trying out half way through one side of the face (since I'm going slow). I guess the big thing was getting used to the level of resistance/drag where it shaves, but does not cut face off.

Managed a WTG & some XTG on the neck. The chin is still a bit of a puzzle. As are grips on the opposing side-burn. Thanks for your suggestions guys!

Also, what do you guys use to wipe-down your blades? Micro-fiber? I know paper tends to be somewhat dulling, as I imagine cotton is. Do you guys just use minereal oil or do you use something in particular? (I used to use RemOil on my knives, but I'm not sure if I want my face smelling like a gun-store).

-Mike

Sounds like you're of to a good start Mike. The amazing thing is it only gets better.

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Originally Posted by MrMike

Also, what do you guys use to wipe-down your blades?

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I use a light towel that is made to dry off drinking glasses. The same type that a lot of bars use. I picked it up at my grocery store and I'm not sure of the brand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrMike

Also, what do you guys use to wipe-down your blades? Micro-fiber? I know paper tends to be somewhat dulling, as I imagine cotton is. Do you guys just use minereal oil or do you use something in particular? (I used to use RemOil on my knives, but I'm not sure if I want my face smelling like a gun-store).

-Mike

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To dry my razor I run it under really hot water on each side to heat up the blade, then wipe it down with a tissue (the heated blade helps evaporate the water). Then I put a dab of mineral oil on another tissue and wipe the edge of the blade using a stropping type motion, edge trailing (now you won't be dulling the razor). Then I just wipe down the rest of the blade with the slighly oiled tissue. My purpose on using the oil is really just to get some on the edge to help preserve the edge from rust (plus it doesn't hurt to oil the rest of the blade, but you only really need to oil the entire blade if you live in a humid environment or you don't plan on using the razor for awhile).

On this article from Poplular Science (1931) there's a picture of an edge coated in vaseline vs. an edge that wasn't, and you can see the corrosiive effects of rust on the quality of the edge:

WONDER PHOTOS REVEAL UNSUSPECTED FACTS ABOUT Razor Blades and Shaving

Mineral oil works great for me, plus if you forget to wipe it off on the next shave it only conditions the skin...

Try not to get water on the tang at the pivot point in the scales-- it will rust really easily there. If you do, you can blow out the water and use a folded tissue to dry, or use a hair dryer.

-Chief

PS, nice razor! I have one of those, too.

Some on this site have said that wiping the blade down might not be sufficient to remove residue and general "corruption" on the bevel and edge. I've read recommendations that a few swipes on a linen strop before oiling the blade is a good idea.

Hmm well I nicked myself for the first time, very slight didn't even drip blood, just a little embarrassing red-line. :tameshigiri:

I had this weird sensation while shaving, I'm not sure if it was my grip, but it seemed like the blade was sharper facing one way than the other. I hope I havent dulled the blade with my lousy stropping technique already! It did not seem to cut hair above the arm very well. I wish I had done that test when I first got the blade for comparison.

I did notice while stropping I got a really nice sound out of one side, but I was having trouble producing the the same sound on the other side. Maybe my grip is off.

I guess I'll try to be cautious about today or tomorrow, maybe try to get in a good 50 or 100 laps? Or go linen? I do have a bid on a Swatty Hone, although I'm worried if I cant strop right I just might do more damage.

-Mike

A different feel and sound from one side while shaving and stropping. Do you have a wire edge on the blade? I would hold it under a bright light and rotate it and move it trying to detect a visual difference. Also, if you have a microscope (Radio Shack 100x $12), visually inspect it. That just doesn't sound right.

So I have bids out on a swatty and I'm ordering chromium oxide for finishing.

Meanwhile I was so obsessed with correcting the lifting of the spine from the strop, I accidentally stropped edge first and 'skinned' a few millimeters of latigo off. How embarrassing. I hope the edge is ok, I'm not sure but I think I see a slight mar, I wish I had a jewlers loop! I stropped a bunch more times...I guess my face will find out tomorrow. My poor strop looks like it's been in a knife fight :(

I'm not sure if Mike is still checking this page, but here goes. As a newbie I was luckily enough to find a veteran that lived 10 minutes from me. He came over for about an hour and a half on Saturday and really helped me out. I had the same stropping problem, sound only on the backhand stroke. He pointed out that I was rotating the razor using my wrist, not my fingers. Now, when I focus on rotating only with my fingers, the sound comes on both strokes.

I hope this helps.
-Tyler