Thread: First SE shave... so-so

Hi all,

After shaving with a DE for 2 years, I finally worked up the courage to get a SE and start shaving. I was really excited and couldn't wait to start (maybe a little too excited). I got a shave ready Dovo 6/8 hollow to start. I decided to strop the blade after wiping down the oil and already nicked the strop. I tried rolling on the spine but kept lifting the blade from time to time. Again, I was too excited. After going through my routine (shower, exfoliate, soak brush), I started to shave. Right away I started to feel a little bit of a tug. The blade sort of skipped along my skin. I thought maybe it was the soap (Geo Trumper) so I added some shaving cream. Same thing. Then i went all cream. At one small point, it felt smooth, but that quickly went back to the "skipping". My excitement turned into frustration. The shave was ok in some areas. I know this will need practice but I couldn't understand why the tugging. Not sure if the lather wasn't good, or my beard is too thick (hadn't shaved in a few days also) and should go with a half hollow or wedge? The angle of the blade to my face? I tried keeping the angle at about 30 to 45 degrees as much as possible. Any suggestions? I loved the process but would like a smoother shave. (Enjoying Jonny Walker Gold label as I type. Saved it for after my first SE shave)

Trumper is a respected brand; adding shaving cream won't help it much. If you have a nice thick lather, that's all you can ask for.

Two things to watch for:

1. If you're trying to maintain 30 - 45 degrees, your razor angle may be too steep. "Tugging" is sometimes caused by a too-steep blade angle.

Lay the blade flat against your skin, and start a shaving stroke. As you move the blade, lift the spine slowly until the edge starts to cut beard. That's (roughly) the right angle to use.

Don't put pressure on the blade as you do this. Don't think of the blade as a knife cutting hair. Think of it as a squeegee, removing lather from your face.

2. You may have done some damage to the edge with bad stropping. If you were lifting the spine of the razor, and letting the edge rest on the strop during your stroke, that's fairly likely.

Two suggestions (in order of cost):

. . . _Slowly, without lifting the spine_, with almost all the pressure on the spine (rather than the edge), give the razor 100 laps on a cloth or newpaper strop, followed by 100 laps on a leather strop. You might be lucky . . .

and if that doesn't work,

. . . Send it out for honing.

Charles

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Trumper is a respected brand; adding shaving cream won't help it much. If you have a nice thick lather, that's all you can ask for.

Two things to watch for:

1. If you're trying to maintain 30 - 45 degrees, your razor angle may be too steep. "Tugging" is sometimes caused by a too-steep blade angle.

Lay the blade flat against your skin, and start a shaving stroke. As you move the blade, lift the spine slowly until the edge starts to cut beard. That's (roughly) the right angle to use.

Don't put pressure on the blade as you do this. Don't think of the blade as a knife cutting hair. Think of it as a squeegee, removing lather from your face.

2. You may have done some damage to the edge with bad stropping. If you were lifting the spine of the razor, and letting the edge rest on the strop during your stroke, that's fairly likely.

Two suggestions (in order of cost):

. . . _Slowly, without lifting the spine_, with almost all the pressure on the spine (rather than the edge), give the razor 100 laps on a cloth or newpaper strop, followed by 100 laps on a leather strop. You might be lucky . . .

and if that doesn't work,

. . . Send it out for honing.

Charles

Thanks Charles, very helpful info. I will try it next shave day.

Sounds like you took the whole face on first time out. I would just do from the dominant hand side burn to the jaw for a couple days until you get a handle on how the razor feels in your hand and to get the technique down for it to cut well. At most you can include the cheek on that side, but I wouldn't go further until you get it comfy there. After a few days, then go to the other side of the face, the neck and save the chin for last before trying XTG or ATG strokes. I think there is a thread here somewhere on this. Pay particular attention to the razor in your hand as a lot of new guys think they are holding the razor at 30 degrees or less and then when they take the razor to the face, their wrist bends back naturally causing a 45 to 90 degree angle.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Sounds like you took the whole face on first time out. I would just do from the dominant hand side burn to the jaw for a couple days until you get a handle on how the razor feels in your hand and to get the technique down for it to cut well. At most you can include the cheek on that side, but I wouldn't go further until you get it comfy there. After a few days, then go to the other side of the face, the neck and save the chin for last before trying XTG or ATG strokes. I think there is a thread here somewhere on this. Pay particular attention to the razor in your hand as a lot of new guys think they are holding the razor at 30 degrees or less and then when they take the razor to the face, their wrist bends back naturally causing a 45 to 90 degree angle.

Have fun.

Hi Lynn, Yes I found the thread talking about breaking the shave down to parts. Wish I saw this sooner. Live and learn right? Appreciate your reply and great job btw.

30 -45 DEGREE ???
You stropped before shave and hit the strop?
you have done things you shouldn't do it.
Never use permanent angle while you use straight razor.
This is the fun and advanced using straight razor.
you make small strokes and find the best cutting angle.
I am not sure about after hitting the strop what condition
your edge is.
i hope this message will not discourage you opposite will
give to you hope that there a lot better shaves you can get
from straight razor if you use right way.
We all make mistakes in start point.
gl.

Hey there!

As far as the cream goes, I can't say as I've never used it. However, I used canned shaving cream when I was first learning, and I think it's an ok option especially if your having a hard time making a really good lather. The other posts are all good tips, and the only thing I would add is to make sure you are pulling your skin tight. It helps a lot, especially with irritation. Finally, in my opinion, unless you really dug into your strop good your probably ok with the blade. I've found that straights are relatively durable, and if you had it professionally honed will keep it's edge for a LONG time. Keep at it, and if you think it's too dull after another week spend the money to have it rehoned, it will be money well spent. Good luck! Cheers!

Hello, SupaFad: I cannot add any more suggestions on technique than what you've already read by these gentlemen. Remember, straight razor shaving is an art and a craft both of which require skill. This will take you some time. It has taken us all some time. What's more, the initial shaves for many of us were rough, and we, too, battled bouts of discouragement. That's how it is with straight razor shaving. Throw the clock away and take your time. Do it on step at a time. Stay persistent. You'll get there.

SupaFad,
To add to the sound advice these gentlemen gave you, don't forget good pre-shave prep, face stretching, and use slow and short strokes.
Keep us posted.
Patrick

Thanks to all your advice, the shaves are getting better thanks to all you gentlemen.