My third shave

well, I am new here and tonight I shaved with a SR for the 3rd time.

Shave 1: I had a lot of pulling and my shave was not very close, I had razor burn very bad. (I beleive this was from not stropping very much 10-15 passes max) I did shave wtg, XTG and ATG.

Shave 2: I did much better this time, I stropped the razor 50-60 times and got a much better shave, still some pulling but not as much, I also prepped a bit better. Not a close shave but much better than my first, I still had burn and not a perfect shave. I did shave WTG, XTG and ATG.

Shave 3: OK tonight felt very strange, I wanted to try a few new things after reading several articles so I prepped a bit different. I soaped up my face with hot water and regular bar soap, I the ran hot water into a coffee mug and soaked my cheapo brush for 5 minutes while I stropped. This time when I stropped, I stropped 10-15 passes on the felt side and then 70 passes on the smooth leather. I then drained the water from my mug and added some soap, I got a much better lather, I applied the lather and started shaving wtg, I watched my angle very close, I tried to keep everything under 30 degrees, I also shaved xtg and atg as well but I didnt hear the sound of hair being cut at all, It felt almost like I wasn't taking anything off at all even though it was cutting very well, I finished wtg and tried something new so I stropped mid shave before going atg and applied fresh lather. After my shave I had no razor burn or cuts and I did indeed get a much closer shave, maybe not perfect (I am a beginner after all) but I must ask you veterans, after you have many shaves behind you are all of your shaves effortless?

Sorry this was so long and forgive my bad grammar but I just had to report this, as this was my best shave to date and I am super excited, I almost want my beard growth to accelerate just so that I can shave again, I can't believe that something that used to be a chore is something that I ow look forward too.

Well done, great progress.

The shaves do become effortless, but that is to say that you still have to make an effort to make them like that, it's just that the effort, (prep, angles, etc) become second nature.

It takes as much effort and time to do something badly, as to do it well.

And NEVER stop paying attention to what you are doing with the Razor, regardless of how comfortable you feel with it.

Nice job! The shaves keep getting better but you never can stop concentrating on what you're doing. Down that road lies pain and bloodshed! :)

Sounds like your third shave went better and I would stress the prep work, particularly when your starting off. Some things I found that really helped me in the beginning were making sure I showered and washed my face prior to shaving, soaking the brush like you mentioned you have already done, and stropping a second time once it was time to go XTG, though not totally needed I find it helps me. Sounds like your being aware of your angle which is great, try to be aware of your pressure your putting on your blade though, remember less is more. As well dont get to caught up on the amount of passes your doing on the strop. My barber for example only does maybe six passed prior too and mid shave on his strop, I do the same and find it works great for me. Try to go for qaulity stroping over mass stroping. Also try comparing your lather to some of the lather videos on this website, its a very important part that sometimes falls waist side with beginners and can make or break a shave.

It gets much much easier, and more enjoyable when you get to the point where you are in control of the outcome. That being said its still a very sharp blade on your face, and anybody can respect that. If you think your addicted now wait till your pumping out the best shaves you've had, All I can say is get your shave time in as much as possiable, pratice makes perfect.

'Can't add anything to what's been said - its all there. 'Big 'Grats on your first shaves. Almost no one does ATG on the first. That's impressive. 'Particularly loved hearing about the silent removal of stubble. The 'silent' part makes me guess either a sheffield or heavy grind razor. Whatever it is - its doing its job well. Keep it going. Keep up your stropping. When it needs touch-up, there are many here that will help.

If not there already, the best shaves of your life are right around the corner.

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Originally Posted by pinklather

'Can't add anything to what's been said - its all there. 'Big 'Grats on your first shaves. Almost no one does ATG on the first. That's impressive. 'Particularly loved hearing about the silent removal of stubble. The 'silent' part makes me guess either a sheffield or heavy grind razor. Whatever it is - its doing its job well. Keep it going. Keep up your stropping. When it needs touch-up, there are many here that will help.


If not there already, the best shaves of your life are right around the corner.

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Oh btw, I am using a 6/8 Dovo bismarck full hollow ground that another member here kindly sold me at a great price :)

Oh I also forgot to mention that I have used a disposable type straight razor for maybe 6 months, ofc I had no knowledge of anything so I used to hack my face to bits so I am still considering this my first sr shave as it is still much different than disposables.

As you learn, many of the things that you are trying to do and have to concentrate on to get right become part of your routine. Your shaves will become closer and go more quickly because of what you have learned on your journey. Be open to new techniques. I find that I learn something new with every shave. My first 10 shaves were horrendous, the next 20 passable and things just got better from there. I think the range from 50 to 100 shaves is where most people hit their stride.

You sound like a very good student of your shaves. That's the key, to think about what was good or bad about the last one and take care with the present one. It sounds like you were most patient for your third shave. Go figure, it was also your best.

Try a coldwater shave, everything from face prep to lather to rinse done as cold as your tap will run. It doesn't feel as self-indulgent as a hot towel shave and all that, but it works really well (some say better). I'm thinking that it might feel extra-good during August in Knoxville.

One of my best blades is a German singing hollow that was branded and packaged for Knoxville Barber Supply. It's got a spike on it like a machinist's square.

Good luck and happy shaving.

Oh, yeah, congrats on the silent bit. You've figured out how to maintain a properly sharp edge and how little pressure to use. My best shaves are the quietest ones, especially when they're quiet coming off a hollow grind.

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Originally Posted by roughkype

You sound like a very good student of your shaves. That's the key, to think about what was good or bad about the last one and take care with the present one. It sounds like you were most patient for your third shave. Go figure, it was also your best.

Try a coldwater shave, everything from face prep to lather to rinse done as cold as your tap will run. It doesn't feel as self-indulgent as a hot towel shave and all that, but it works really well (some say better). I'm thinking that it might feel extra-good during August in Knoxville.

One of my best blades is a German singing hollow that was branded and packaged for Knoxville Barber Supply. It's got a spike on it like a machinist's square.

Good luck and happy shaving.

Oh, yeah, congrats on the silent bit. You've figured out how to maintain a properly sharp edge and how little pressure to use. My best shaves are the quietest ones, especially when they're quiet coming off a hollow grind.

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Thanks, actually tomorrow that is exactly what I am going to do, I really look forward to a nice cold shave, in theory it makes perfect sense and when it comes to straights, I will try anything new. Wish me luck and thanks guys!