First str8 shave

So today was the day! Got home from hobby/job and had a package waiting on my door step which included a strop and shave brush. I went inside, tore open the box like it was Christmas morning, and started preparing for my first shave. I took out my str8 and began stropping it, first on the felt then on the leather. It took a little getting used to since i bought such a huge blade, 7/8 wedge! After I finished, I washed my face, then applied a hot towel for a couple minutes, followed by an application of Art of shaving Pre shave oil. I let that sit while I took out my Frank silvertip brush and Jack Black Super Shave creme and built up a ton of lather, I couldn't believe how quick and thick it lathered up with the brush! I applied a hot towel for another couple minutes then applied my lather. Making small strokes with my razor I made my first WTG pass on my right cheek/jaw line. I was amazed in how smooth the pass was as well as my face afterwards. Instead of stopping there like I probably should have, I continued to the left side of my face. It didn't come out like the right side but I figured that was due to being right handed. I found it difficult to keep the same angle on the left side as I used on the right. I continued to my neck which took a couple minutes and some slight razor burn before I got that down. I moved on to my upper lip which was very difficult then tried at my chin... Wow, that was the toughest part! Since everything seemed fine, just a little tug on the left side which I chalked up to technique, I figured I'd try for an ATG pass, it became a little uncomfortable so I stopped there and finished with my crappy cartridge just to feel like the job was complete. Overall I have to say it wasn't bad, some parts of using a str8 were tougher than I expected but some parts were easier than I expected. I ended up with some serious razor burn in a couple small areas, kinda reminded me of the first time I picked up a razor and shaved as a teenager. I did notice some flaws in technique while I shave, like too much pressure at times and inconsistent angles at times, but I'm sure those are gonna be growing pains that will get better as I go along as long as I take it slow and pay attention. Even though I did end up with some razor burn and a couple tiny nicks, which only bled for a couple seconds then disappeared, I have to say the areas that I made the ATG pass came out smoother than any shave where ive used any other razor... Multi blade cartridge or DE saftey! For after care I applied some Jack Black face moisturizing lotion and Pinaud Clubman... Now I feel like a man.

On a side note, when I received my stra8 in the mail last week, I tested it on a small area of my arm with out stropping since I didn't have my strop yet, and I cut like a knife through butter. After my shave I stropped the razor again, this time paying even more attention to my technique and not loosing count like I did Pre shave. I tested the razor in the same area of my arm as before with a dry ATG pass and it was a smoother experience than shaving my face. So I'm sure paying attention to my stropping technique, as I did post shave, and paying close attention to my shaving technique will yield a much better 2nd shave. I think I'll leave the 2nd shave at one WTG pass until I get a solid unified technique down for all areas of my face.

sounds like you are up and running. enjoy

Your on your way, mate!!! Good job. It takes some practice and experimenting. Try stropping 50 wool/felt/whatever and 100 leather *before* your shave, then let your razor sit overnight, actually its recommended 2 days so the metal will return to it's original shape before you strop again. I have a couple of razors to play with, so it's easier for me to leave them sit for a couple of days before I strop them again.

I don't strop them *after* I shave for a couple of days. I dry them, oil them up, and put em in my roll until I"m ready to use that razor again, then I strop the heck out of em, and use em right away.

I think you'll find the edge much smoother to your face. Once you get the right angle down that is.

Try that and let me know... :)

Good luck!!

M