The Noob Chronicles

Today I received my very first straight razor. One word: Thrilled. Being as I have to be up for PT at 0530, (because it had nothing to do with being anxious to lather up) I decided to shave tonight.
So I open the case of the Dovo Grey Bone from SRD, and smile, again. Then I do what I think most noobs with a pro-honed razor from SRD do, albeit secretly, I try the HHT. No luck. Tinge of frustration. I think one of two things: either the great Army Postal Service (MPS) has beaten the blade to death (shake fist), or I know very little, and the people at SRD have mountains of experience where I have... ummm a Youtube video or two worth. I chalk it up to the second. [I am aware that the HHT doesn't always work with all hair types]
So I strop. First on the Dovo less expensive strop I have had hanging around the bathroom for a week, taunting me no doubt. Confidence fades. Despite my practice with a butter knife I have yet to tune in the 'X' form of stropping. I keep asking myself; is it slide the razor on its spine, or do only one leg of the 'X'? So I do what every Noob shoudln't and I reach for the SRD Strop (Type IV, 3") that came with my Dovo. No 'X', so much better. I take each stroke with good pace, but a lingering pause at the top and bottom because I am terrified to hack it to pieces. (By the way, I win, no nicks).
Hot towel steams over a sandwich of my face, whiskers, and shaving cream. I take the moment to wonder how in the world someone wears a hot towel and strops their razor at the same time, because I can only see too much gravity here. Then I lather up again. Here it comes.
My angle is all wrong, I know this from the first stroke. It is by no means bad sliding the razor across my face, but not skilled. Wanting to be perfect at everything is not a crime, as long as you realize its more a fun thought than reality. I forge on.
Did I say no nicks earlier, I should have said the strop was luckier than me. Here I am, watching razor, watching edge of blade, paying attention... oww! Yes, there is a point on this bad boy, my ear has fully informed me. I fold blade in its scales, set it down, grab the magic pencil, quell the blood. I know your all thinking the same thing I did; this is why you switch hands when you shave. Lesson learned.
I did two WTG passes. Nothing to post on a billboard. Not yet anyway. Still the feeling of accomplishment is rank among the smell of suds, aftershave, and face cream. I learned a lot. I see the long winding road. I am excited.
Celebrated with a glass of Riesling, and the smooth pull of Cavendish in the German night air.
Now if I could just get this angle, switch hands, strop, lather, hone, paste, BSS thing down I will be set.
~Lefty

take it easy on that stropping Ranger, that is the fastest way a noob can ruin a razor...You gotta treat the first shave like a fine cigar, a little bit at a time and slows steady stokes....If not you will get burnt...Okay, maybe not like a cigar..But that is the best I can come up with at work..

well the one thing i'll say is you did the right thing when you nicked yourself. stopped and reassesed instead of forging ahead. takes a smart person to do that.

Congrats on the ear nick by the way, thats a badge of honour with noobs

i still have my scar ;)

Like a good book the best part of that story was the end. While you know that you had trouble, made mistakes, nicked yourself, whatever; you learned something and that is awesome.
It is the person who has a bad shave and comes away complaining about how bad it was, they are the ones who don't learn. With your attitude I think that you'll learn quicker, than the alternate approach.

I agree that you should have held back from stropping and possibly even shaving one whole pass, but in the process you came away with more than you went in with.
Thank you for sharing.

So honestly, what does everyone say to their wives in this situation:
"Where are you going?"
"To shave"
"With a camera?!"
(Yes, see photo's at the end of todays post)

Day 2 of straight razor ummm school, learning curve, soon to be bliss... take your pick.

Lesson of the day; no two soaps are equal. Shaving soap specifically. I am saying, what an incredible difference! I almost wanted to immediately throw the other soap in the trash, though I will wait. I'm waiting mostly because I am willing to bet when I get some lathering under my belt I might find it to be a completely different shaving soap in the end. Still soap No. 2 (Tabac Original, stick form) made my day/shave.
Took it lighter on the stropping today. Focus on position and stroke. I feel that the fear is that slow stropping is worse than no stropping, but no stropping is horrible. Though I don't feel my stropping technique is horrible. No strop nicks *w00t*. Did find out that horrible noise of lifting the spine off the strop and riding the blade. Deep breath. Watch wrist and blade. Return to normal sound and draw. Baby steps.
Hot towel again, cause even if it didn't do a thing it feels blissful. Still don't understand how people manage to have a hot towel on and strop at the same time (or I am misunderstanding their posts). Lather felt better, face felt ready.
Shaved the whole thing again. Chin is no joke. I don't force it, I will learn in time, and till I get it perfect I will just make sure I don't see the 1SG till 5 O'clock shadow time. Noticed that my stroke is full and confident on the side of my face, under my sideburns. It's almost as if the sureness in stroke makes the blade, well swing comes to mind. Beard melts from face, and reattaches to a white cloud on metal blade. It's freshly baked chocolate chip cookie gooey good. Rest of the face is going to take some time, and I am alright with that.
My nick pencil is making money for me. 3 nicks (so glad my ears remain safe on this clash of flesh and steel). I keep repeating someones signature from here, that says something like 'A wise old barber told me that if the razor pulls don't force it..."
As for this guy, I am enjoying the ride.
~Lefty


This is my Father's Day gift from my incredible wife. 2nd Father's Day as a father, 1st Father's Day at home.
Consider this my semi-first Shave of the Day pic.

That signiture line you refer to is from JimmyHAD. And a great hep it was to me too and still is. I remind myself of that one just before each shave and I've been at it for sometime now.


Mick

Shave 3: Something clicks

Long day at the hanger. Was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to focus on a straight razor shave, and would have to pull my cartridge razor back out. Then something clicked.
Today the shave seemed worlds different. Smooth, decent paced, easy(er). Strokes seemed more natural, hand switch was less cumbersome. One pass, and I'm just about on par with my cartridge. This shave felt like more of an accomplishment than it was work. Enjoyable to the fullest. Still a ways to go, but I feel like I'm rising on that learning curve.
A great shave needed at the end of a long day.
~Lefty

congrats and nice picture spot! natural light from the window will look great! I'm jealous of your window in the head...

Shave 4:

First morning shave. Woke up while the house was still quiet and took a nice long hot shower. Stole away to my mini-shave den and got to lathering.
Stropping feels a lot better. Still taking it slow though. Wish my second razor would arrive so that I could have something to compare to during this learning curve.
Played around with lathering more today, seemed like a nice way to burn a little of the early Saturday morning dawn. Needless to say I was definitely a good stand in for Santa Claus this morning.
The melding of mind and razor continues. I feel as though I am really getting the hang of this. I'm really enjoying every part of the learning/shaving process. I mean seriously, when is the last time a soldier shaved on his day off, right? I might have gotten a little carried away and went with a XTG second pass. My face is now super smooth and very happy. Even got a couple extra kisses from the wife, though she made it quite clear that I am a nerd.
What a great start to a weekend. Thanks for all the comments and help (here and other posts). I have been wanting to shave straight razor style ever since I saw my first boss do it, just never even knew where to start. Have to say it's mainly due to SRP that I feel well on my way.
Excited about shaving, lol, who would have thought.
~Lefty

Great going Lefty. Your thread is an encouragement for me.

I will shave with a straight for the first time tomorrow, hopefully won't need an ambulance.

Awesome to hear. I am enjoying it to the fullest, and I know that it can only get better. The nicks are not bad, honestly I don't even realize they happen, just see some blood welling up on your skin (minus the ear nicks, they effing hurt!).
Take your time, and definitely go with switching hands from the get go. Best of luck to you!
~Lefty

Thanks. Lol will try to avoid the ear nicks and try switching hands, always a good idea to form good habits from the start.

Last two shaves I got the straight out and chickened out thinking to myself that I probably need to read up more and watch some more videos, but tomorrow is d-day and hopefully all goes well.

Hope Your shaves are injury free and bbs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeftStanding

... I have been wanting to shave straight razor style ever since I saw my first boss do it, just never even knew where to start...
~Lefty

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Perhaps by asking for some tips from that boss. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by reefer

Thanks. Lol will try to avoid the ear nicks and try switching hands, always a good idea to form good habits from the start.

Last two shaves I got the straight out and chickened out thinking to myself that I probably need to read up more and watch some more videos, but tomorrow is d-day and hopefully all goes well.

Hope Your shaves are injury free and bbs.

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You'll be 'right Reefer. Just, ah, stay off the reefer till afterwards...:D


Mick

This was before I even had anything to shave. I worked at a pet shop when I was a Freshman in Highschool. He had a straight razor set in the bathroom in the back, and when I asked he said it was the only way to shave. When I hit shaving age I asked for a straight for my birthday, my Dad just laughed. lol. That kind of killed that one... till now.
@Reefer... I think he has a point. ^^
By the way, my face is still ueber smooth, and I am getting worried there won't be anything to shave tomorrow.
~Lefty

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeftStanding

Shave 4:

First morning shave. Woke up while the house was still quiet and took a nice long hot shower. Stole away to my mini-shave den and got to lathering.
Stropping feels a lot better. Still taking it slow though. Wish my second razor would arrive so that I could have something to compare to during this learning curve.
Played around with lathering more today, seemed like a nice way to burn a little of the early Saturday morning dawn. Needless to say I was definitely a good stand in for Santa Claus this morning.
The melding of mind and razor continues. I feel as though I am really getting the hang of this. I'm really enjoying every part of the learning/shaving process. I mean seriously, when is the last time a soldier shaved on his day off, right? I might have gotten a little carried away and went with a XTG second pass. My face is now super smooth and very happy. Even got a couple extra kisses from the wife, though she made it quite clear that I am a nerd.
What a great start to a weekend. Thanks for all the comments and help (here and other posts). I have been wanting to shave straight razor style ever since I saw my first boss do it, just never even knew where to start. Have to say it's mainly due to SRP that I feel well on my way.
Excited about shaving, lol, who would have thought.
~Lefty

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From one soldier to another I can definately understand!!!!
BTW I got the "Dork"reference from SWMBO!!

Shave 5: Where'd it go?!

Today I tried the face lather method. I am liking it in contrast to having my lather go cold. Stropping feels better and better every time. I am starting to feel like I am having a good effect on the razor, vs a negative one. Only time will really tell.
WTG pass, and whiskers are just disappearing. Feeling like a smooth operator. Only one nick (above my lip, every time). The confidence is growing, and as it does the shave just gets better and better!
XTG pass, still needing some work. I think it has a lot to do with confidence of stroke, but I am getting what I can best describe as a bounce of the razor. It seems to try and skip across my skin. This is slightly frustrating, though whenever this happens I throw a little extra lather on, take a deep breath, and try to stretch the skin better.
Result: so stinking smooth that I am stroking my face between typing sentences. All I can think is; if it gets better than this they will have to send a rescue team to pull me out of the bathroom.
Had myself some, I think you call it 'RAD'? last night. Picked up a beautiful beast off of the classifieds. I believe it was a W&B French tip 7/8. Twas gorgeousness is all I know. So regardless of where in the USPS my second razor is, I will have a comparison razor to check sharpness on. Also something to work up to shaving with (can't wait, can't wait... did I say I can't wait?)
Beautiful night in Germany. After I spanked some aftershave on my super smooth mug I rewarded myself with Riesling and some Cavendish on the balcony.
Good times
~Lefty

That skipping you mention my be the result of too dry a lather. Try adding a little bit more water to the mix. I face lather all the time, and when I find the lather too dry I just dribble a bit more on the brush from my cupped hand and go at it again.
Why wait to build up to that 7/8 W&B? I love my wide bladed razors more than any of my others...Well anything 6/8 and above is good, but I turn more often to my Wosty 13/16 and my OCD 8/8 than any of the other CT's. They're all great shavers regardless of the blade width, but I just like big toys better :).


Mick

Nice read here, having just gone through my first 30 or so shaves. Haven't shaved the moustache area or my sideburns yet, and won't be for quite a while (although my girlfriend keeps complaining about the horseshoe in my face :P), so I'm saving some shaving classes, including some very awesome nicks and blood stained towels, for later on.

About the cold lather in a bowl: that is why many shavers use a scuttle. I just use a dessert bowl with boiling/very hot tap water, which I replenish once or twice during my shave, and a large round coffee mug that fits snugly into the bowl with hot water. I also soak my brush in the same hot hot hot water during passes, same refilling there. It works, nice warm lather throughout the shave and it saves you from paying €70 for a good scuttle.

Again, nice reading, and remember: no pain, no gain; no blood, no fun. That's my motto and I'm sticking with it :chop:

I hear you on the scuttle. Actually I have been on the hunt for one. There are some very nice ones out there, but I, can't believe I am saying this about straight shaving, I think they are too pricey. I know, I know. Straight shavers pay the $40 shipping fee on the $45 perfect shaving soap etc. Though I saw an awesome thread where someone took a double walled 14oz steel bowl. Placed 2 holes in the top, and used that as a scuttle. I think I am going to go that way. Also I have some great ideas I think I am going to try for the scuttle. More along the lines of a thermos type design, with a vacuum surrounded water chamber, to really keep the heat steady. Reason being I think if you can get a good start temp, and hold it for a long time, you won't have to scald your lather from the start to have good temp lather later in the shave. If I do find the magic scuttle I will be sure to post my findings.
Another good tip: If you get blood on your towel just soak it in some hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes before throwing it in the wash. Cleans up nice.
Best of luck to you!
~Lefty

Reefer,
I'm assuming you read Lynn's shaving advice? He suggests doing a little bit each day and gradually adding more to each shave so you can build up your technique and confidence. Been there, done that.
All my best to you and many great shaves to come your way.
Patrick

Shave 6: Is it getting sharper?!

You read right. One full week of straight shaving. I'm never going back to the old way (which would be the new way... cause straight shaving is technically the old... I digress).
So it is probably just my technique improving, and the confidence level rising; but I swear this thing is getting sharper. My shaving brush is getting more supple. The lather is getting thicker. I'm worried that I am going to start trying to find excuses to shave twice a day. I now know what it feels like to look at a bowl full of lather left over and think "that is definitely enough for one more pass... wouldn't want to waste it!"
XTG is still coming along. It doesn't seem to be coming quite as naturally as WTG felt. Going to watch some videos on how to hold the razor.
Now I am just pining for a scuttle. Gotta figure that one out quick. The idea of thick HOT lather has me hooked.
Also in week 2 I will be learning to hone. Of course not on the razor that I have working so well right now. No actually one of my pilots confided in me that he had started straight shaving once, and on the second shave he managed to catch the faucet with the blade. Sounds like a chance for me to learn how to hone, and a chance for him to get a working razor. Also kind of excited to get him a decent edge, because if he was trying to shave with the current edge on this thing (minus the super tiny ding in it), well... ow.
Here is to week two!
~Lefty

No real shaving post tonight. Pretty tired. Just got back from the hospital, and I am sure there is at least one person who is a bigger noob than me:
Roark Azrael Baker
Born 6-28-2011
8.4 lbs
20.9 inches
What a great day,
I'll shave in the morning!
~Lefty

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeftStanding

No real shaving post tonight. Pretty tired. Just got back from the hospital, and I am sure there is at least one person who is a bigger noob than me:
Roark Azrael Baker
Born 6-28-2011
8.4 lbs
20.9 inches
What a great day,
I'll shave in the morning!
~Lefty

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Congrats!!!!

Congratulations and welcome to the club of 'Men with no life'... :)


Mick

Congratulations.

Congratulations :D

congratulations and I love reading your shaving exerps...keep up the good work and thanks for your service.