First Shave Done: 99% of my blood remains where it should

Well, the first shave didn't go quite as well as planned. It's hard to tell where you go wrong, when you aren't 100% sure what it's supposed to go like; well, I guess no bleeding is a given. But I think it all started off with my stropping. I think I need tilt the blade a bit more (too much pressure on the blade, not enough on the spine). Next, I definitely did a poor job with the lather. My cup was too deep to get a good motion going, but I did what I could (short of getting a different cup, I was too impatient). So it was a little rough, but over all pretty good. I missed a lot of spots, but nothing too noticeable. The hardest thing, looking in the mirror in a way that my hand doesn't block my view.

I'll try again in a couple days when my cuts (only a three; two really small and a big) heal a bit.

Practice making lather without shaving. Start with too little water. Then slowly add water and watch what the lather does. Keep adding water. Keep looking at the lather. When you see it turn "milky" for lack of a better word, you have too much water.
Keep practicing with the lather and you'll eventually start making awesome, super slick lather. I came to straight shaving from Single edge safety shaving, so I had the lather part figured out. I'd have been a lot more confused and frustrated if I had to learn EVERYTHING all at once.

My shave bowl is a taco/salsa bowl from Walmart. It was around $2 or so. Seriously, it works great. It's the perfect size, depth, shape, AND it's textured on the outside so it is easy to grip. And it's lime green, so that's fun too. Lol.

Brian

Here are a few tips, there are 3 major things that contribute to a great shave and these are blade preperation, beard preperation and your technique/skill. Be sure to keep the strop taut with little sag, keep the blade flat on the strop with little pressure, do not emphasize pressure on either the edge or the spine. Do a good beard prep, there different strokes for different folks, so you will have to find what works for you. When it comes to technique keep the spine of the razor approximately a spine width away from your face and match the strokes to the contours of your face. Dont be afraid to go slow and use smaller strokes, if need be re lather. Its not a race, it is supposed to be a pleasure.

You have already successfully learned a thing or two, put your new found knowledge to work and every shave should be a little better than the last. Soon you will be an old pro like the rest of us, good luck!

Ditto what he said...:)


Mick

Congratulations on a great first shave. It was a lot better than my first shave with a straight razor. I finished with a two inch slash in front of each ear that took about a week and a half to heal. When you are an amateur like me, I don't recommend starting with a spike point razor for the first shave.

You are on the right track and things will only get better and better.

Happy Shaving!

Take 2 went much much smoother. I actually managed to shave my whole face (chin included!), and I shaved much closer. Still not as close as with a Mach 3 or something, but as everyone says, the close-ness comes when go ATG, which I'm not ready for yet. Also, I manged less nicks, but just re-opened up the last one on the chin. Also, a tad more razor burn, which I hear an alum bar can help with, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive (long story).

But I feel like I'm already improving on everything; stropping, making a lather, keeping a good blade angle...

Until next time.

Hi

I have now been shaving with a straight for 2 weeks.
Today my shave was as smooth as a babies bum, i didnt go against the grain yet achieved a very close shave. All it has taken is patience and practice.
As the others said prep is the key. All the advice on here has been fantastic.
I now rather than pick up my mach 3 prefer the straight and the pleasure of knowing i have acheived a decent shave.
Oh and still have the odd small nick but nothing that i havent had with disposables.

Enjoy my friend

Let the razor burn rest for a few days mate to let it clear. Lighter pressure when you shave once you've done that.

So I'm a month in, and about a week and a half ago, I started trying to go XTG and ATG. Every time I do, my razor catches and I end up slicing my face to bits. I power through, but at the end I look a little bit like Freddy Kruger, blood is everywhere. At first I thought it was my technique (angle, direction of motion...), but no matter what I do, my blade is catching. Does this mean my blade needs to be honed. I bought it used, by the seller said he honed it, and it's done great WTG. I'm sure learning to strop on it didn't help, but it still does good WTG.

Help, please.

Hi Shazam, it does sound like your razor may need to be honed. It shouldn't catch if it is sharp, even ATG. It is possible that the edge has been curled learning to strop it too; it will glide over your beard WTG but tend to catch XTG and ATG. I have a hollow grind and it gives the typical "dry toast" sound as it glides across my beard, but does not catch. Perhaps someone in your area can check and hone your blade for you. I also might recommend short scything strokes too, but I would have your blade checked first. Others may have better advice for you. Good luck!