My birthday is Wednesday so I decided to travel up to Denver to visit The Art of Shaving store and make a few purchases. I bought a new carbon steel straight razor accoutered with the shaving balm/creme/oil and a strop. I decided to give it a go last night after having thought I read all I needed to do to give it a try.
I was frustrated, scared and discouraged.
First, can anyone suggest how to hold one's facial skin taut after it's been oiled and creamed? I was having trouble holding on to my skin. Should I only lather one part of my face at a time?
I tried shaving my neck, but couldn't maneuver the razor to go with the grain because the hair on my neck grows out toward my ears.
I read the instruction paper from Thiers Issard and it said I shouldn't strop the razor until after several shaves. I thought I had read on straight razor place that I should strop before and after. So I tried stropping with a Dovo hanging strop after the shave, I was very afraid of bending the razor and I just felt awkward...reminded me of when I first began playing the guitar.
Gentlemen, any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.