Thread: Tomorrow is the day

Hi

I'm also a newcomer and my first straight shave was yesterday. I got myself to nice shallow cuts, one on my chin and one on my cheek.

I think my blade angles weren't consistently 30 deg.

Someone told me to feel my stubble to find where the grain changed under the chin and neck. I found that the easiest part. The chin is the worst mind.

Second day of straight shaving, tried to have a go without stropping, not a wise idea. Lots of razor burn and even after significant aloe my face is still on fire. So I stropped, the blade is shave ready again. And I cut my strop....grrrr....

good news same number of gouges but they are smaller today. Must persevere

Originally Posted by Freyr

Second day of straight shaving, tried to have a go without stropping, not a wise idea. Lots of razor burn and even after significant aloe my face is still on fire. So I stropped, the blade is shave ready again. And I cut my strop....grrrr....

good news same number of gouges but they are smaller today. Must persevere

Nice progress. I diced up my strop pretty well too. I think it comes with the building the muscle memory. I was terrified of stropping at first cause I didn't want to damage the blade or the strop, but as you found out, it's unavoidable.

Keep on chugging along my friend, you'd be amazed how quickly things fall into place. I sure am.

Three down, face is protesting. I am having trouble hitting that perfect angle where the razor glides over my face and removes hair at the same time. I hit it now and then but it remain elusive, probably because the angle seems different on different parts of my face. Nice gouge again today. I can see progress but I need, or rather my face needs a break. I think I will go without shaving tomorrow.

WTG and XTG are going well on my cheeks but the spike point continues to be a challenge. More after the next shave.

Lot's of responses. Good luck on your shave. You can use a little toothbrush holder available in Wal Mart or Target. They work well, and travel well. I think this tip was on Lynn's DVD....

My plan was to take today off but I felt good about it and my face was fine this morning so I took a run at it. I am still having problems on my neck but my cheeks are actually getting good, bordering on BBS. I am still using my disposible for my chin and detail work on my upper lip, but it's only been a week.

When tightening the skin of my neck should I be pulling opposite the direction of growth (ie ATG) or opposite the way I am shaving?

On my neck, depending on which part I am shaving I stretch differently, though, for the most part I try to stretch ATG.
As for your lather, I didn't read where you got that sorted out, is the lather is too dry, you can add just a few drops of water to the base of the brush, then whip it up some more. When you look at the top of the brush, if there are still holes in the hairs, you are still too dry.
Remember, there's no rush here. If your face hurts or you are getting consistent razor burn, take a break, your face will thank you.
Also, find a post by jimmy and read his sig, it's some of the best advice around.