Thread: Another new guy first shave

Well, I finally got all my shaving kit together yesterday and prepped for my first SR shave. I used a beautiful NOS 7/8 Henckels Friodur that I bought from hi_bud_gl. While it wasn't the best shave of my life, I came through it with my head still on my neck. In fact, I didn't even get a nick! I was just going to shave my jawline and stop there, but after a few smooth passes I just decided to keep going. I did have a pucker factor of about 9.8 through the whole shave, though... that shiny 7/8 looked like a butcher knife against my throat! I now have a healthy respect for my grandfather (and everyone else) who did (and those who still do) this every day.

I'm hooked! w00t!

congratulations.
so you like them big eh, normally we'd suggest a smaller razor, but at the end of the day its your choice.

Thanks, gugi. I think that I'm going to use a vintage 5/8 Boker King Cutter for my next shave. Like trucks, guns, and chainsaws, I got the "bigger is better" bug with the Henckles 7/8. I think I'll slow it down a bit and just take it easy and learn the right way!

Way to go , Larry! If you spend a bit of time refining your technique with that 7/8 you will be blown away at how nimble a smaller blade will seem to you. Baby steps, man. Baby steps. Just keep plugging away and you will get progressively better shaves.

Thanks for the encouragement, Block! I think I would do well to heed your baby steps advice. I'm sure I'll get there soon enough. My face feels like I shaved with a cheese grater after the 7/8. I have lots of work to do on technique!

Cheers,

Larry

Congratulations. Keep at it and in a year's time, you'll be one of those guys the newbies admire fordoing it every day.

By the way, just how do you measure the pucker factor?

Congrats on surviving the first of many. A 7/8 is a large blade to begin straight shaving with. My guess is you'll find the Boker much more maneuverable. My first two or three weeks I finished my mustache, chin and on either side of the windpipe with my Merkur Slant and a Feather. No shame in dipping your foot in the water rather than diving in. Read my sig below and follow the old barber's advice to avoid nicks and cuts. Still works for me.

Thanks, Jimmy. I had your sig line advice constantly in mind while shaving, and it saved my neck a few times! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's shave, now that the razor burn has finally subsided.

Originally Posted by leadduck

Congratulations. Keep at it and in a year's time, you'll be one of those guys the newbies admire fordoing it every day.

By the way, just how do you measure the pucker factor?

I think it was the lump of coal that I pulled out as a diamond when I was done!

Thanks again, Guys,

Larry