Thread: first shave...no good

Well, this morning I performed my first straight razor shave. I was expecting to be delighted with how easily the razor glided over the skin, leaving behind nothing but super-smoothness. But instead, I was somewhat disappointed. My new razor pulled the entire way down on both cheeks (WTG). I tried a bit near the chin but didn't have the gall to keep going and ended up finishing the shave with my mach3.

For those of you who have switched from safety razors, remember how it felt when it was getting time to change your blade? It didn't glide smoothly or cut well...it pulled. Well that's how the straight razor felt this morning. Pulling down my entire face and tearing (instead of shaving) the hair. It was horribly rough everywhere until I switched back to my m3, which allowed my to finish smooth & clean.

Now I know your first instinct is to tell me to sharpen/strop the razor. It must be dull, etc. BUT I purchased this blade not more than 1 week ago from hi_bud_gl and he said it was honed, stropped, and truly shave ready. Judging from the reputation he has on SRP, I am inclined to believe him.

Have I read the first shave wiki? Yes.
Have I watched videos of the straight razor shave? Yes.
Pulling my skin taught? Yes.

I use Proraso soap and an Omega boar's bristle brush. I know these are somewhat low quality compared to what some of you use, but I have used them for safety razor shaves and am able to work the soap into a nice foaming lather, that allows effortless gliding on my skin.

I'm trying to keep 15 degrees between the blade and the skin....What am I doing wrong?

First time shavers usually have issue with using the right angles which leads to pulling sensation. Another thing to consider, if I m reading your post right, you have never shaved with a straight before so you will have to give your face some time to get used to the blade.
Practice will improve your experience dramatically with time.

Sounds like my first shave.

if the razor truly is shave ready. then that leaves technique,
have a play you can`t expect to get it right first time, it took me a good week or so before i had my first "comfortable" shave and much longer to begin getting smooth.

try moving your angle out slightly for me its probbaly closer to 30 degrees that seems to work for my skin.

Hello, anjp:

Those first few shaves frequently are disappointing as one struggles to figure out to become familiar with the straight razor. You obviously have done your reading. Now comes the performance.

We can be certain your razor is sharp, especially if honed by an SRP pro. Also, we can assume your preparation is extensive and proper. Now the shave.

1. The angle varies, usually, up to about 30 degrees. That number is arbitrary. All the angle degrees are arbitrary. The degree changes depending on where you are on your face.
2. Keep your razor strokes short.
3. Keep the razor pressure light. Let the razor's weight be all the pressure you need.
4. Don't rest the razor on your face; keep it moving.
5. Watch your stretching.
6. Divide your face into geographical regions and maneuver the razor accordingly.
7. Whether using one hand or two, use a technique that feels most comfortable to you.
8. Throw the clock away.
9. Relax.
10. Focus.
11. Have patience. A little at a time.
12. Finally: you will get there, don't worry. Just be methodical and study your movements.

Keep us informed.

Regards,
Obie

you are doing everything right except last sentenced.your angle .try make short strokes and until you will find right angle.if my memory not misteken your blade sharpened without tape. This gives me idea you should increase angle.try it and see what happens.

Originally Posted by anjp

Well, this morning I performed my first straight razor shave. I was expecting to be delighted with how easily the razor glided over the skin, leaving behind nothing but super-smoothness. But instead, I was somewhat disappointed. My new razor pulled the entire way down on both cheeks (WTG). I tried a bit near the chin but didn't have the gall to keep going and ended up finishing the shave with my mach3.

For those of you who have switched from safety razors, remember how it felt when it was getting time to change your blade? It didn't glide smoothly or cut well...it pulled. Well that's how the straight razor felt this morning. Pulling down my entire face and tearing (instead of shaving) the hair. It was horribly rough everywhere until I switched back to my m3, which allowed my to finish smooth & clean.

Now I know your first instinct is to tell me to sharpen/strop the razor. It must be dull, etc. BUT I purchased this blade not more than 1 week ago from hi_bud_gl and he said it was honed, stropped, and truly shave ready. Judging from the reputation he has on SRP, I am inclined to believe him.

Have I read the first shave wiki? Yes.
Have I watched videos of the straight razor shave? Yes.
Pulling my skin taught? Yes.

I use Proraso soap and an Omega boar's bristle brush. I know these are somewhat low quality compared to what some of you use, but I have used them for safety razor shaves and am able to work the soap into a nice foaming lather, that allows effortless gliding on my skin.

I'm trying to keep 15 degrees between the blade and the skin....What am I doing wrong?

anjp,

Don't get discouraged. Your first shave is not always the best. Not only does your face have to adjust to the str8 razor, but you have to relearn how to shave (ie. proper blade angle, angle of whisker growth, etc.). Be patient and take it slow. After a couple of shaves on one side of your face only WTG, try shaving WTG as well as XTG. Then too, your blade angle may be too small. Try increasing it a bit, somewhere between 15 and 30 degrees.

You can also strop your razor more...I usually strop my razor 50 stroke on the fabric and 50 on the leather before shaving. What I would not do is hone it at this point. That's an entirely new and different skill that you don't need to try to learn this early in your str8 razor shaving experience.

BTW...There's nothing wrong with Proraso shave cream/soap and/or an Omega boar shaving brush. Many SRP members use them and get quality shaves with their str8 razors.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

This sounds very much like my first shave. The first thing I can say is it will come in time, enjoy the journey and take pleasure in small wins (sometimes I'm just happy to have had the confidence to shave with a straight). The angle for me was key. Be careful in going to steep as the razor will dig in. Keep with it and remember it is less about the end result, and more about the journey. Enjoy yourself and most importantly have fun! You'll get there, I'm still a newbie and know exactly what you are going through. Believe me, it only gets better. It just takes time.

Sham knows how to hone a razor very well, so we know that's not the problem. Shaving with a straight razor is VERY hard, it takes skill and efforts to get a nice shave, unlike a safety razor which you can just swipe around on your face and get good results. Your stropping has to be correct or you can dull things pretty fast and then that can lead to more frustration. Make sure your stretching very tight on your skin, it's going to take a few months to learn what angles and directions to need to attack the hairs to get good results.

Learning to straight shave is like learning to play piano and read music notation, you can't do it in a few light swipes of your hand. It's going to take a while.

+1 to Obie

go through Obie's list.

-Also, beard types vary. A more coarse beard will defiantly give you a little more trouble.
-Short strokes. Don't try to clean your face with one swipe.
-Don't go over an area with no cream on it to many times
-learn sections at a time. Cheeks and sideburn area are an easy spot. Start there and increase your area as your skill increases.

When I started, I shaved only 3 times a week with a straight. I did this so my face can get used to a blade being dragged over it. I can now shave everyday with no problem.

Early days anjp: don't be disheartened. Every one of Obie's twelve points is a good one, especially the bit about getting rid of the clock. My guess is that everything will come right given practice and experimentation with your angle of attack. The payoff is well worth some perseverance.