Thread: First Blood: Part 1

when I first started I just relied on styptic pencils and duct tape. Hope you enjoy your adventure into this fantastic hobby

I hear you on the natural feeling, Cutty! So far I've only shaved a few parts of my face with the straight razor to practice and switch back to my normal disposable razor. It's weird how awkward and uncomfortable the disposable razor feels now, and how little control you have with it. It actually somehow feels less safe, than with the straight razor where you know exactly where you are cutting and you have control over the angle of the blade.

It would appear I have underthought this whole concept of bodily injury and blood letting. All my cuts have been easily handled by a styptic pencil/alum block.

First Off-Cutty Amazing Profile pic. I love the Sailor Jerry flash and old school tattoos. (my right arm and apartment is covered with them, my avatar is a take off on one of his pieces.)
Second- after shave is personal preference. I have about 6 bottles of after shave and post shave balm I bought trying to find something in town that I like. Gilette lotion for sensitive skin, Nivea for men post shave balm, old spice, and my favorite the one my girlfriend hates the most Clubman Pinaud (smells like a dirty old man if you sniff the bottle) but on the face reminds me of baby powder. all stuff you can find at your local drug store. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the compliment on my pic, bondpunk. I'm currently working on completing my right leg with a Sailor Jerry inspired gypsy head that is based on a portrait of my wife. I love the look of the old school tattoos much more than the wild designs of some of the new stuff. Is your right arm a full sleeve? Thanks for the hints on the aftershave. I'll take a look around for the "dirty old man" stuff. It sounds interesting, but might be a bit difficult to find in Canada.

Cheers,

I liked your take on the first straight razor shave. I hope that those pondering wether to start or not run into your thread before others. People have to remember that when you have a tool that requires your complete control, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Actually, it is more precise due to that fact. Congratulations on your first shave, and if I may recommend an aftershave, Ogallala Bay Rum. The sandalwood is my favorite, but if you look carefully in the site, you can find a 5 pack (or was it 6?) that has all their Bay Rum scents in small bottles. You can also buy some cool soaps from them that are not bad either, which you can also buy in a sample pack. I felt it was worth getting their aftershave sample pack because it was not too expensive compared to buying just one big bottle while thinking "I wonder what the other scents are like". Now I know my favorite (kind of, they all smell pretty good) and which big bottle to buy from here on. You can also check the "Preshaves, Aftershaves, and Cologne" threads or the search bar and see other opinions about other aftershaves.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Cutty

@dyimages - The blade was plenty sharp! Definitely "shave ready".

@Mjhammer - Unfortunately, the sharpness of the blade didn't protect me against the razor burn. I certainly need many more shaves to find that sweet spot of blade angles before I achieve straight blade nirvana.

Copy that. I am still developing my weak-hand stroke: I always seem to be doing something vicious to the area right under my jawbone on the left side...

I hear you on the weak-hand stroke, Streetprowler. So far I've been too much of a chicken to attempt going lefty. I gotta say that I've been feeling really good with keeping things on my dominant hand. As long as I don't end up slipping and cutting it off, I think I'll stay a righty and hone my technique as such. I'm four shaves in and each one gets better than the last. BEST HOBBY EVER!

Originally Posted by Cutty

@dyimages - The blade was plenty sharp! Definitely "shave ready".

@Mjhammer - Unfortunately, the sharpness of the blade didn't protect me against the razor burn. I certainly need many more shaves to find that sweet spot of blade angles before I achieve straight blade nirvana.

Same thing happened to me, mate. I must have taken the top 2 layers right off with everything else, heheh. I stocked up on Tend Skin and tried different razors. I found some gave less than others. Eventually I got the pressure and angle pretty good and don't have the problem nearly as often or over as wide an area. I did notice though that the pressure came with a "dull" blade. Once I mastered stropping a little better the burn went way down too.

Forever the search for Shave Nirvanna!!!

M