Thread: 1st Straight Shave

Greetings,

Got my Dovo Bismarck from SRD this AM and decided to give it a go after my shower. I ordered the red scale, but got black. No matter - its a looker. I don't know a dull from a sharp straight blade so I'm assuming Lynn had done his job and this is the benchmark.

Lathered up as usual (Muhle aloe soap today) let it sit for a bit and then dove in and went to work.

Spend most of the shave try to figure out the best way to hold, and stretch and not cut myself open. The blade went across my face in a fairly rough manner - so I've got work to do there. I managed not to cut myself and got a workable shave on the neck and a XTG/ATG pass on the cheeks.

The blade felt a lot like my uber-aggro Muhle open comb (the old one - the 49?), and it felt quite delicate. As the shave progressed I started to figure it out a little better. Will just need more practice.

The final shave yielded some irritation on the neck - which I knew would happen - but managed a BBS on the cheeks. They're no too hard. My face smarts a bit - the skin will need to get used to the razor. I had the same issue when I first switched to DEs.

Though I had little control over the razor (and it shows), it'll be a tool like any other that I'll finesse over time. I'll stick with it for the time being. Up for tomorrow - Round 2!

If you got the razor from SRD, it should be honed correctly. With that in mind, watch your angle. Improper angle can make it feel as if it's ripping the hair out instead of shaving it. Make sure your stretching the skin, and do a good prep. It'll take time, but once you get it, you'll really start to enjoy it, and look forward to each shave....

+1 on the above

and you should remember that the irritated places of your face needs to rest
so if you can wait id recomend that
if not you may want to revert to your old gear on those places till it recovers

Hello, Juddc:

The advice by these two learned gentlemen is sound. Yes, it will take time. Keep the razor pressure light and take your shave a little at a time. You'll get there.

Regards,

Obie

Welcome aboard. Congrats on your first shave. If SRD honed your razor it's scary sharp. Lynn has honed all of my razors and am totally satisfied with them.

Thanks all. Went for a second shave today. Used Floris instead of Muhle - gave me a little more cushion. Did some newbie stropping (for what thats worth) Cheeks & face went alright, chin went alright too, but the blade was bouncing off the neck. Eesh.

The shave isn't comfortable at all yet. I think I'll try a little olive oil prior to lathering tomorrow. Got a fairly good shave - some more irritation on the neck that lasted a few hours. Stropped again and touched up the neck. This was a little better. Practice practice practice....