Thread: First attempt at shaving

Originally Posted by dward

It's too much hassle to take my kit with me, plus the fear of those items coming up missing after the "TSA look through" of my checked bags.

Has any one ever had any trouble with tsa taking there razors?

Originally Posted by kd7skx

Has any one ever had any trouble with tsa taking there razors?

As long as it isn't in your carry-on, you should be fine. If its part of a toiletry kit, I don't see how it would arouse suspicion.

Well third shave attempt tonight,

Lets just say that I need some more practice. Probably the worst of the three so far. I tried experimenting with blade angle and stretching skin and pressure.

My cheeks didnt get much attention so less than par for them. My neck, not the greatest either. My chin and upper lip sucked. Needless to say it has a slight burn right now.

I took it real slow tonight and tried to focus on each part of my face. I am not discouraged, just a little frustrated. I still love shaving with a straight, just need to work on my patience I guess.

Cant wait for the next one. Look foward to every shave still, even if not the best I know eventually I will get it.

Brian

P.S. On stropping. How do I tell if I have dulled the razor. I keep the spine flush with the strop and take it slow and about 30 strokes. Just want to make sure I am getting it right. Thanks

There is a link in my sig on stropping that should be able to asnwer most questions.

The most important things with stropping are to roll over the spine, not the edge; make sure you lead with the spine, not the edge; and that you don't use much pressure at all, just the weight of the razor. The reason for this last one is that the very edge of a razor is so extremely fragile, that it is easy to "roll" the edge if you are pressing down into the leather. This can often make a razor shave rough.

You might want to up your strokes. If you have a canvas/leather combo strop, do 30 on the canvas and 60 on the leather. If you have leather only, just do the 60 on the leather. Don't be too slow about it either. The stroke should be swift, but then slow down on the turn and do that part carefully. You'll be stropping like a pro before you know it.

+1 on what Mark says.

On cutting strops, I'm somewhat surprised that so many do it when learning. I'm a newbie, too, but only nicked my strop once when (due to my crappy eyesight) saw a spot on my strop. At the end of the stroke, I thought, "What's that???" and then inadvertently jerked my hand and nicked the strop.

If you do what Mark says--make your stroke. STOP. Turn the razor on the spline. Slide the razor up the strop. Flip down on the opposite side. Take your next stroke, and then repeat the process, I don't see how it's possible to nick a strop, IMO. I would think it virtually impossible to nick your strop if you do this.

(Unless you're a dufess like me and go "What's That?" Then, you'll nick your strop).

Moreover, if the scales are loose on the pivot point, slow down! At least for me, a loose scale-pivot point means lack of control over the razor, and this could increase the possibility of nicking the strop.

As well, lack of gimping on the tang makes control more difficult, too. On my razors without gimping, I slow down to maintain control.

I know these things wouldn't bother the experienced guys on the board, but for newbies, slow down when the scales are loose, or the tang lacks gimping. If you don't you'll risk cutting your strop, IMO!

Kent

Originally Posted by klsmsn

+1 on what Mark says.

On cutting strops, I'm somewhat surprised that so many do it when learning. I'm a newbie, too, but only nicked my strop once when (due to my crappy eyesight) saw a spot on my strop. At the end of the stroke, I thought, "What's that???" and then inadvertently jerked my hand and nicked the strop.

Kent

I nicked my strop twords the top on the first try, didnt have a good grip on the razor, since then I pay close attention to my stropping an havent done it since, cross my fingers.

I havent used the canvas side yet, will give it a go tonight. Thanks

Brian

Well Tonight went much better than the last three tries,

I worked on my stretching and tightening of skin while shaving. Worked a long time on building a good lather. And worked more on my stropping, incorporating the canvas part, 30, and the leather, 60.

Overall a much better shave and experience. Even my chin and under my chin got almost smooth, not bbs, but smooth. I am much more satisfied with how tonight went. Still a little irritation, but that is due to too much in some areas, something to work on next time. But defiantly much more comfortable this time.

I think the key is what every one else says and has told me, take your time. I put more time into lather, stropping and shaving technique tonight. The results were a much happier face and a better shave. Still not perfect, but getting there.

Cant wait till the next shave.

Congrats on taking the plunge. Your progression is going exactly as expected. You are well on your way to becoming a str8 shaving expert. I like your attitude particularly. Don't worry about the occaisional nick. If you don't nick yourself now and then, you're just not trying hard enough.

Well I thought I would share this adventure with not just you guys, but the internet world. Started a blog on my adventures thru shaving, manandhisrazor . A little different detail as I am having fun with it on the blog. Hope you enjoy.

Brian

Well it was shave 5 tonight. I must say this is probably the first relaxing and comfortable shave I have had.

The first 4 were ok, but today I only nicked my face a couple times, mostly opening old nicks. Every thing seemed right tonight. The angle, the lather was awesome, the razor was sharp. I just cant explain it. Even my chin is smooth, not bbs, but the whiskers are gone.

I think the next shave I will stark with different strokes, atg and xtg. Thanks for all the help every one have given me.

I will still post for a while probably, but I cant wait to get fairly proficient at it.

Cant wait till the next shave.
Brian