Thread: first shave

hey guys

i did my first shave tonight. no cuts or nicks but i also didnt get that close. Can anyone help? for some reason when i shave i feel like my razor skips and does not shave well. how do i know if the razor isnt sharp enough or my technique is wrong

FWIW:

This is subjective:

. . . When the razor is really sharp, there's a "magic angle" that lets the razor
. . . cut the beard, and remove _all_ the lather, with hardly any pressure on the blade.

It takes a while to find that angle.

If you must use pressure on the blade to cut the beard hairs, the razor probably isn't sharp enough. If the razor "skips" over the beard, it probably isn't sharp enough.

I also use the "tree-top" test (which works for me, maybe not for you):

. . . Hold the razor flat against my forearm, lift the whole blade 1/4"
. . . (edge and spine both off the skin), and see if the
. . . edge "pops" arm hair as you move it. That is, try to shave your arm with the
. . . whole blade 1/4" above the skin.

It's a very distinct feeling when it works, but "working" depends on how coarse your hair is.

Charles

First question that will be on everyone's mind is, was it proffesionally honed by a reputable honemeister?

Getting a good shave from a straight takes more than a sharp razor, but good technique as well. No beginner has good technique, so you have to expect sub par shaves for awhile. Read the wiki, watch some of the good shaving videos, and when you shave focus on executing good technique.

And yes, if your razor is sharp, you will get a bad shave no matter what. I still suspect technique, because I would expect more nicks and irritation with a less than shave ready razor though.