Thread: Bad first shave

I figured tonight would be a good night to try straight razor shaving for the first time. I showered first while soaking my brush in hot water. I got out and lathered some castle forbes lime cream (first time lathering also) and applied it to my face. Making lather and knowing what the right consistency is was harder than I thought. I took out my razor and stropped it about 20 times. It is a Dove best quality 6/8 from SRD. I put the razor to my right side burn while stretching the skin. When I started shaving, it hurt like hell. I felt like it was pulling. I guess thats what pulling means because it felt like I was ripping the hairs right out of my face. I did nick myself but not bad. I figured it was the cream so I put more on my face and the samething happened. At this point I obviously knew something was wrong so I stopped, pulled out my mach 3 and using the same lather that was already on my face, I was done about 15 seconds later.
Any tips and pointers except reading wiki which I have done already about 3 times on everything in there and reading the stickys which I have done also?
Thanks,
-Anthony

First, Nice choices for a first shave, CF Lime is awesome...It does take some time to get the consistency down. CF is very dense, and does not take much to whip up a lot of cream...Since you got the razor from SRD, it's a safe bet that it's your angle and not the blade. If the angle is not correct, it will feel like it's ripping your hair out rather than shaving it. Have you done anything to the blade? How did the stropping go...?

Originally Posted by zib

First, Nice choices for a first shave, CF Lime is awesome...It does take some time to get the consistency down. CF is very dense, and does not take much to whip up a lot of cream...Since you got the razor from SRD, it's a safe bet that it's your angle and not the blade. If the angle is not correct, it will feel like it's ripping your hair out rather than shaving it. Have you done anything to the blade? How did the stropping go...?

The stropping went fine. I tried the webbed fabric for about 3 laps followed by the leather. I have the IV bridle long so it's long and wide for a first timer. I just used the weight of the razor. I slowly placed it on the spine and rolled the edge down so I can get used to the feel and did nice swift movements once I did that. I did try several different angles on my face, some more in and more out to try to achieve a comfortable shave and couldn't.

+1

Since SRD did the honing, it's certainly not your razor...it'll be your technique. Don't worry about it, my first shave was about the same. After even a couple shaves, you'll start making self-discoveries and your shaves will improve dramatically. You're entire life, you've had the razor decide which angle is best for you. Now, you have to learn the best angle for you. I've discovered that what looks like thirty degrees isn't...when I look in the mirror, I shoot for forty-five degrees and get great shaves....of course YMMV. You've got the gear, but the true price of admission is patience and perseverance.

Sorry to hear about the rough times.

This site certainly helped me when attempting my first shave, there are tons of threads on it just soaked in advice. What I did was simply learned how to make a proper lather first, using my fusion to shave until I decided thats how I like my lather. Next I followed the noob instructions on the wiki and only shaved the easy parts of my face after watching many videos. Finally after I was able to shave each part of my face individually over a period of a couple weeks I attempted my first full shave and the rest is history.

Best of luck in the future, persevere and win.

I had the exact same experience last night with my first shave with the exact same blade from Vintage Blades. I felt like I was scraping the hair off rather than shaving it. Vintage Blades says all razors are honed by Lynn so I assume it is sharp. However, I just tried the hanging hair test on my razor with a strand of my girlfriend's hair and it did not cut the hair. The hair just bent when I pushed it onto the blade.

Is it possible that our blades are not sharp?

Is the hanging hair test nonsense?

I will try stropping and shaving again tomorrow to see what the outcome is.

Here are the three things you have to get together for the perfect shave; blade prep, beard prep and technique. Providing the razor is good(and it is), here is what you need to work on, correct stropping keeping the blade flat and not rolling the edge or lifting the spine, about 50 laps linen and then leather. Beard prep means to get those whiskers soft, using good hot water and getting a good lather and applying it generously and work it in. Technique is getting the blade at the correct angle no matter where it is on your face. Take your time(relather if you have to) and a mental review as you go along and don't expect phenomenal results the first couple of months. It is just a matter of time and you will be a pro.

One more tip to help you along, when you look at the contours of your face break them down into smaller flat planes(this helps especially on the chin) and then you can adjust the angle and the stroke to accomodate your needs.

Good luck and happy shaving!

Anthony,

++1 on nun2sharp's advice. Blade prep, beard prep and technique are all very important in str8 razor shaving.

First, how did you prep your beard? Hot Shower? Splashing hot water from the sink on your face? Hot towels? Any of the preceding mehods will help soften your whiskers before the shave. Good beard prep will even compensate somewhat for a poor lather which takes some time to master.

Second, given the fact you purchased your razor from SRD you probably didn't need to strop your razor for your first shave. That being said, 3 laps on the fabric and 20 on the leather is, imho, too few laps on the fabric and leather. I usually give my razor 50 laps on the fabric and 55 on the leather before shaving.

Finally, is technique. Hold the blade at an angle of 15-30 degrees when shaving. Too flat and it won't shave at all. Too steep and you'll cut the heck out of your face.

Above all all, go slow and be patient. Over time and with experience your shaves will improve.

Originally Posted by Fbones24

However, I just tried the hanging hair test on my razor with a strand of my girlfriend's hair and it did not cut the hair. The hair just bent when I pushed it onto the blade.

Is it possible that our blades are not sharp?

Is the hanging hair test nonsense?

I don't think the HHT is the be-all, end-all of sharpness tests. My hair is very fine, as it is with everybody in my family, and I've never gotten such a test to work, even a blade freshly honed by Lynn. I wouldn't set too much store by it.

I like a gentle thumbnail test myself, but the only real test is the shave itself.

The straight razor shave is a real skill, and must be acquired with care and practice. Don't expect even your first dozen shaves to be a revelation in what the shave experience should be!

Aside from reading all the material for beginners here (and possibly finding a local mentor to help), be sure to check out the videos on YouTube by Jockeys. Nothing like seeing it being done close up to help understand how it's supposed to go.

Do be careful when stropping. Some Dovos are very hollow ground, and you can easily roll an edge with bad technique.

Good luck!

Fred

I agree with nun2sharp and jhenry on the three components of a good shave. From what you described, My bet is on the stropping. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it and when I started, I rolled a lot of edges. It's true that if the blade was freshly honed, the stropping wasn't necessary but it would be on subsequent shaves. As for the hanging hair test, to me it's a parlour trick. I've rarely seen one of my razors pass it. I also get great shaves with the blades that failed the HHT.