Thread: Failed

Yes, I got the "poor man strop" from Larry. I figured I go the cheap route until I figure out what I'm doing before spending money on better razor, strop, etc. I doubt I dulled the blade, because I'm telling you, once the razor hit my skin, it didn't move. I pulled it back, toweled off the shaving cream and tried again. It kept tugging on my skin, so I gave up for the day.

If I had it to do over again, I would not have tried to hack off my 3-4 days worth of growth with my first straight razor shave. It's so much easier to get that one day worth of stubble cut down.

I highly suggest that you shave with whatever method you are most comfortable and then try it again 24 hours later with the straight. One day worth of stubble is much easier than a few weeks worth of beard.

Buy a cheap barber's electric clippers (Wahl is a standard brand, but other brands are coming in from China for about $15), or borrow one.

It'll get rid of the beard with less fuss than anything you can do with a blade, and leave you with very short stubble. Then you can start learning how to shave -- starting with your cheek.<g>

Charles

shorts,

I am also a newbie, about one month in and finally just doing my full shave with a straight. The best thing I found so far was the post on uberlather. It really helped my shave. Try to wait until you have all the things you need before staring your first shave, strop, balm, aftershave, etc. I couldn't wait and put a freshly honed, by Lynn, razor to my face and gave myself a good cut. I was using shave gel from a can. Most of all keep at it. My days of the mach 3 in the shower are long gone, I finally know what a shave should be.

Originally Posted by Fbones24

The neck is probably the hardest part to master. You will probably be shaving with a straight for 6 months to a year before you feel 100% comfortable shaving your neck. The hair growth is usually wacky and the angles are uncomfortable. I recommend that you read the wiki, especially the part for beginners that suggests starting with just the area of your face below your sideburn on your dominant side. I also would not attempt this with more than 2 days growth for your first shave.

It does not come easy, but stick with it and do not fear the blade. You control the razor, not the other way around.

I agree with Fbones24. A 2-3 week beard is too much growth for a first shave. It will be easy to get the blade stuck if the angle of the blade is wrong with that much growth.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Buy a cheap barber's electric clippers (Wahl is a standard brand, but other brands are coming in from China for about $15), or borrow one.

It'll get rid of the beard with less fuss than anything you can do with a blade, and leave you with very short stubble. Then you can start learning how to shave -- starting with your cheek.<g>

Charles

Sage advice. Even a pair of scissors would be a good start on 3 weeks of growth

Let me just chime in on one thing. I am new to this about 2 or 3 months in now and I have been playing around trying to get my lather down. Well I think I figured it out today and let me tell you it makes a world of difference when you have a good lather that does not dry out fast.

Get that growth down like others have said take a shower that is as hot as you can take it and soak your face. Get a nice lather and let it sit on your face while you strop and then take your time and just enjoy yourself. I use to hate shaving but now that I have discovered St8 shaving I get upset if I miss a day.

At 3 months, I'm working hard on technique - shaving and honing. I'm not very good at it yet, but even if not all parts of a shave are perfect, most parts are way better than any alternative.
The experienced guys here are wonderful. Quality help, great attitudes.

I hope you enjoy the learning & have the best shaves you've ever had.

Wow, it always surprises me how we on here are so much the same yet sometimes so different.

Ever since I first started with straights, the neck has always been the absolute easiest for me. I've never so much as nicked the neck.

The chin at the bone line and right under the nose continue to be my nemesis for our hobby.