Thread: First real SR shave

Alembic, I used to shave once a week. I love to grow a beard and trim+shave it(with straight shaving the trimming isn't necessary). Because apart from shaving I also like facial hair(sounds almost paradoxical).
And I still shave once a week, but I want to increase the amount of shaving to get a feeling for the technique and build up muscle memory for stropping, which I do daily.

The shaving is easy, as I have a full goatee with mustache and a 5 inch long chinbeard. So I don't have to shave the upper lip or do a coup de maître for the time being. When my technique is good I'll try to do the upper lip.

I try not to use pressure, but sometimes it seems a necessity. It doesn't hurt or feel uncomfortable, so I don't see the harm in that. But I'll try to shave without any pressure the next time(maybe tonight).

Alright,

Just finished another shave, the results:
Cheeks => very good shave
Neck => not so much

Preparation
Shower(using conditioner on the whiskers) => make and apply lather => strop(25 linen, 45 leather) => relather => shave.

The shave
The lather looked and felt the same as last time but it was taken up by my skin rather quickly. Halfway during the first pass I relathered the not-yet-shaven part of my face.

Without using pressure the blade slid easily across my cheeks(WTG), when I came to my neck the blade had some trouble cutting the whiskers, it wasn't uncomfortable, but noticeable.

I then made some new lather as I wasn't satisfied with it. Applied and shaved XTG. Again the cheeks were fine, but the razor had some trouble with the neck. I restropped the razor and the shave was a little better

The aftershave
After cleaning my face with a warm, wet towel I noticed some redness on my neck. Which I had expected after the feeling while shaving. I then finished with a very cold, wet towel and dried my skin.

To tame the red spots, I wetted my alum block and applied to my face and neck. It did not sting at all! Which I found strange, as it usually stings like hell. After cleaning the alum off my face I applied aftershave balm.

Stropped the razor 10 times on the linen and 20 times on the leather.

The feeling
WTG and XTG on the cheeks is flawless, on the neck it is a bit rough, but not bad.
As no ATG was done, it is stubbly in that direction.

The neck doesn't feel bad, the red spots are now(1.5 hours after shaving) almost gone.

Observations
- The razor gives a high-pitched ziiiing when stropped. I assume this is the sharpness(confirmed by shaving arm hairs)
- Closing the pores with a cold towel really works

Next time
- Shower => lather => strop => hot towel => relather => shave
- ATG on the cheeks(but not the neck)
- Even less pressure
- Maybe use a different soap to compare

Cheers,

BrickBag

Sooooo,

I've been a bit lacks in reporting here but I had 3 shaves in the last week. A short report on all 3:

The first of the three
First one was Saturday a week ago. I used the WM Elliot razor(as I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of a DOVO Bismarck), The Body Shop synthetic brush and TBS Maca Root cream.

Prep
Shower => lather => strop => lather => hot towel => lather => shave

The shave
A good shave, used almost no pressure. Was careful at the neck. Did WTG, XTG on cheek and neck. When I wanted to start my ATG pass my girlfriend called me(for no important reason) and I lost my concentration. I tried ATG but I failed, so I stopped.

The result
smooth in WTG and XTG directions. A little rough on ATG on both cheeks. Finished with a cold towel and De Vergulde Hand Aftershave balm after applying and washing off some alum.

The second shave
The Monday following my dad had a retirement reception, so I wanted to get another shave before we went('cause you have to look nice ). I was a little rushed so I nicked myself 3 times.

The prep
Shower => Lather => Strop => Lather => hot towel => lather => shave

The shave
As I said, I was rushed because I had to leave at a certain time. The WTG passes were no problem, but I used a little too much pressure. The XTG pass was bad, I nicked myself 3 times and was really rough on my neck. I didn't even try ATG this time.

The result
3 nicks(2 on the neck, 1 on the back of the jawbone). A decent looking shave and a reddish neck. Both the alum and the balm stung like hell.

The red neck couldn't be noticed because I wore a shirt with a tie, but it was uncomfortable on the neck itself.

The last shave
The last shave was last Saturday, I really took the time on this one and am really pleased with the results.

The prep
Shower => Lather => long strop(40 linen, 80 leather) => relather => not satisfied with the lather itself so rebuilding lather and re-apply => shave

The shave
Using no pressure and 1/2" strokes(compared to the 2" strokes I did before) I had a really pleasurable shave. WTG was a walk in the park.
After WTG the XTG followed on both the cheeks and the neck. Again no problem. The neck felt a little bit irritated, but not as bad as the week before.

I relathered and made an ATG pass on the cheeks(again, very slowly using no pressure at all). WOW, that was really smooth.

The result
Finished with a cold towel, applying alum(didn't sting). Waited a minute and rinsed it off. Then on to the Aftershave balm. The shave was really good. Smooth in all directions on cheeks and almost entirely smooth on the neck, where some little stubble remained.

I was really satisfied with that result, there was a little redding on the neck. But that was gone after about an hour.

The final verdict from SWMBO was "ooooeh, best shave yet!"

I'm gonna try to shave Tuesday or Wednesday(and I really hope I can, cause it's great to do) and report back.

Cheers,

BrickBag

Sounds like you are learning each shave. Such a wonderful feeling, especially when the shaves keep getting better and better. I really like reading threads like yours, watching someone learn with each step.

You are doing a TON of beard prep though. While it doesn't hurt at all, and softer hairs give you a little leeway with still developing technique, you will eventually want to lessen it down. Shower + conditioner + 3 lathers + hot towel is a bit much. I think ideally, one lather should be all you really need. Some guys don't even lather at all, but just use water.

Brickbag - very nicely done. You sure did WAY better than I did. Starting w/ a good, fully prepped edge was also way smarter than I.

You're gonna love this. Great help and attitudes here. 'Wish I'd started a few decades ago.

Originally Posted by markevens

...
You are doing a TON of beard prep though. While it doesn't hurt at all, and softer hairs give you a little leeway with still developing technique, you will eventually want to lessen it down. Shower + conditioner + 3 lathers + hot towel is a bit much. I think ideally, one lather should be all you really need. Some guys don't even lather at all, but just use water.

I know, I just like to take a lot of time for it .

But I shaved yesterday evening(about 22 hours ago) with a prep that was a bit shorter because the beard was only 3 days old.

The prep
Shower => Lather => Strop => Lather&shave
I poured a lot of water in the lather and was afraid it would be too runny, but it became awesome after whipping it around for a minute. I never saw my Bodyshop brush fan out that much with lather. The lather was really moist and soft.

The shave
First pass WTG, really slowly with short strokes. Absolutely no discomfort although I made 2 very small nicks on my adam's apple. But by the second pass(XTG) they weren't bleeding anymore. Second pass gave no problems as I paid extra attention to the angle of the blade (3-4 blade widths on WTG, 1-2 with XTG), so no redness on the neck after two passes. After reapplying the lather I did a ATG pass(spine almost on the skin) on my cheeks and the top of my neck.

The result
Smooth in all directions on my cheeks, really smooth on the top of the neck and a little rough(but still very damn smooth) on the lower neck.

Finished up with a cold towel, applied alum(no sting ), rinsed with cold water after a minute. Then I applied some aftershave balm.

Observations
- The skin on my cheeks still feels really soft, albeit with a small stubble.
- A little red on the neck after the shave, but gone the next morning
- Angles are really important

Next shave I'll try to keep the prep the same and keep the angles in mind

Cheers!

Holy F&%(#@ $H17,

I might as well tell immediately about the result: 0 razor and a damn good shave, really smooth.

Weapon of choice
2 days ago my DoVo Bismarck arrived from johnmrson and I had to wait to shave till today. At first I wasn't impressed with the edge. It cut arm hair, but it didn't feel as sharp as the WM Elliot. Boy was I wrong!

Prep
Hot shower => lather => strop => relather

I first made a lather from "De Vergulde Hand", but it was really bad so I switched to the Macaroot again, which lathered perfectly .

Shave
Awesome! The blade slid over my face really smoothly. The first pass(WTG) was no problem, even on my neck is was smooth sailing no nick on the adamsapple . The XTG pass(after relathering) was very good, I still notice that I can't shave with my left hand(underdeveloped motorskills I guess). After XTG on the cheeks and neck I still had 0 nicks and no burning sensation whatsoever.

So a ATG pass on both the neck and cheeks couldn't be stopped. For good measure I quickly stropped the razor and started the ATG. There was no pulling or nicking, and the hairs were still coming off.

Aftershave
Rinse with warm water, followed by cold. Applied alum(no sting!)

The result

A very happy BrickBag, and a very smooth skin with no irritation. Still a but stubbly on some spots, but not really worth touching up.

Next time
I gave the WM Elliot 6 passes on a lathered coticule because I believe it wasn't up to par anymore(and it was the first razor I ever stropped, so I most likely made it duller). And will shave with that one next time.

Observations
- I have lost the ability to lather "De Vergulde Hand" soap. I'll try a boar's brush next time
- The edge feels really smooth on the skin. But it cuts very well.
- Stropping goes faster while still applying no pressure(technique improvements!) and the leather has a nice draw(broken in about now )

P.S. Although I'm replying to myself, I really think it is good for me to keep a diary to check my progress.

I never go ATG first, but if it works for you, more power to ya!

Bizmarks is a beautiful razor, and one I want to pick up in the future. And again, fun read. I love reading posts of people learning.

Originally Posted by markevens

I never go ATG first, but if it works for you, more power to ya!

Bizmarks is a beautiful razor, and one I want to pick up in the future. And again, fun read. I love reading posts of people learning.

Whoopsie... big ass typo... it's WTG of course. Doing ATG the first pass will cut my face to pieces .

Changed it. And yeah, although it is my second razor, I doubt I'll find a smoother edge soon.

BrickBag,

Congrats on your evolving mastery of the straight razor.

As for ATG...I rarely do so, except for my neck where the hair grows in all sorts of directions.