Thread: My FIRST shave with a STRAIGHT RAZOR

Well guys, after all of my research, my experience getting hacked up by an ignorant barber, and the purchase of my first straight razor, I've finally put the blade to my face.

Here was my process:
1) Hot towel on my face several times
2) pre shaving oil
3) shaving cream
4) shave
5) cold towel
6) after shave balm
7) powder

And here were the results:
I was successfully able to shave the left and right sides of my face, as well as most of my neck. I wasn't ready to try the stache and chin (also didn't have much time left to work with). During my shave, I found that it pulled my hair quite uncomfortably. About 3 people I know (who have never used one) told me that they think it's because my blade needed to be sharper. Well...I disagree. Because it was a shave-ready razor from Larry qt whipped dog razors. Also, it was not my blade angle, I know this was fine. What I think, is that my hair was simply too long, as it had been about 3 days since my last shave. I am under the impression that a straight razor is to be used to keep hair quite short, which probably means a daily shave at least (possibly every other day, which I am about to find out). Other than that, I survived with a few nicks at the neck, but nothing compared to that evil bastard barber who had my face scratched up for a week (at least). Anyway, it wasn't extremely unpleasant, nor was it a breeze. But I did it, and it was my first time.

I'd simply like to know how normal my experience sounds, and any other thoughts, tips, suggestions; etc. Would be appreciated.

Thanks

Cobra,

Firstly, welcome to SRP! I agree with you that the sharpness of your razor is very unlikely to be the culprit (unless you stropped it improperly first). Could you tell us more about your method of prep? Did you use a brush with the cream, or did you apply the cream directly to your face? I seriously doubt that the length of your beard has a bearing on the quality of your shave - I get my closest shaves with 2-4 days of beard growth. There are numerous videos on this site and others showing gentlemen with full beards easily removing them with a straight razor.

Pay careful attention to your angle. Many novice straight shavers think they are using the correct angle, when in reality they are not. Instead of trying to imagine what a 30 degree angle is like, try keeping the spine of the blade 2 spine-widths off of your face.

Remember, use a light touch and don't push the blade. Imagine the razor is a bird and hold it gently enough so you don't hurt it, but firm enough that it won't get away.

Again, welcome to SRP!

Originally Posted by eatcobra

About 3 people I know (who have never used one) told me that they think it's because my blade needed to be sharper. Well...I disagree. Because it was a shave-ready razor from Larry qt whipped dog razors. Also, it was not my blade angle, I know this was fine.

would you please tell how do you know it is not blade angle?

What I think, is that my hair was simply too long,

Sorry i have to disagree in some degree with above statement. longevity does effect shave? yes but not such a degree that you will feel dis comfortable shave in your first shave(lets say if you use same razor for a weeks then result will be obvious compare to everyday shave)

as it had been about 3 days since my last shave. I am under the impression that a straight razor is to be used to keep hair quite short, which probably means a daily shave at least (possibly every other day, which I am about to find out). Other than that, I survived with a few nicks at the neck, but nothing compared to that evil bastard barber who had my face scratched up for a week (at least). Anyway, it wasn't extremely unpleasant, nor was it a breeze. But I did it, and it was my first time.

I'd simply like to know how normal my experience sounds, and any other thoughts, tips, suggestions; etc. Would be appreciated.

Thanks

It sounds better then normal to me. First shave you have done great job.
About the sharpness contact to Larry he will be the best person to tell you about your blade.
Sometimes blade quality is not good and has nothing to do with honer.
hope this helps.

Yea, I have to agree you did way better than most for a first shave. Since you did your research you know about the usual issues to be concerned about so if you're satisfied with the razor itself then it's just practice...practice...practice

As others have said, practice.
I honestly enjoy letting my hair grow for a week in the winter and then shaving it off. It's quite satisfying. I'd do it more in the summer but it gets hot and itchy.
Did you stretch your skin as taught as possible while shaving? That can make or break a shave. Also, how long did you let your lather sit on your face before shaving?
I find my beard prep works best if I whip up my lather, lather up for a minute or so and really work it in to my face, then go strop for a bit. Once the menthol (I have 3 different mentholated soaps/cremes that I rotate through) kicks in then I know it's sat long enough to penetrate the hair and I'm ready to go. It probably takes a good 2-3 minutes to get my beard ready but I do cold shaves 90% of the time so YMMV.
Also, strop that razor up. I bought my first razor from Larry and it seemed to shave better as my stropping technique improved.

Welcome to the world of the straight shave and it sounds like you did quite well... Keep it up and you will be getting consistently great shaves soon

I agree with bharner, after reading all you did the only thing not mentioned was how much you stretched. If skin is not taut the razor may still pull even if very sharp.
Nice work though and keep it up.

Originally Posted by eatcobra

Well guys, after all of my research, my experience getting hacked up by an ignorant barber, and the purchase of my first straight razor, I've finally put the blade to my face.

Sorry to hear that. Yes, many a barber these days aren't well acquainted with the open razor.

Originally Posted by eatcobra

Here was my process:
1) Hot towel on my face several times
2) pre shaving oil
3) shaving cream
4) shave
5) cold towel
6) after shave balm
7) powder

Duration of moist hot towel? Did you strip the hairs of your own skin oil before hydrating?

Pre-shave oil? Some pre-shave oils have interfered with lathering of cream/soap, some people don't like the stuff.

Shaving cream? You don't have to be a living commercial but some are better than others. That could be the culprit right there.

What's the powder? What's it for?

Don't mean to be confrontative but if you're new AND experimenting with multiple unfamiliar products you have several unknown variables that could affect the shaving process. It's one of the downfalls of immersion in a topic-oriented internet forum sub-culture.

Originally Posted by eatcobra

And here were the results:
I was successfully able to shave the left and right sides of my face, as well as most of my neck. I wasn't ready to try the stache and chin (also didn't have much time left to work with). During my shave, I found that it pulled my hair quite uncomfortably. About 3 people I know (who have never used one) told me that they think it's because my blade needed to be sharper. Well...I disagree. Because it was a shave-ready razor from Larry qt whipped dog razors. Also, it was not my blade angle, I know this was fine. What I think, is that my hair was simply too long, as it had been about 3 days since my last shave. I am under the impression that a straight razor is to be used to keep hair quite short, which probably means a daily shave at least (possibly every other day, which I am about to find out). Other than that, I survived with a few nicks at the neck, but nothing compared to that evil bastard barber who had my face scratched up for a week (at least). Anyway, it wasn't extremely unpleasant, nor was it a breeze. But I did it, and it was my first time.

I'd simply like to know how normal my experience sounds, and any other thoughts, tips, suggestions; etc. Would be appreciated.

Thanks

Many of us have a very easy time shaving off several days worth of beard. It can be fun for the drama alone. I've honed razors that take an edge that seems to be capable of severing properly softened facial hairs above the skin (this is what happens with longer hair, especially on the first pass over convex parts of the face). No tugging or pulling as it cuts through hairs on the sides of the intended area, it just cleaves right through them.

Your first time sounds normal. What does cobra taste like (and don't cop out with "tastes like chicken")?

Love your name. Have you actually eaten Cobra? If so, I will have to change my name to RattlesnakeEater. My father-in-law had occasion to kill a rattlesnake and my mother-in-law, who was an artist, made rattlesnake patties from the meat and then made necklaces out of the bones.


I don't recommend rattlesnake. It tastes nothing like chicken! I'll try most anything once but once was enough for rattlesnake. As my father-in-law said, "Well, I think we have had enough of that for awhile." LOL

You did well for a first shave. Anyone who tells you their first shave was a breeze, BBS, etc. is pulling either your leg or their own.