Thread: new user help

My name is Steve and I am a new user... need some help. I'm on my 3rd attempt at a SR shave, just trying to do cheeks WTG. Today i look like I have been in a fight and lost! One slice and a number of spots with blood leaking out. Not sure what I am doing wrong. My blade is a no name used balde purchased from whipped dog and it really makes a scraching noise when I shave. Is that normal? I read others saying how their razor cuts smooth like going through butter--not my experience. Is it my razor, my angle, my beard prep or stropping or ??? I am getting good lather, shaving after a shower etc. Any pointers would be great. Thanks in advance

Welcome aboard! It could be any number of things, but it's NOT your razor, if you got it from whippeddog. Larry makes sure any SR he sells is shave ready before it goes out the door.

Let's look at a few things:
Stropping-When stropping, dont apply anymore pressure than that necessary to keep the blade on the strop. ALWAYS lead w/ the spine of the blade. You'll do 25 or so passes on the linen side of the strop and 50 or so on the leather.

Face prep- Shaving is best after a hot shower. Lather, then strop your razor, then re-lather.

Angle of the blade-30 degrees for WTG, 15 for XTG, and 5 for ATG. Always use light pressure, no more than necessary to guide the blade. It's perfectly normal to hear a sound, like that of toast being buttered.

Remember, you're learning to do an old skill (shaving) in a new way (SR shaving). There's bound to be hiccups. My face looked like a rare roast beef for the first two weeks. Review the beginner's guides and Wikis here on SRP. Things WILL improve.

+1 on Lasoxfan's advice, he hit the nail on the head.
Practice and patience is the key.

The sound you're hearing may be the blade having difficulty, but it could also be the "spreading butter on toast" sound that we all try for, a sound that indicates that whiskers are being cut.

Straight shaving is so difficult at first because there are so many things to get it right to pull it off correctly, and many of those can only come with time, practice, patience, and the making of mistakes that will show you where you need to make improvements.

My first shave was no better than yours. For now, just use the weight of the blade, apply no pressure, and see if that helps. Go slowly. Progress can't be rushed.

Welcome to the forums. After reading your post, I was inspired to film a little video that may help you (and others) when it comes to practicing your razor ANGLES, and getting the feel for it in your hands.

Hope this helps:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post756417

Thanks for the help guys... great support and I'll update after trying your suggestions. Jeff---great idea; I think the practice idea is going to be really helpful...best of all I should be able to do it without cutting myself!

steveo50,

For the very early shaves, it sometimes helps if you do the first pass with a safety razor; this will reduce the stubble down sufficiently for you to concentrate solely on the straight passes angles, correct pressure etc.
Once you are comfortable with these, then skip the safety razor pass.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ