Thread: My first straight razor

Still watching the video, but I am laughing because you remind me of myself when I first started earlier this month. I filmed mine too if you want to see it (right here). It's tough in the beginning because many angles actually BLOCK your vision so you can't see, and you have to FEEL instinctively for the razor, but I promise it gets easier!

Kudos for having the balls to film your first attempt. The reason why I did it was to look back after 100 shaves and see how far I've come....and also to document for other beginners the learning process.

You did a much better job first time round than I! As you can tell in the vid, i am very nervous!

I also hope to be able to look back after 100 shaves and see how much i have improved (or maybe just to look at the parts of my face that are still attached )

Great video. You did much better than I did with my first straight razor shave. I can tell that you are now hooked. I have only been using a straight for three and a half months and love it. At some point, you should get a razor that has been professionally honed to give you a reference point for your honing. I found my professionally honed razors really helped me develop good technique.

Good luck on your journey!

I touched my heirloom with a Dremel and pad, chipped it fast; to Hel* with Dremels for me. Had one the professionals here bring it back to life.
Good luck, nice razor and video

Managed a full face shave today without nicking myself. Was a bit rough around the chin though - the shave just wasn't close and the razor was pulling at the whiskers instead of cutting them. I'm not sure if my technique (or lack of) is to blame, or if the razor just isn't sharp enough.

It took me almost a month of shaving with the straight before I could begin to get a decent shave on the upper lip and chin. It is just tough to learn. I did find that the blade must be sharp and the chin needs to be really lubricated. After the first pass, I rinse my chin, leave it wet, and then reapply the shaving cream. I also lower the angle of the blade on the chin to about 7 degrees so it slices more.

If you have done two full shaves with no blood, you are doing great. Keep at it and the skill will come more quickly than you think.

Good Luck and Happy Shaving!

Originally Posted by lapp

Managed a full face shave today without nicking myself. Was a bit rough around the chin though - the shave just wasn't close and the razor was pulling at the whiskers instead of cutting them. I'm not sure if my technique (or lack of) is to blame, or if the razor just isn't sharp enough.

Hope things are improving for you, but thought I'd chime in...I had my razors done by a member here and they came back SO smooth it was unbelievable. After several shaves and rookie stropping sessions (all with one razor) it's still so smooth there's no tugging whatsoever...with the proper stretching and blade angle. The only thing that comes close is ATG at the end of a pass as I pull the blade from my face, but even that doesn't compare with the tugging and pulling I'd get from a cartridge razor.

If you haven't had your razor honed by one of the masters here, I'd strongly urge you to do so. It could make all the difference...and at least would eliminate one more variable in your shaves.

Kudos for recording that first one. I had the same hesitation and "how do you approach this?" problems. Thanks for sharing.

Peace,

I'd love to have one of the masters here hone up my blade, but that option is a little impractical considering i live in New Zealand. I will eventually learn to properly hone - infact i have recently bought another razor (a Gotta) for that purpose

@DLB - i have real trouble with my upper lip too. It takes a lot of razor work to get it smooth and i always end up with a bit of razor burn there. I am improving though.