Thread: first shave....

went horrible.....but on the good side i took my time and did not get any cuts
i def gotta get better at making the shaving cream and soap better and quit shaking haha how do y'all hold the razor because that long thing looks gnarly in the mirror when your trying to shave by your ear without taking it off!
i do love the bay rum after shave though !

Hi
Congrats! a first shave with no cuts is a good start.
There are many ways to hold the razor. Look in the WIKI and find what works for you.

thanks otto!....all i managed to get was all the flat parts of my face but i couldnt even get them that good but like you said do some more reading and practice some more
i was using a thin henckels razor i think 4/6

Henckels are great.
Yes, read the WIKI and practice, the shaves will improve.

Good luck!

Congrats on the first shave and no cuts!!

Good you took your time.

+1 on Otto's posts. I like revisit the shaving wikis from time to time and check out different videos from time to time and keep refining my technique - always something to learn.

Enjoy the journey,
All the best,
Michael.

Congrats on your first shave. NO CUTS, THATS GREAT! It sounds like you did very well. Like Otto said read the wiki, and find what works, and is comfortable for you. The more you shave the better you will get. Try a better or improved pre-shave prep. Lke right out of the shower, hot towel, or a Uber-lather with some glycerine oil in the soap and cream. Maybe a pre-shave oil will smooth and soften things out for you? Just stick with it. Good luck. STRAIGHT RAZOR 13.

i got the henckels used off of this site by strange chance it came in the same day as a my new dovo so i figured the first shave has to be with a vintage blade.... do any of you oil the blades after your done for the day? last thing i want to do is have them start rusting and pitting on me. hope i dont screw up stroping tomorrow

Imho, it is not necessary to oil your blade on a day to day basis. Just make sure you dry your blade and scales well. More so if you have a carbon steel blade, as opposed to a stainless blade. I only get the blade of the razor wet, when rinsing of the shave cream/ soap. I dry my blade each and every time I rinse. This ensures water does'nt run down the tang and into the pins and scales. I even use barbicide wipes that the barbers use to wipe of their scissors, razors. ect. It cleans and disinfects, as well as disapates water. If you plan on storing your razor for a length of time, more than a month, and you live in a humid area, you may want to put styerly, or camillia oil on the blade your razor. Make sure you clean and wipe the oil off the blade well, as the protective oil may cause a skin irritation. Good luck and take care, make sure you read the wiki. STRAIGHT RAZOR 13.

Ben, just take your time, most people suggest you start out by only doing 1 section of your face, like your cheek, until you get comfortable with your shaving abilities. But it is fantastic you didn't get cut the first time. Give it some patience and soon you will be wondering why you didn't start straight shaving before this! The razor is on it's way so let me know how you like it.

Hi,

You have overcome the greatest hurdle - the first straight shave

You will find things will improve rapidly (really !!), and before long you will wonder what all the fuss was about !

Best regards

Russ