First few shaves...

Hello all,

I'm new, 2nd post, and thought I'd fill everyone in on my straight razor exploration. My first setup was purchased from SRD and I love it. My first shave I followed the rules in the WIKI and only shaved the side of the cheek. This went well and on the second shave I decided to venture off the rule book and try shaving everything but the lip and chin. This went well except for nicking the earlobe (don't mind, haven't found a use for 'em anyway). The third shave I went ahead and did WTG, ATG, and XTG. This gave me a wonderful shave. Of course I'm not perfect and get a few "lines" from having the razor at too much of a angle and I can feel stubble at the curves sometimes but I'm having a blast. My last shave I went forward and tried the lip and chin which worked well but I really need practice on the chin to get a closer shave. All in all I'm having a wonderful time.

My problem area mainly is trying to build a real lather in the cup. I can build a descent lather on my face but when using a cup I can't seem to build up enough lather and what I do build it is fairly good I guess. There just isn't enough to even bother with. I'm using Lynn's soap so I know the problem is with the operator. I'm using Clubman aftershave and really like the smell of it. Luckily, I haven't had any bad razor burn yet. :) Thanks for all you guys do here.

P.S. I've only nicked my strop once so far. hehehe

Congrats on the great experience and welcome to SRP! Not that I have much experience in regard to lather, but seems to me like there's about a half and half split between guys who prefer the lather they get out of the cup and the other half prefer the lather they build on their face. It's just a matter of preference; what you enjoy and what works for you. If you're not happy with the lather you build on your face, but don't like what you're getting from the cup then that's a whole other matter.

Good luck!

Welcome to SRP. Glad your first few shaves have been relatively blood and burn free. Sounds like you're off to a great start. Lather is a tricky beast, keep at it. Experiment with different amounts of water on your brush at the beginning, and when adding water during your lathering. It will get much better. Like BigJim said, at least you're getting a nice lather on your face. That's a good start.

Enjoy the process!

Maxi

Good Lather on the face is key. Keep practicing, you sound like you are doing very well.

Welcome to SRP and straight Shaving:beer1:
Pabster

Welcome from up the road in Littleton. Playing with all of the variables in making great lather is fun. Enjoy the process.

This might help.

Category:Lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

So, I got my first weeper the other day. I think the only reason I got it was because I had laser hair removal done on that specific area and forgot that the hair wouldn't shave correctly there. Well, I ended up doing multiple passes to get rid of the offensive hair and that is what caused it.

My lather making in the cup improved slightly but still isn't great. It'll get there one day.... lol. I'm loving my 6/8 Bismark from SRD so much. It does feel a little big sometimes so I think when I purchase my second razor it will be a 4/8 I guess. My Bizzy is a round tip and I'm fairly comfortable with using it although my technique needs to improve greatly. What other tip should I get if not a round? I like to rock a stash and small beard once in awhile.


Hi Lazarus!!!
and everyone else who was so kind to take an interest in my posts!!