Thread: Baptised-1st Shave Tonight

Call it beginners luck.

I recieved my Dovo Bismarck 6/8th this evening and knew I was going to be in for something special. My first shave was everything I expected it would be and I faired far better than my expectations as a rookie.

After a hot shower, I did use a pre-shave oil which was purchased as a gift from Art of Shaving and was not sure what to expect from it. It seemed to make my whiskers stand up when applied and while I built my lather I noticed the oil also seemed to open my pores a bit. The lather went on nice and smooth as well. I used an almond sized drop of AOS creme and built up and pretty nice and thick lather in a ceramic cereal sized bowl.

I started off with the right side of my face as a precaution, and was surprised that I was able to do it along with my neckline. I then switched sides and hands. It was not until I got to my chin that I experienced the difficulty. My technique gave me the hardest time here, but from what I've read this is somewhat expected to be the most challenging. I managed and did make it through the entire shave with the straight sustaining no cuts. My face feels amazing althought there is a bit of stubble here and there. Nothing major. I hope that as my technique get's better the shave will as well. Practice and advice will get me there.

One major question. My razor was shave ready so I did not strope before shaving. I did take the advice of some of the post's I've read and did a light strope after the shave as I read it would rid any additional moisture. Should I continue with the after the shave strope or is it more important to do it beforehand?

A big thank you to all that have given advice both directly and indirectly, I made it through my 1st shave tonight because of you guys. Amazing feeling and I could not be happier my Gillette's in the trash can.