Thread: I think I dun goofed

Hello everyone,

I completed my first straight shave yesterday and it did not go as well as I thought it was going to. I read alot here, watched Lynn's DVD, watched a few videos on youtube, so thought I was ready. I managed to complete a few strokes down the left hand side of my face to the jawline, but could not manage to find the skills to use my opposite hand for the right side. Forget about the neck...froze up there.

My biggest concern is that I think I may have destroyed my razor or strop (if that is possible). When I went to strop at the end of the shave, I washed and wiped the razor clean with a tissue, but when I went to move the razor along the strop the far edge 'dug' into strop and scratched it the entire length. I was not pressing hard and went slowly. I thought it might be my technique, but tried also on a paddle strop I bought, and the same thing happened. I think perhaps I have done something to the razor?

Nothing that can't be fixed on a barber's hone. Don't worry yourself, everyone makes those rookie mistakes on the strop and you should be nervous the first few shaves.
Make sure you are keeping what very little pressure there is focused on the spine of the razor, you want the strop to deflect at the spine, not the edge, this will fold it over.
Hold the strop tight, very light pressure and concentrate on not lifting that spine for any reason. You'll hear an audible difference in pitch if you lift the spine, it will sound thin and high pitched. Also you may have put too much pressure on the toe end of the razor, keep the blade flat and even across the strop. In a couple weeks you'll be stropping so fast you'll hardly believe you ever made this post.
The scratches probably didn't hurt your strop, rub some leather conditioner into it and then press it with the smooth side of a coffee mug to smooth it out.

Congrats on your 1st straight shave, the skills will come and the fear of the blade goes.

Unless you somehow bent the end I doubt that you've damaged the razor. look along the edge and see if its bent. I reckon you are lifting the spine off the strop but its hard to tell.

Its a learning curve, but very satisfying when you get there!

the far edge dug into the strop? did you lead with the blade?

If you have a divot in the bevel that is sticking out some it could account for the scratched strop. I had that happen once. Learning to shave with both hands is not the easiest thing in the world. Takes some development of muscle memory and like that. Here is Lynn's suggestion for the first straight razor shave. Ease into it and you'll be glad you did later. Jumping in with both feet is the way some guys go but taking it slow is probably the better way.

Sounds as if you may have dinged the edge on the faucet or something. It will hone out, all it takes is a barbers hone.

Originally Posted by UPD

Nothing that can't be fixed on a barber's hone. Don't worry yourself, everyone makes those rookie mistakes on the strop and you should be nervous the first few shaves.
Make sure you are keeping what very little pressure there is focused on the spine of the razor, you want the strop to deflect at the spine, not the edge, this will fold it over.
Hold the strop tight, very light pressure and concentrate on not lifting that spine for any reason. You'll hear an audible difference in pitch if you lift the spine, it will sound thin and high pitched. Also you may have put too much pressure on the toe end of the razor, keep the blade flat and even across the strop. In a couple weeks you'll be stropping so fast you'll hardly believe you ever made this post.
The scratches probably didn't hurt your strop, rub some leather conditioner into it and then press it with the smooth side of a coffee mug to smooth it out.

Leather conditioner? I have some neatsfoot oil? I may of put too much pressure on the blade

Originally Posted by Jeltz

Congrats on your 1st straight shave, the skills will come and the fear of the blade goes.

Unless you somehow bent the end I doubt that you've damaged the razor. look along the edge and see if its bent. I reckon you are lifting the spine off the strop but its hard to tell.

Its a learning curve, but very satisfying when you get there!

Doesn't look bent.....I still enjoyed it though!

Originally Posted by tekbow

the far edge dug into the strop? did you lead with the blade?

didn't lead with the blade....lead with the spine and the toe (far edge?) scratched the strop

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If you have a divot in the bevel that is sticking out some it could account for the scratched strop. I had that happen once. Learning to shave with both hands is not the easiest thing in the world. Takes some development of muscle memory and like that. Here is Lynn's suggestion for the first straight razor shave. Ease into it and you'll be glad you did later. Jumping in with both feet is the way some guys go but taking it slow is probably the better way.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Sounds as if you may have dinged the edge on the faucet or something. It will hone out, all it takes is a barbers hone.

May have done this...can't remember...the blade is damaged at the toe...I can see and feel 'nicks' in it

Now I will need to find someone to hone it....do not want to try this myself considering what I have done!

I am considering just buying another razor so I will have two to try....and so I don't have to wait to shave again if something happens

Neatsfoot will work.

I am considering just buying another razor so I will have two to try....and so I don't have to wait to shave again if something happens

This is exactly how RAD begins...

Originally Posted by UPD

Neatsfoot will work.

I am considering just buying another razor so I will have two to try....and so I don't have to wait to shave again if something happens

This is exactly how RAD begins...

What is RAD?

Razor Acquisition Disorder.
An incurable disease that depletes your life savings once established in the blood stream.