Thread: First shave with a real straight today

It wasn't awful. It could DEFINATELY be closer but I'll worry about that when I'm more comfortable using the razor. It's a tiny razor though. Not heavy at all. Here's where I need help; the chin and mustache area. No matter how I stretched or angle of the blade, the razor wouldn't glide smoothly. I saved those areas for last and eventually had to employ a north sound technique to get any kind of shave. Any pointers? And can anybody point me to maybe a heavier razor? I only paid $30 for that one and I think it's a 5/8 hollow. Is that a typical razor? Dang, I have alot of questions now after my first shave. I just bought a razor from ebay I'm hoping to restore because that sort of thing sounds fun to me. But maybe I should've purchased a wider heavier one??? Thanks!!!

The mustache and chin areas take various angles that you have to experiment with to find out what works for you and your comfort zone.

Start with the wiki and keep the blade sharp as that will help you get greater results, especially for these areas.

You may want to get the blade professionally honed to get you off to the best start.

Good Luck and Welcome to SRP!

Pabster

Oh, I forgot to mention. This blade was honed for me and then I stropped it on red latigo before I started shaving. The jaw and cheek and throat and even adams apple areas went really well. It's just the chin and stache areas...keep talking...I may be leaving stuff out...so I'll type as I remember stuff. Thanks guys!!!

Hi and Welcome to SRP,glad to hear you have made a choice to start using a SR im sure you have alot of questions and its possible to answer some of them by looking here Straight Razor Place Wiki feel free to ask i'm sure theres an answere waiting for yah

Originally Posted by topherloaf

It wasn't awful. It could DEFINATELY be closer but I'll worry about that when I'm more comfortable using the razor. It's a tiny razor though. Not heavy at all. [...]And can anybody point me to maybe a heavier razor? I only paid $30 for that one and I think it's a 5/8 hollow. Is that a typical razor?

A 5/8 hollow is a great razor with which to learn. Nothing wrong about it, especially if you received it pre honed.

Originally Posted by topherloaf

Here's where I need help; the chin and mustache area. No matter how I stretched or angle of the blade, the razor wouldn't glide smoothly. I saved those areas for last and eventually had to employ a north sound technique to get any kind of shave. Any pointers?

Lots of pointers, all neatly packaged into a guide for beginners is in the Wiki (see my signature). A few things to which you may want to pay attention:

• Before you do anything else, map the beard growth on your face on a piece of paper, stick it to your bathroom mirror. Follow that path.
• Face preparation is key. There is an excellent article on that in the Wiki, too.
• Skin stretching is most important. You will find it explained in the article on shaving passes.

Other than that, there is little to add right now. Not without your submitting more data.

Good luck, and keep us posted,
Robin

Ok also, not new at all to wet shaving. I use a CO Bigelow shave cream and sometimes make a superlather with that with VDH. Vulfix Superbadger brush and a gillette red tip superspeed. I've been using that method for about 6 years now. (was told to map out my growth pattern when I started using a DE so I have that down) Decided to take up straight shaving because well...it sounded fun. So, that's my backround as far as shaving goes. The wiki had some good pointers but I didn't really have problems using both hands and no nicks or cuts on my face. Possibly is it just the angles? Stretching differently? I went super slow. Took about an hour actually. But I set aside the time just to learn today so don't freak out!!! ) It was fun anyway. Just got frustrating around my chin and under my nose. Stupid nose/chin area.

Welcome to straight shaving!

I found when I started that the 5/8 was hard for me to use. I am now using a 6/8 Dovo and it has the extra weight that I like and it seems smoother to me. Just my experience.

I would also say that you should not rush it and each time you shave it gets easier. Each time you shave you gain more and more confidance. Try different angles as you go along but do not push yourself into a nick, scrape, or cut. Start out slow, enjoy each shave and it gets better and better as you go on.

Good luck and enjoy!

Oh, and the brand of razor I'm using is a Jim Slick. It says on the tang "Jim Slick US Patent Office...Germany" then on the back of the tang says "JC Lenkie...." Really tiny razor.

You are off to a good start. When I first started straight shaving, it would take 40 - 45 minutes and the results were OK, but each shave kept getting better until I became proficient. It is all part of the learning curve and getting use the feel of the blade on your face and discovering the angles and directions that work best for you.

Looking back, the learning curve was a fun adventure and I still enjoy the satisfation of straight shaving and still consider it fun.

Keep it going!

Pabster

Originally Posted by topherloaf

No matter how I stretched or angle of the blade, the razor wouldn't glide smoothly.

You are lacking on shaving technique and may be a bit on sharpness, but mostly technique. Your hand should be able to execute a smooth motion regardless of the weight of the razor. A heavier razor will only partially compensate for inadequate technique. If you need the razor's inertia to assist you it means you just don't have very good control of the razor and I don't see how this is any good. The only way to learn is practice. Lighter razor will get you there faster.

Originally Posted by topherloaf

Any pointers?

Start slowly. Master the easy flattish area between the sideburns and jawline before trying curved surfaces.