Thread: Just Finished My First Shave

I thought I'd write out my first straight razor shave experience in case anyone wants to give me some pointers or another newbie wants to know what to expect. I'm going to avoid making comments or reviews on products or techniques, but don't let that stop any of you from telling me I'm doing something wrong. In general, I think my second try ought to be easier since I won't be as nervous and can learn from this first try.

First of all, my beard is pretty easy to shave, I think. The hairs aren't very coarse or dense along my sideburns or under my neck. My chin is the most dense and coarse, so for that area you might as well say it's "normal." It grows a little on the slow side - meaning my 5 o'clock shadow is usually about 12-18 hours late. I generally shave every other night. Shaving at night lets me take my time and focus better since I'm definitely awake. Plus, any nicks or dry skin will even out overnight. My normal routine is with a Mach-3 and Barbersol: I always go with the grain, then against the grain, rinse with cold water, rub on Nutragena aftershave lotion, get any tiny rough spots by going against the grain with that thin layer of lotion on, rinse off the lotion with cold water, then Clubman's Vanilla Aftershave, cold water again, towel dry, daily face lotion by Murad.

The New Gear: Since I'm new to straight razors I was hesitant to spend a lot on equipment. I found one of those "starter sets" on Ebay for about $40. I got 2 carbon razors with plastic handles, a two strap (cotton and leather) strop, soap and a badger brush. The reviews were pretty terrible, but again I figured if I can't get the hang of it I won't feel as bad. I've collected pocket knives my whole life, so when I first got the razors I could tell they were already honed. I cleaned the mineral oil off, stropped it on the clean smooth leather, lathered up my left foot and gave it a whirl. That little test made me more confident in the razor itself at least, and now my feet look funny. (If you're curious, the razor and other equipment is by ZEE PK. I'm not giving any opinion to its quality either way since I don't know enough to do that.)

The first shave went like this: Long shower as usual, which includes washing my face with an acne scrub and then a separate deep pore cleanser. Got out, stropped the razor, and got to work lathering up the soap. I may have made it a little runny/thin in hindsight, which may explain some of the details coming up. I put on some K Shave pre-shave oil first. (With a Mach-3 I can take it or leave it, but figured it couldn't hurt with the straight razor.) I brushed the lather all over my beard and tried to get as thick of a layer as I could, but I'm gonna give it a little more elbow-grease next time. It looks more like the leftover foam from a latte than the meringue on a pie, if that helps. I started on my right sideburn and went with the grain trying to use about 30-45 degree angle and light pressure. By the time I got my whole right check done I felt it over and I hadn't taken anything off! I re-lathered and went at it again closer to 25-30 degrees with a little more pressure - actually trying to scrape off the hair. AHA! Now I'm shaving! I worked down the right side then under my chin and right neck. It was still stubbly, but I moved on to the left side and did the cheek then neck. I used my right hand to hold the blade, and tried to keep my skin taught with my left hand and weird facial expressions. I re-lathered these areas again and tried against the grain. This made the cheeks and neck a combination of really smooth and "Eh, I could get closer." The upper lip was really tricky. It's almost as if I couldn't get momentum and the blade stuck on every hair. I put on more lather and made the angle kinda shallow. Hair was coming off for sure, but the blade/lather/angle/nervousness/large nose I have made it a little tough to do. The chin was the hardest part for me. The hair is tougher, the angles are weird, and I think I had trouble getting the angle right. I was able to get the edges pretty smooth by going against the grain, but I don't think I did much to the middle of my chin. The angle was tricky to find for my upper lip and chin. I tried everything from 10 to 90 degrees and I think the shallower the better. At this point I decided to quit and used my Mach-3 just to finish up. All told, I got one nick and used some styptic stick. (One comment I will make - all that marketing jargon is crap. It will not cool or soothe your skin. It will sting much more than aftershave.) After all this I used the same lotion and Clubman's aftershave, rinsed as usual and put on my daily face lotion.

I've got to say, I'm pretty smooth right now. One or two stray stubble length hairs near my lips, but pretty good otherwise. Granted, I used my regular razor, but I think I can credit the straight razor with my cheeks at least. I figure with a few pointers from some experience shavers and a few more tries I can get to a point that I don't need to use a regular razor afterwards. Eventually I'll probably get a nicer razor if I really get the hang of it and a lot of folks tell me to upgrade.

If you've gotten this far, please let me know if you have comments or thoughts. If you haven't tried shaving with a straight razor yet, hopefully this experience will put a little courage in your cup.

Wow, you got a shave with a Zeepk!!! You're a natural. Seriously, if your post is true, well done. Get a better razor.

Originally Posted by AlanII

Wow, you got a shave with a Zeepk!!! You're a natural. Seriously, if your post is true, well done. Get a better razor.

+1 Zeepk products are not of very high quality and they don't come with a shave ready edge, I would recommend getting a starters set from Ruprazor.com or a nice vintage shave ready razor from our classifieds.

DISCLAIMER:I am in no way connected to Ruprazor nor do I have any razors for sale in the classifieds.

Unfortunately it sounds like you've purchased sub-par equipment. I've not bothered with them after reading the reviews on here. It's pretty damning in my mind when the local honemeisters refuse to even attempt to hone a brand of razor.

Based on your description of your experience it sounds like your razor is nowhere near sharp enough to shave with. I suggest purchasing a confirmed shave-ready razor (doesn't need to be fancy) from the classifieds here or from a reputable vendor like classicshaving or thebleedingedge.

If that doesn't suit your fancy I've got a few beater razors lying around, you handle postage and I'd be happy to loan you one until you get yourself sorted with something decent.

Well congrats on taking the dive! I strongly urge you to read up all the information in our wiki, particularly the section of straight razor brands to avoid. Listen to the above responses -- Zeepk is one of the (if not the) worst razors you can buy and not anything you should be learning on.

Originally Posted by BingoBango

I started on my right sideburn and went with the grain trying to use about 30-45 degree angle and light pressure. By the time I got my whole right check done I felt it over and I hadn't taken anything off! I re-lathered and went at it again closer to 25-30 degrees with a little more pressure - actually trying to scrape off the hair. AHA! Now I'm shaving!

Scraping is not shaving. When you get a real razor you'll find that light pressure is all you need to cut all the hair. Welcome to SRP and check out the wiki. Lots of information for starting out, even if you're on a budget.

+1 to all the advice. A well honed razor with your good beard prep, ESPECIALLY with your light beard, should feel like it's just sliding down your face smooth as butter, and look at that...the hair is gone. Now, no matter what razor you have, that takes some practice, but you are getting good advice here that the ZEEPK will not give it too you.
I'm also a knife guy (been sharpening since I was 12 or so), and thought I knew sharp. hell, I eventhought I knew SHAVING sharp, as my knives COULD shave. A non-shave-ready razor (or a really sharp pocket knife) "can" shave...a shave ready razor will be a pleasure to shave with.

Originally Posted by BingoBango

I thought I'd write out my first straight razor shave experience in case anyone wants to give me some pointers or another newbie wants to know what to expect.

First of all, I don't think this is what another newbie should expect from a GOOD razor...

Since I'm new to straight razors I was hesitant to spend a lot on equipment.

You could have picked up a MUCH better, shave ready razor off the classifieds for a little bit more money, and you would be a LOT better off.


The reviews were pretty terrible, but again I figured if I can't get the hang of it I won't feel as bad.

There's a reason the reviews are bad...

I've collected pocket knives my whole life, so when I first got the razors I could tell they were already honed.

I've sharpened my own knives most of my life as well, and I'll tell ya, there is a BIG difference between knife sharp and RAZOR sharp.

I started on my right sideburn and went with the grain trying to use about 30-45 degree angle and light pressure.

~30 degrees is good, but don't apply pressure, when you shave with a good shave ready razor, you're gonna find out why. I hesitate to even say pressure, but you should just place the edge against your face. Don't press into your face.

By the time I got my whole right check done I felt it over and I hadn't taken anything off!

That's because the razor isn't shave ready.

I re-lathered and went at it again closer to 25-30 degrees with a little more pressure - actually trying to scrape off the hair. AHA! Now I'm shaving!

Shaving is NOT scraping the hair off your face...you're only learning the WRONG way to shave doing what you did, and you will regret it later.

The upper lip was really tricky. It's almost as if I couldn't get momentum and the blade stuck on every hair. I put on more lather and made the angle kinda shallow. Hair was coming off for sure, but the blade/lather/angle/nervousness/large nose I have made it a little tough to do.

It was "sticking on every hair" because it's not shave ready.

All told, I got one nick and used some styptic stick. (One comment I will make - all that marketing jargon is crap. It will not cool or soothe your skin. It will sting much more than aftershave.)

It stings at first, but it does help to take some of the later tenderness/sting out. If you want an alternative that won't sting, try corn starch (yes, I'm serious.)

Eventually I'll probably get a nicer razor if I really get the hang of it and a lot of folks tell me to upgrade.

Get a good razor. What you did wasn't shaving, and you will only learn BAD habits that will get your face hacked up later. Look in the Wiki, there is LOTS of information like this link: Buying a beginner's set on a budget - Straight Razor Place Wiki

If you've gotten this far, please let me know if you have comments or thoughts.

Here's a little friendly advice, throw that razor in the trash, or return it if the seller will take it back. You will not learn to shave with a Zeepk (there's a reason it is in the DO NOT BUY list of razor brands) and you will thank yourself later for getting a good one (and no, you don't have to spend a fortune.)

Look in the Classifieds, and ask questions. I'm sure ppl will respond with sources of good reasonably priced razors to fit your budget.

Don't waste money on bad equipment, you'll only be doing yourself and other new people that read about your experience a disservice.

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks for all the great advice! I guess I'll be buying a new razor sooner than I thought, but I'd rather not learn the wrong way or slice myself up. I just wish I would've found this site earlier but at least I've got a couple of cool looking butter knives...

Don't throw them away, blunt them completely and use them to practice your stropping. Read the wiki here, then read it again, then start looking at what you need to buy. You will get plenty of advice on this site, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Originally Posted by BingoBango

Thanks for all the great advice! I guess I'll be buying a new razor sooner than I thought, but I'd rather not learn the wrong way or slice myself up. I just wish I would've found this site earlier but at least I've got a couple of cool looking butter knives...

No worries -- I started out similarly. Mentioned my interest in straights and wound up with a Master USA razor last Christmas. It's stainless steel instead of carbon but I'm sure it's similar to the Zeepk you have. My first few strokes were identical; didn't take off a hair unless I used way too much pressure.

After registering on this site, reading about the basics, and getting a real razor honed by one of the members, I can tell you that it's a world of difference. Just forget about the pressure you had to use with the Zeepk because when you have a good blade the hairs will cut very easily.

Big +1 on what danny said above. The Zeepk can be used to practice your stropping technique at least.