Thread: First Shave with a Straight Razor

Originally Posted by drgreen

Any remedies to hard to shave spots without razor burn?

• Practice,
• applying a layer of soap under the lather,
• good extra long prep,
• double up on shaving lather after a moment of waiting for it to soak,
• good stropping,
• applying water just before the pass,
• lowering the angle of the stroke,
• stretching the skin before to pass,
• holding the razor lightly so it flexes with the whisker and skin,
• realizing that the shave will feel smoother after your face dries,
• applying cold water immediately after your strokes,
• applying witch hazel when done.

The reading definitely paid-off. My first shave was a disaster because I only had pictures to use as a guide and was unawares of the importance of pulling the skin taunt & the importance of holding the blade at the proper angle.

Great tips Davis thanks. I think my angle especially I need to be aware of, not exactly used to shaving with my left hand (when I'm onto my left face), let alone a straight razor!

What do you mean applying water just before the pass? won't the lather come off?

I will try applying cold water immediately after the stroke, what does that do, close the pores immediately? What about if you need to make a few passes, wouldnt you want to keep the pores open until you're finished that area?

I have a much to learn, but enjoying the experience.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

• Practice,
• applying a layer of soap under the lather,
• good extra long prep,
• double up on shaving lather after a moment of waiting for it to soak,
• good stropping,
• applying water just before the pass,
• lowering the angle of the stroke,
• stretching the skin before to pass,
• holding the razor lightly so it flexes with the whisker and skin,
• realizing that the shave will feel smoother after your face dries,
• applying cold water immediately after your strokes,
• applying witch hazel when done.

Great tips Davis thanks. I think my angle especially I need to be aware of, not exactly used to shaving with my left hand (when I'm onto my left face), let alone a straight razor!

What do you mean applying water just before the pass? won't the lather come off?

I will try applying cold water immediately after the stroke, what does that do, close the pores immediately? What about if you need to make a few passes, wouldnt you want to keep the pores open until you're finished that area?

I have a much to learn, but enjoying the experience. And yes the shave does feel smoother after the face is dried! (touching it now lol)

Sometimes, without you really noticing the lather dries a bit and that is what really causes the burn.

The water does a lot of work, the lather holds the water.

Yes, do a few strokes, if needed (but these can also be the cause of razor burn) and then cool the area quickly with cool water. If you create razor burn, it's similar to any other burn, the longer you wait to treat it the worse it gets.

So, lots of guys use cool water when they get done shaving, but by then a lot of the damage is already done.

Once you learn to shave all these tricks will become useless by the way. A straight razor is the smoothest shave on the planet (once you get it down).

Yea looking forward to it, it's really relaxing.

From coming out of the shower, to making your own lather, to hearing that distinct straight razor (w/ full hollow) sound as it cuts.

Do you strop before or after? or both?

Personally? I usually strop before, some times I skip it, but 90 percent of the time I strop before.

Afterward I use a stropping motion on a towel, mostly just to dry it off.

But remember, I've been doing this for years, and to me it's just shaving. I don't have to make all this a big deal anymore.

To me it's all pretty simple.

Well thanks for sharing.

It does take longer to shave, prep etc, maybe my enthusiasm will die down.
I remember how easy it was to just press the on button on my electric and watch tv as I shaved.

Congratulations on the good start