Intro and 1st SR shave

Hi SRP ihave been lurking in here for about of month leaching the knowledge from here. The first time I started to shave with a non-multiblade was with a shavette to see if I liked the idea and feelof the SR shave. Well the first time was rough but I got a lot better with my shavette so I took the plunge and got a real SR. Now after reading here I know there are to schools of thought for the first razor. A) the 6/8 half or quarter hollow round point. Or B) full hollow spike. Well I went with B. I got a dovo 5/8 full hollow spike. Also got
So castle and Forbes shaving creme. The shaving creme was different compared to my C&E creme I was using. Well I got my razor honed from Lynn (thanks so much btw). And my strop came in with it. I didn't strop because it didn't need to be as it was already shave ready.
Well needless to say I didn't get a good shave last night. My pre-shave was great and the razor was bleeding edge sharp. Well isliced myfaceacouple times. Small. Very small cuts on curves of my neck. And over all the shave was a little uncomfortable. But after reading and realizing what I was doing I think this issue was my technique. I don't think the angle was correct when I held the blade. It's amazing how much the shavette forgives do to angle because I held the razor the same angle. Now I know to flatten out. Well, hopefully the next shave will be better. But I was a little sad about my shave last night.

That happened to me in a way as well. My first time, I found my grandfather's old razor while I was in the process of rehearsing for the musical Sweeney Todd. I thought I would get more into the story by using a straight. I didn't have a strop, hone, and the blade hasn't been cleaned or used in I don't know how many decades.
I didn't even have any clue what the techniques were and as I was shaving my upper lip, the blade caught and slid sideways and sliced open my upper lip. Bled for a long time.
Shortly after, I decided to learn techniques, get a hone, strop, and everything else. After a few more times of practice, I stopped getting nicks and irritation.

So be prepared for more nicks as you get more proficient. And your hand will steady. (mine took about a month to work all the nerves and shakes out) Don't be discouraged if you don't always get the shave you expect. And have fun. You're doing something most people don't do, and they are missing quite a bit. And your face will become healthier as well.

Best of luck!
Bthr22

Thanks foe the words of encouragement. I'm not quiting by any means. IMO the razor was sharper than the disposables on the shavette. And the blade itself is longer so that took some getting used to. And just like I read on one of Lynne posts you really have to watch that point. On the plus side my top lip is smooth. My neck is a little irritated, but my goatee is perfectly edged. So even though it was a bad shave IMO some good came out of it.

I still have some trouble with my neck as well. I still feel a little prickly after 2 passes, but whenever I grow a goatee, it always looks sharp.

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Originally Posted by Bthr22

That happened to me in a way as well. My first time, I found my grandfather's old razor while I was in the process of rehearsing for the musical Sweeney Todd. I thought I would get more into the story by using a straight. I didn't have a strop, hone, and the blade hasn't been cleaned or used in I don't know how many decades.
I didn't even have any clue what the techniques were and as I was shaving my upper lip, the blade caught and slid sideways and sliced open my upper lip. Bled for a long time.
Bthr22

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mmm...I find that very funny....sooo...how did the musical go?

Sweeney Todd has a lot to answer for.:gth

Don't worry too much about a poor shave first up. Truth is the first month of shaves may be poor.. but they will get better. Just keep at it and there will be little moments each shave that will really impress you and drive you on further.

I wish you great shaves.

Mykel

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Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

mmm...I find that very funny....sooo...how did the musical go?

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The musical was awesome. Easily my favorite musical. The character depth and story are just so astounding. Not the greatest way to get into straight razor shaving, but it was well worth it, because I won't go back.