Thread: First Straigh Razor Shave

Good Morning All...at least, it's morning where I am...lol. Newbie here...as the title suggests, I did my first str8 shave today. If y'all will indulge me, here goes:
I get up at my usual time of day like I'd be going to the gym, except today is my "weekend" away from the Gym. We work 7 days a week and I work out 5 days a week, Wednesday thru Sunday. I know the dynamics of the Gym as a personal Trainer and I know that Monday and Tuesday are the busiest days so I just call that my weekend. Plus, for my fist time with the straight, I'd rather have full coordination and not be struggling to lift my arms...lol. Anyway...I get up at 0400hrs like it's a normal day with the intention of beating the crowd to the shower facility. We have "common/public shower" trailers and facilities out here so...I'm hoping to beat the crowds there too. No sense trying to wield a stright razor for the first time while joslting for sink/counter/mirror space.
I got my shower and kept my face wet then proceeded to the sink to shave. My pre-shave routine with the DE is usually to wet the face, apply baby oil to my wet face, make the lather with my bowl and brush and then shave, so...I kept those variables the same except I substituted the Dovo Best Quality courtesy of Lynn at SRD. Was I nervous...yep...you betchurass I was. I remember reading somewhere about one must have a healthy respect for shaving with a tool that could turn into a weapon and take your head clean off...so yeah, the nerves had to settle. Thankfully, I had the sink to my left and right unoccupied so I had more wiggle room. I had read ALOT on this forum and knew to keep my expectations low, even with Lynn's outstanding post about the First Shave. I did, however, decide to jump in feet first and shave the whole face. Was it a mistake...I don't think so. I've been rather fortunate in having some degree of proficiency with tools and blades in the past so I decided to up the ante against Lynn's recommendations. My father did instill a high degree of respect in knives and guns and my Grandaddy drilled it into me about respect for tools so I approached this as such. This "tool" is there to serve me, I am the master but MUST respect it. Same as with golf...the clubs are there to do your bidding but you must know how to use them to acheive that result.
So...the shave went well...just one small nick under the base of the jaw where it rounds near the ear. As I was shaving, I almost broke into a grin when folks were coming in and watching me out of the corners of thier eyes. Trust me, I do what I do because I like doing it but it sure was neat to see guys working at not gawking at me with the str8. The actual shave went ok. Certainly not as close as my DE BUT...given that this is a profoundly new experience and different skill set, that is totally to be expected and I had to remain realistic. I actually experience less difficulty moving from dominant to non-domininat hands to shave than I expected, although finding the grip was interesting. I keep a goatee and the area on the sides actually were more challenging than under my chin...go figure huh. Anyway...my focus right now is in learing the process, finding the stroke, working the strop and all of that. I know the results will come...again, same as golf and weightlifting...you have to become proficient in the fundamentals and accept that the results will come later. As the proficiency rises, often the results don't just move in a straight line correlation but often move in a parabolic, exponential fashion. I found out that I have to work at keeping the blade at the proper angle. I tend to get flat with the blade and the spine sits too low. I think I read last night to consider using the last finger joint as a guide but didn't remember that tip until just now...lol.
All in all it was a real treat to be able to do the str8 razor shave. I'm nowhere near close to being "proficient" and I'll keep a DE with me for now in case things aren't working that day. When I finished and got back to my room, the Carribean Bay Run came out with a few splashes on my face and it was an invigorating finish to the whole shave. It certainly instilled me with a higher sense of being able to take on the world. Funny how something as simple and "old fashioned" as str8 razor shaving (or other "old school" processes) can get you charged up ready to meet the day. Cerainly start the day off feeling like a bad-a$$...lol.
Thanks to all of you for "listening" and letting me share this. Thanks go out to Lynn as well. The dvd is SO informative (I'll have to watch it quite a few times to digest it all) and the strop/razor set is spot on the mark. I've just been "palming" it whenever I go by it and have managed to get a few leather slivers so I know that my stropping technique needs work too. One question for anyone...do you have to do the linen AND leather and if so, do you HAVE to paste the linen? Y'all have a good day and a great str8 shave. Rich.

Great post! Welcome to SRP!!

Sounds like you are off to a great start!!

Great job on the first shave.

Originally Posted by certifiedbodyman

...It certainly instilled me with a higher sense of being able to take on the world. Funny how something as simple and "old fashioned" as str8 razor shaving (or other "old school" processes) can get you charged up ready to meet the day. Cerainly start the day off feeling like a bad-a$$...lol.

It's so true. I feel so much more put together after a straight razor shave. It really gives my whole day a boost!

Congrats on your shave!

--Shoki

Originally Posted by certifiedbodyman

...do you have to do the linen AND leather and if so, do you HAVE to paste the linen? Y'all have a good day and a great str8 shave. Rich.

You do not need to use the linen every time. Some believe that the linen is unnecessary. If you do choose to use linen, do not paste it. Then again, if you do paste your linen, then do not use it every day.

I'll clarify.

You use leather before every shave. If you choose, and I recommend it, you use linen before the leather before every shave. If you do choose to use the linen strop daily, then you cannot paste it. Pasted strops are for the occasional touch up of a razor that is no longer performing adequately.

I love reading about people's first shaves. Great job man, you will be getting amazing shaves before you know it, and with the manliest of methods as well.

Originally Posted by markevens

I love reading about people's first shaves. Great job man, you will be getting amazing shaves before you know it, and with the manliest of methods as well.

I've read some of your posts too and they've been both informative and helpful. Thanks for the encouragement.

Originally Posted by Utopian

You do not need to use the linen every time. Some believe that the linen is unnecessary. If you do choose to use linen, do not paste it. Then again, if you do paste your linen, then do not use it every day.

I'll clarify.

You use leather before every shave. If you choose, and I recommend it, you use linen before the leather before every shave. If you do choose to use the linen strop daily, then you cannot paste it. Pasted strops are for the occasional touch up of a razor that is no longer performing adequately.

Leather before every shave...got it...and if I DO use linen, do so before the leather and without paste...cool...thanks again for everyone's encouragement

@ Utopian:

Thanks. I have a SRD Red Latigo 3" strop with the standard webbing. Your advice on pasting / linen was helpful. I was considering doing it but will hold off, I use the fabric prior to the leather. Will maybe make a pasted balsa strop (saw a post on this somewhere, need to look it up again). Being an architecture student I have a CRAP TON of balsa around for models.

@ Certified:

Glad to here you are having successful first shaves, man! I have recently started myself and am loving it. Good post.

Originally Posted by amt

@ Utopian:

Thanks. I have a SRD Red Latigo 3" strop with the standard webbing. Your advice on pasting / linen was helpful. I was considering doing it but will hold off, I use the fabric prior to the leather. Will maybe make a pasted balsa strop (saw a post on this somewhere, need to look it up again). Being an architecture student I have a CRAP TON of balsa around for models.

@ Certified:

Glad to here you are having successful first shaves, man! I have recently started myself and am loving it. Good post.

If you are looking for a strop to paste I would recommend the SRD modified paddle strop. you can get extra felt pads to add whatever pastes or sprays you want to it. I have 3 felt pads with 1.0 .5 and .25 diamond spray on them. Plus the rough leather that comes with it can be used with crox if you want to or stand alone. The smooth leather that also comes with the strop is so butter smooth when you strop and is real nice.

Just my suggestion as I love mine.