First str8 shave

[EnGarde]

...didn't go so good. I have watched Lynns video, read everything I can and got ready this morning to give it a go. The pkan was to just do my right and left cheek and then finish up with my MachIII. Secretly however I had straight shaved many times in my head prior to this and figured I could do the whole thing.

Oh man was I wrong. I found that I have steel cables for whiskers. Add to the fact that when I finally put blade to skin I was trembling a litttle. I didn't "think" I was nervous and I had no more than the usual amount of coffee today.

I am getting the angle wrong and not going far enough to get it to cut. I am esentially exfoiliating the hell out of my cheek. (OK I burnt it pretty good)

I took a shower then lathered up using some williams soap that came with my kit. Its weird because evarytime I got close to the point where I thought it was starting to pluck some whiskers off my face I think I may have backed off a little. It felt as though the blade was bouncing up and down off them.

This shit is dangerous... and I can't wait until tomorrow to give it another shot. I think try much harder at softening up my stubble with some hot face clothes first though.

Did anyone else here have a rough time when they first got started?

[superfly]

Wait a bit... What razor do you have? Where did you get it? And most importantly, did someone sharpen that for you? Do not attempt to shave the second time untill you know for sure that your blade is sharp. It should not pull more than Mock3. Also, the tremble is perfectly normal, you are putting seriosely sharp steel unguarded on your face.

Nenad

[xman]

I'm with Nenad. The condition of your razor must be assessed. Please also tell us about your stropping.
Incidentally, some guys have complained that the Mock3 finish actually caused the irritation. Skip it and see.
Also, try going without any coffee. You might feel a little groggy as you lather, but as soon as you pick up that blade I guaratee you'll start waking up. By the end of the shave you should feel refreshed, relaxed and alert.

X

[gglockner]

Lets say you do have steel cables for whiskers. You might want to shave with only a half of days growth or even less. Besides the keen razor required, you will need extra prep. Hot towels and whatever it takes to soften up that beard. You can try a bit of conditioner in with your Williams soap. There are better soaps out there, but you should be able to get a good shave with it.

Glen

oh, and welcome to the SRP

[EnGarde]

wow - fast responses....

Its one of Tony's starter kits with a 5/8 (I think) Dovo. Sorry I forgot to mention that. He said that he sends it out ready to shave. I am certain its me - not his product.

[xman]

Shave ready should still be stropped immediately before shaving, every time. Did you do that?

X

[EnGarde]

...nope.

[xman]

Be sure to hold that strop very taught and don't press the blade into the strop, just rest it on the strop and draw it gently from one side to the next in an 'x' pattern for at least 30 laps (up and back), even as much as 60 laps doesn't hurt provided you have the correct technique. Flip over with the spine down as you change directions. Go VERY slowly and watch very carefully to make sure you are stropping the whole blade equally. Too many of us have knocked a great shaving edge off the blade by incorrect stropping so watch out for draggin the blade over the edge of the strop or lifting the spine off the strop or any other badness like that. Let us know after that.

X

[aschaab]

Hi,

aside from the comments on stropping etc. I have two other points to add :

1) The prep: How long did you let the lather work into your beard ? For me after showering its still around 2-3 minutes before I start to shave (this includes a thorough working with the brush plus letting it rest while preparing the razor). The stiffer your beard, the more you have to invest from the prep-side

2) While reading your description I recall my first time with a str8 razor - I was afraid of this sharp blade and therefore did not really dare to do a stroke like I do nowadays - looking back I think I was giving too little "guidance" (could also be read as (very!) gentle pressure) to the razor but rather let it hubble across my stubble .... Therefore your experience sounds very familiar to me.

So I would recommend concentrating on prep and then just try short strokes on the cheeks, concentrating on angle and movement/guidance of the edge.

Don't fear moving the razor around your face, the only moments I cut myself so far were with the edge resting on the skin, never while moving.

Don't be discouraged, its a skill that has to be learned ...

Good luck,
-Axel-

[deepweeds]

I also find prepping the beard to be key.

1) shower, wash face with Noxema.
2) hot wet towel pressed over beard and neck, one minute (fold a washcloth nearly in half, run folded edge from sideburn to sideburn with fingertips, and hold cloth against face and neck with palms and heels of hands).
3) lather up with brush, then rub lather into beard gently with fingers.
4) strop razor while lather sits on face.
5) hot wet towel over lather, one minute.
6) wipe off lather, and again, hot towel, one minute.
7) lather up second time, and shave the first pass.
8) rinse, lather up third time, and shave second pass.

By working with a sharp razor and with good prep, I can focus on shaving technique knowing that any troubles I'm having arise from simply having to learn to shave all over again.