1st straight razor shave = worst shave ever

Hi all - I'm Michael and new to this place.

First, let say a big thank you to Lynn and everyone here who has posted so much information. This place is an amazing resource!

I've enjoyed shaving since I first started. My father got a me a shaving "kit" for X-mas when I was ready to start shaving, and have used a brush ever since. But I've always used disposable cartridges. I've never really had a bad shave - some worse than others, but for the most part all of my shaving experience had been good, and I've always highly enjoyed shaving.

When I was in college I went on a study abroad program to Greece and Turkey, and had my first straight razor shave in Ankara when I was about 21. Ever since then I've wanted to try SRS myself, so I finally got a basic Dovo 5/8" and a 3" latigo strop. I got it from SRD because it was professionally sharpened and shave ready.

Everything arrived to day, and I had at it. It was the worst shave of my life. Granted it was my 1st SRS and I've got a learning curve, but this was ridiculous! A coupe of nicks, nothing too bad, but serious razor burn and pulling. Lots of blood. My neck is on fire!!!

This is what I can come up with;
1) inexperience
2) the razor wasn't sharp enough. OOTB I wasn't really impressed w/ it's sharpness. I'm a private chef and have Japanese knives that I sharpen myself on waterstones (Shapton GlassStones). I can get my knives plenty sharp for my needs, but I don't consider myself an expert sharpener by any means. My new razor wasn't noticeably sharper than my kitchen knives - would not pass a hanging hair test.
3) Didn't lather my new shave cream properly. I've been using a liquid soap from MyChelle called So Clean, and it's been GREAT. But I wanted something different and got some Truefitt & Hill shave cream. I build lather on my face. This technique w/ this cream didn't raise a thick lather - it was kinda flat, but thick, and dry. Try as I might I couldn't get a wet slick lather on my face. I think this exaggerated the effects of a not-sharp-enough blade.

If anyone has any thoughts or comments, I'm all ears. I'm not ready to give up, but I need to do something different to get better results. Thanks for lending me your ears! mpp

Posts like yours come up on nearly a daily basis. Human nature leads most to blame the tool. Often with a little more practice the novice shaver notices that his razors seems to keep getting sharper and sharper. HERE is a perfect example of this. If you keep practicing, you too will probably have the same experience. If you persist in your belief that the razor is not sharp enough, contact Lynn, who honed it, and discuss it with him.
Don't give up!

Thanks for the link.

I know the major cause of my bad shave is due to inexperience with SR's. I didn't want to come across as blaming the balde, but it came across that way - I was thinking about possible areas to adress. It just wasn't as sharp as I had expected it to be. If it's shave ready from Lynn, then I'll take his word for it.

Once my face heals in a coupe of days I'll try it again, this time w/ better lather. In the meantime I'll pay more attention to stropping and see what I can come up with.

Welcome Michael. I can tell you right now from my own personal experience, that your problems lie solely and wholly with your in-experience.In shaving, as well as prep.The T&H lather will be different to what you have been currently using, as all creams, soaps etc seem to be different in ease of creating a lather. Some creams are harder to work into a lather than others and so too some soaps. It all comes down to practice. Don't despair, every single one of us has been right where you are now and the majority of us have gone on to, or are going on to, getting the best shaves our faces have experienced. There are always some who don't stay the course, but it is a case of what is right for the individual. There are no failures here. If you try it, then you have not failed, but if you don't try it for long enough you may not succeed either.


Mick

yep!!! been there myself but I started with a Dovo Shavette just to see if id like it and it too was the worst shave ever but I could not blame the blade cause those Dovo blades are insane sharp. It boiled down to i had no idea what i was doing now 7 months later I get a BBS almost every time with my C&S 5/8 or any of my other 7 razors as long as the stroping and honing is up to par. I got a Dovo Best 4/8 honed by Lynn from SRD awesome shave outta the box!!

when i first started shaving i had similar experiences i have a solingen that was part of a kit and it was sharp out of the box but my problem was i didnt understand the angles i held the blade like i would a razor and i ended up pulling the hairs. once i figured out that this blade required a lower angle ive had BBS smooth shaves since. best advice try shaving it on your arm or leg try using different angles

Well I'm a beginner too; have been using a shavette just about every day for the past month or more. All I can say is my biggest beginner mistake (besides starting with a shavette instead of the real deal) was the angle. My angle was way too steep my first couple shaves and when I widened it up to 25-30 degrees, it was like a whole new ball game all of the sudden.

Also, I'm only 31 and my skin is pretty tight so I didn't think I had to stretch it like all these old guys around here ( :) ) talk about. Boy was I wrong. Stretching helped immensely. Keep at it.


Lawrence

My experience was similar. I am a newbie, too. I have been getting better and better shaves by finding the correct angle, but also LIGHTEN UP! I don't mean your demeanor :) I mean, use WAY less pressure. I started doing that, and found it was worlds better. Once you lighten up with the pressure, lighten up some more! I just couldn't grasp that concept even though the guys here kept talking about it. Try to take the lather off of your face without cutting the hair. You should be getting in the ballpark then. An alcohol based aftershave (I just discovered and love Pinaud CLubman) will definitely let you know how you did :D

Like the previous posters have said, you need to practice this a bit before you get the hang of it!
Focus on a couple of things first off:

Be sure to prep your face really good. Take a hot shower, and make a few dry runs practicing building a wet and thick lather.

Make sure to stretch your skin so that every single stroke is on taut skin.

Reduce pressure. Trust the tool, it will cut even if it doesn't feel like you are pushing it.
It should Barely touch skin at all.

Use correct angles. About a couple spine widths away from the skin as a starting point.

Only shave a cheek or two starting out. Get that down untill you feel your tech is improved a bit.

Good luck!

I just finished my fourth month of shaving with a straight razor. I didn't find my stride until the 100th shave.

My only suggestion: Take it really slow. Only shave your sideburn areas for a week or two until you get the feel of the razor and how lightly you can use it. Gradually progress after that.

When the razor is sharp, it should do it's job without irritation IF you do good pre-shave prep and use the lightest of touches with no more than a twenty degree angle.

Hang in there. It will get better!

My first shave resulted in a two-inch long deep cut in front of each of my ears from using a dull razor with a spike point. The spike sliced me really well. But, it did get better. Now I use straights 90% of the time and love them.

MickR "...[F]rom my own personal experience, that your problems lie solely and wholly with your in-experience."
+1 MickR
We all have gone thru the same thing. I guess it is paying your dues for learning how to use a Str8. But the process is well worth the result. Read the WIKI. Follow Lynn's advice for your beginning shaves. Take your time and learn, as I did, from the guys on this forum. There is much to learn and it IS fun.

Your post sounds just like I posted last night.
I am 44 years old and have been shaving for 30 years, also shaving my head for 8 years. I can do it all with my eyes closed, but failed misserably with a straight edge.
I had many hot lather shaves at the barber shop, an I am willing to devote the time in learning the use of this "magical" tool.
Also, just to make sure I am having the razor sharpened porfessionaly.

Good luck to you and the rest of us nubies in mastering the SR8.

Igor

Was the blade "sharp" before you stropped it? I Know a few bad passes on the strop at the wrong angle and the edge is shot.

Thanks for all the replies, encouragement and feedback. I can definitely see where I need to practice and improve. I have previously read through a lot of the wiki and Lynn's tips and other stuff, so I feel pretty well armed with knowledge, now I just need to put it all into practice and find out what works.

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Was the blade "sharp" before you stropped it? I Know a few bad passes on the strop at the wrong angle and the edge is shot.

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Yeah, I think I prolly **** the edge by stropping it poorly. Like I said, the blade wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be, but I didn't do it any favors, and it prolly was plenty sharp to shave with when I got it. Afterward I took a scrutinizing look at the the strop and the blade on it, and I noticed that since the strop is brand new and not broken in yet, it's not flat across it's entire length. Through most of the middle there's a slight concave bow to it and most of the blade doesn't touch it.

I have a bench stropping system that I'm in the process of making, and I have some nice bridle leather, 3" x 12". I very carefully stropped the blade on that and I immediately noticed an improvement. I have some other products and materials on the way that I'll use as I feel the need to refine the edge further.

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

I'm gonna keep at it! Thanks again - Cheers! mpp

One of the best things I like about using a CT to shave with is the fact that I get less ingrown hairs than I used to, and in all fairness that is probably because of better shaving prep than I used to use. Shaving in the shower using a bar of soap as my lather isn't the best way to shave I'm assuming now. But, what I find the best about the CT, is that my shaves are noticeably smoother and, and this is the clincher for me, I don't really need to shave as often. The shave is longer lasting than with any other method of shaving I've tried. And I've tried them all. Every man and his face is different though and what I like most about a CT shave may not be the same as others.


Mick

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I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

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FWIW (I'm only a few months into this myself) --

The multi-blade, cartridge razors are _very_ forgiving. You can press hard on them, you don't have to worry about the angle the blade makes with your face, you don't have to do careful lathering (much less "pre-lather prep") -- and your face will survive. And they're more tolerant of less-than-sharp blades.

Straights, and traditional DE razors, are much less forgiving. Use too much pressure? -- OUCH! Don't do proper lathering? -- OUCH! Don't use correct angles with a straight razor? -- OUCH! Not to mention that the straight razor doesn't have any hesitation about slicing skin, if you move it wrong.

So there's a rather long learning curve for these very simple-looking tools.

The payoff is that you _can_ get a really smooth shave, and do it without damaging your skin. There's some pride of achievement in that.

Charles

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Originally Posted by MickR

One of the best things I like about using a CT to shave with is the fact that I get less ingrown hairs than I used to, and in all fairness that is probably because of better shaving prep than I used to use. Shaving in the shower using a bar of soap as my lather isn't the best way to shave I'm assuming now. But, what I find the best about the CT, is that my shaves are noticeably smoother and, and this is the clincher for me, I don't really need to shave as often. The shave is longer lasting than with any other method of shaving I've tried. And I've tried them all. Every man and his face is different though and what I like most about a CT shave may not be the same as others.


Mick

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What's CT? Thanks! mpp

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

FWIW (I'm only a few months into this myself) --

The multi-blade, cartridge razors are _very_ forgiving. You can press hard on them, you don't have to worry about the angle the blade makes with your face, you don't have to do careful lathering (much less "pre-lather prep") -- and your face will survive. And they're more tolerant of less-than-sharp blades.

Straights, and traditional DE razors, are much less forgiving. Use too much pressure? -- OUCH! Don't do proper lathering? -- OUCH! Don't use correct angles with a straight razor? -- OUCH! Not to mention that the straight razor doesn't have any hesitation about slicing skin, if you move it wrong.

So there's a rather long learning curve for these very simple-looking tools.

The payoff is that you _can_ get a really smooth shave, and do it without damaging your skin. There's some pride of achievement in that.

Charles

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Completely agree w/ everything here - well said!

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Originally Posted by mpukas

Thanks for all the replies, encouragement and feedback. I can definitely see where I need to practice and improve. I have previously read through a lot of the wiki and Lynn's tips and other stuff, so I feel pretty well armed with knowledge, now I just need to put it all into practice and find out what works.


Yeah, I think I prolly **** the edge by stropping it poorly. Like I said, the blade wasn't as sharp as I expected it to be, but I didn't do it any favors, and it prolly was plenty sharp to shave with when I got it. Afterward I took a scrutinizing look at the the strop and the blade on it, and I noticed that since the strop is brand new and not broken in yet, it's not flat across it's entire length. Through most of the middle there's a slight concave bow to it and most of the blade doesn't touch it.

I have a bench stropping system that I'm in the process of making, and I have some nice bridle leather, 3" x 12". I very carefully stropped the blade on that and I immediately noticed an improvement. I have some other products and materials on the way that I'll use as I feel the need to refine the edge further.

I gotta say, when I read comments from some people about having such a better shave w/ a SR than a Mach 3 whatever the latest-n-greatest is, I gotta raise an eyebrow. I've had nothing but fantastic close comfortable shaves using the latest-n-greatest 5-blade whatever for years and years and years, and every time they come out w/ a new one, I find it shaves just a little better than the previous one. I came into this SR thing w/ pretty high expectations based on rave reviews I read here and other places about how much better SR's are than other types of mass market shavers. So my heart goes out to you guys who have had bad shaves before - it's certainly one of the most unpleasant things.

I'm gonna keep at it! Thanks again - Cheers! mpp

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I agree with you on the great shaves with a 5 blader. I used a Gillette Pro Fusion and Pro Glide for years, along with the Quattro and the Mach 3 and never had a bad shave. I used to get the cartridges to last for months and never got nicks, cuts, razor burn or in-grown hairs.

I don't think you have to hate cartridges to move to straights. I like 'em all, DEs, cartridges, and straights. Today was the Pro Fusion, tomorrow a Merkur HD, and Saturday morning has a 8/8 Wade and Butcher honed up and waiting for it.

I didn't start shaving with a straight razor to save money. So far it's been pretty expensive. I didn't do it to save the local landfill either. I did it because it was a challenge to learn and fun to do.

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Originally Posted by mpukas

What's CT? Thanks! mpp

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Cut Throat!!!

I started with a Shavette for a couple months before moving to a "real" straight. I figured it'd be cake to switch over. Boy was I wrong. Sure, I had some of the angles down but every razor is a different beast. For my first razor I picked it up from Larry over at Whipped Dog. He included some handy instructions that I'll paraphrase for you. First being: This razor is Shave Ready. That means don't strop it before you use it. Second handy tip: lay that sucker dang near flat on your skin. Nope, won't get BBS or even close to it. However, you'll get comfortable with something that sharp against your skin w/o cutting yourself and you can gradually increase the angle on more passes till you find what works for you. Third super useful tip: Break in your strop before you use it (and either practice on a bread knife or lay it flat and use it as a bench strop to start) or you're screwed (or will at least have to spend a ton of time stropping later to fix what you just done gone and broke).

Lastly, a paraphrased tip from the wiki: "don't try and shave your whole face the first time around. Start with a small section and work on that. When you're comfortable with that go on to another section till you're comfortable with that. Then go from there".
There's a huge difference between a straight razor and a cartridge monstrosity. Respect it. It's like going from driving a Chevy Crapolier to a Ferrari. Both do their job well, but one takes a hell of a lot more practice and skill to use properly. Either one will get you somewhere, but when you know the Ferrari well, you'll have a lot more fun with it.

Also, when you read the wiki you'll see talk about using no pressure. Believe it, but don't take it at face value. You have to put pressure against the hair but not the skin. You want the razor to glide over the skin but slice through the hair. If your hold is too light you'll tug and pull every hair. If it's too hard you'll go through the hair in to your skin.

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Originally Posted by mpukas

What's CT? Thanks! mpp

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Same as SR only Australian/British english. CT is short for Cut-Throat (razor).


Mick

P.S posted before I read Utopian had already explained in an earlier post. Left my post here anyway.

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Originally Posted by mpukas

Thanks for the link.

I know the major cause of my bad shave is due to inexperience with SR's. I didn't want to come across as blaming the balde, but it came across that way - I was thinking about possible areas to adress. It just wasn't as sharp as I had expected it to be. If it's shave ready from Lynn, then I'll take his word for it.

Once my face heals in a coupe of days I'll try it again, this time w/ better lather. In the meantime I'll pay more attention to stropping and see what I can come up with.

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I would not compare any Japanese knife to a razor in terms of edge they can take.
The steel is great but the edge is nowhere near as thin and sharp as a razor can get.

Just practice and shaves will get better.
Proper stropping is also important.

Stropping could have definitely screwed up your edge, but a lot of it might just be blade angle. It's amazing how a scary sharp, shave-ready razor can feel dull as a spoon if the angle isn't right. Like everybody else has said, keep with it! You will develop muscle memory and find "the touch" that works best for you. You'll be face deep in shaving nirvana before you know it!

My 2nd shave last night went MUCH MUCH better. Again a couple of nicks here and there, especially w/ my off-hand, but no pulling or razor burn. Still, it wasn't as comfortable as my shaves w/ cartridges, but not unpleasant at all. Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement!

The things I attribute to the better shave;

• I stropped the blade VERY VERY carefully on my own leather bench strop. I noticed a significant improvement in the edge both before and during shaving. I know I'll probably get shot down for this, but I honestly feel this was the biggest improvement. I know I may have ruined a good shaving edge by stropping it on my brand new hanging strop; it's pretty darn good now.

• I used a Trumper's soap this time, and built a good wet lather in a mug first. The lather had nice lubrication and didn't dry out half way through. I was able to a good 2nd coat on my whole face, and even a third coat on my neck for a few touch-up passes.

• Improved technique and being more comfortable. I played around w/ different angles as suggested, but honestly it didn't make that much difference - not like Holy *** that's rough vs WOW that feels good!

It didn't shave my hairs any closer than I usually do w/ a cartridge, but I didn't do a full 3-pass WTG, XTG and ATG shave - a couple of places I did some ATG and XTG and that got things quite close. But what I did notice is I felt like the SR exfoliated my skin more - it felt smoother and tauter.

Now I'm starting to really dig this stuff - I knew I would, it's just a matter of time, practice and proper guidance. Thanks again guys! mpp

Grand News!
I'm happy for you, sounds as if the improvement was significant!
Keep at it, as I'm sure you will, and you will take steps continuously.
I do doubt they will be this significant from one shave till the next, but still:)

It will become comfortable soon, I bet around 5th shave ;). You should drop ATG this early.