Thread: First straight razor shave

Well I did it last night. No major injuries either

I had some problems in the common areas but I will keep trying and reading until I am good at it.

I had problems keeping the lather on my face long enough to shave it. My face would also dry up fast to where I had to splash more water on my face to moisten it up. The new brush definately seems to work up a lather faster and thicker but staying longer didn't happen.

Maybe someone here can point me to a link of info on shave creams and doing it the right way. I assume its me and my lack of knowledge and skill. Next week I should have a good bit more soaps to try and also and fancy shave mug and strop so I can have something to compare to.


Actually only a couple minor nics and some razor burn but all in all it went well and look forward to doing it again.

Way to go! Glad there were no major injuries. So far as your lather goes, there's lots of right ways to do it. I like mine to be really wet but not watery. What soap are you using? Some (like Burt's Bees) don't lather well.

You can also try some of the shaving creams. I like Taylors of OBS and Crabtree & Evelyn and several others. The creams stay workable longer.


P.S. cogratulations on no major injuries.

the soap was Dragons Blood.

I might go to Target and grab some of that paroso if I get a chance.

Nothing says you can't re-apply lather halfway through the shave.

I typically have to freshen my lather when using soaps. Williams, Colgate, Proraso... doesn't matter much. I can't count how many times I had to lather for my first shave which took a really, really long time. I agree with Rich that creams tend to lather better for me and last longer. Vulfix & Taylor of Old Bond Street are nice. I've tried both in Sandalwood, and I think Vulfix has Taylor's beat for aroma.

Congratulations on your first shave pitbulls! It always takes time to learn a new skill and there are a few aspects to this one. You'll get there soon enough with the proper attention.

I've been using creams, but still find that if my brush isn't saturated with enough water my lather can dry up during the shave. Try lathering with a wetter brush and see if that makes any differrence.

X

Congrats on the successful first shave. As for creams, I got some Taylor's of Old Bond Street Rose cream from www.ClassicShaving.com and it's really nice. I usually have to apply some water to my face with the brush part way through my shave to keep it all moist. As time goes by, you'll get better at judging how much water to use to get and keep a good lather.

Ed

Do you soak your brush in the water? I was just wetting it in warm water, slinging out the excess and then using it. I saw in a post on another shaving forum the guy was soaking his.

I haven't used it since I posted this because I am waiting on payday to get a strop :/ Can't wait.

Yes, I soak mine. First I run it under the faucet to get it wet, then I have a small bowl that it will stand up in (bristles down) and I let it soak while I prep my face. When it's time to lather, I just flick out the extra water and it's ready to go.

If your lather is drying out too quickly, you may just need a bit more water. I may have to run mine quickly under the faucet to re-wet it when I'm adding lather for my 2nd or 3rd pass. Each brush is different. Some hold water really well and others don't. A little experimentation will clear things up.