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  1. #1
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    Default Newbie f/t Dark Side

    Hello Gents. My name is Todd and I am a straight razor newbie. Firstly, I would like to thank the SRP community for the resources made available here. You have made it rather easy to build a foundation of knowledge and understanding before jumping blindly into a potentially dangerous task. When I say blindly, I am being quite literal. In addition to being a newbie, I am also visually impaired, one hundred percent in fact. That said, I still downloaded and made use of Lynn's video, with the aid of my significant other. Well, after I set her straight on left/right mirror images. :
    Yesterday, I received my newbie, starter kit. (Thanks T.M.) After finishing "The Art of the Straight Razor Shave A Basic Guide" by Christopher Moss, I decided to give it a go. Now my intent was to start small. I thought I would try a few strokes down my cheeks, starting at my sideburns and finishing after x amount of lacerations. I was unstoppable! With the exception of my upper lip and one small line along my chin bone, I shaved my entire face without a single cut. There were several moments when I stopped and backed off the stroke, where I was sure I was going to come away bloody, but to my surprise it did not occur. Now it was far from uneventful and being wrought with technical skill. I am sure my video if shot, would be shamefully hilarious.
    Here is where I ask for your wisdom and feedback. Several things arose during my enthusiastic attempt. First is a question concerning lather. I had a lot of trouble with drying and sticking that slowed down the razor. I had to keep wetting my face and reapplying soap. I did add a little more water to the mix in my mug, but still found myself wetting my face with dabs of water. Second and biggest question has to do with razor burn. Before I was done and especially afterwards, I felt as though my face had been sand blasted. Actually, my neck is worse than my face. Now I already knew I have sensitive skin but I am certain I can minimize this through improved technique. I have a few ideas on where I need improvement; please chime in with your expertise. With my lathering difficulties, I think I probably did a bit of dry shaving, especially on my second pass against the growth. Also, do to over cautious concern and old habits; I probably did make far too many short strokes.
    All in all, I am very pleased with my first attempt, and am confident that with a little guidance and practice, I will master this method. This pleases me to no end, for I am very tired of supporting the shaving industry and polluting the environment in this fashion.

  2. #2
    Electric Razor Aficionado
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    Wow! Congratulations on your successful shave! Sorry about the razor burn, but any straight shave that doesn't end in the ER is something to be proud of.

    As for the drying lather, it could be caused by using too little water, or it could be that it simply took you a long time to shave. Both of these are common when starting out, and aren't really a big deal. The solution is to simply dip the tip of your brush in a little water and brush your face again to re-wet the lather. Another way is to lather and shave smaller areas of your face so the lather doesn't get a chance to dry out.

    As for the irritation: That can be caused by a number of things. Too much pressure is very common for beginners, and from your description it sounds like this was definitely an issue. Using too steep an angle on the blade can also do this. Dry shaving can also cause this because the razor sticks and digs into the skin instead of slipping across it. It can also be caused by a dull razor, or a unstropped razor (just so you know, bad stropping technique can also dull the razor -- I did this myself when I was learning).

  3. #3
    Senior Member Redwoood's Avatar
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    Welcome on board, Toddo!

    When the lather dries too quickly, it usually means it did not contain enough water. This shaving soaps/creams can hold an astonishing amount of water, so don't be shy when preparing the lather. It's nice to have stiff lather, but if you achieve it by having too much soap in the mix, it will dry quickly. Rather, try putting in some elbow grease <grin>
    I think the razor burn issue could be connected to the first problem. Try getting more water into it and see how you do. Also, make sure you prepare your face properly, with hot towels and everything. Just relax and enjoy the preparation as part of the ritual. Again, with more water in the lather, you can also let the lather sit on your face longer before you start shaving. It will help in softening up your beard. Finally, a straight shave is quite close. Your skin is probably not used to it, so it's reacting badly. Just give it some time.

    Redwoood

  4. #4
    OLD BASTARD bg42's Avatar
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    congratulations on your first shave under what must be trying circomstances,you are a braver soul than me .Ive been at this a while now and still regularly draw blood,so it seems to me you did rather well ,welcome aboard
    Kind regards Peter

  5. #5
    Senior Member ForestryProf's Avatar
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    Congratulations Todd,
    Welcome to our wonderful addiction! If I were to guess at the root causes to all of the symptoms you mention, they would be 1) not enough water in your lather 2) It typically takes your face a week or two to get used to any new shaving system...particularly a straight. 3) You were pretty aggressive for a first time out, shaving against the grain can cause some irritation for an experienced straight razor user 4) technique...it takes awhile to get comfortable with the system and although your story is pretty amazing, I've heard of very few first timers that completed an entire shave, I'd bet that as you become more comfortable with a straight your irritation will be significantly less. Make sure you use little or no pressure during the shave. 5) finally, is your razor truely sharp? Given the fact that you were not only able to complete the shave, but that it included an against the grain pass I would bet that you have a shave ready razor, but be aware that a less than sharp blade will certainly cause irritation.
    Again welcome. Keep us informed on your progress and feel free to ask about anything at all.
    Cheers,
    Ed

  6. #6
    Senior Member wvbias's Avatar
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    Todd,

    Welcome aboard and congratulations.
    Really nothing that I can add to the
    great advise that you have already
    received. Keep it up though and things
    will only get better....


    Terry

  7. #7
    Senior Member pitbulls20's Avatar
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    I am also curious what shave cream or soap you are using? Is it the Williams that comes with Tony's kit (assuming thats who you meant) or do you have osmething else?

  8. #8
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    Hi guys, and thanks for the welcomes, gratz, and tips. I am wondering aprox. how much water for the Williams. Yes, my newbie kit is from Tony, so my razor was shave ready. Of course, now I'll have to strop for the first time for my next shave. Thank goodness I have a light beard and only need to shave every two to three days, depending on what I'm doing. Of course this means I don't get as much practice either .
    I do plan to investigate further product, and it sounds like I could stand to use some Witch Hazel astringent.

  9. #9
    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    Smile Welcome, Todd

    I want to thank-you for shaking up my impression of the blind. I've been straight shaving for exactly one year and through the whole time I though of the old days when there were no safety razors and what conditions men might be in that would make it impossible for them to shave. Total blindness was one of them. I'm so glad I was wrong.

    The advice given so far is spot on IMHO. I would only add that a wire edge will also cause great irritation, but you're not there with a shave ready razor from Tony.

    To respond to a few things you said;

    Quote Originally Posted by Toddo
    Of course, now I'll have to strop for the first time for my next shave.
    That could be part of your problem as well. Even though Tony stropped that razor before sending it to you, you need to strop immediately before each shave.

    Quote Originally Posted by Toddo
    I do plan to investigate further product, and it sounds like I could stand to use some Witch Hazel astringent.
    I like it.

    Please keep in touch with how it's going. You're a fantastic inspiration.

    X

  10. #10
    Hones & Honing randydance062449's Avatar
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    Hello and welcome! You have been given some good advice here so I can only add a small piece.
    Williams soap lacks oils to provide the "slide" in a shave. What I did was add ONE drop of mineral oil to the cake of soap while I was creating a lather. You could also use some face cream or lotion. The goal is to have some oils on your skin to provide the "slide".
    Randolph Tuttle, a SRP Mentor for residents of Minnesota & western Wisconsin

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