Thread: First Straight Razor Shave

I've been reading the forums for the past month or so and finally ordered the DOVO Pearlex set from SRD as my first razor set. Thanks everyone for all the helpful reading material on here.

My shaving set came in today and I was so excited I hopped in the shower after work, prepped my face, and went for it. I was able to shave everything no problem but I felt like I wasn't able to get as close a shave as I would like. I went for a second pass, and then a third pass across the grain, but the sides of my jaw line are still not as smooth as I'd like. The second and third pass I threw caution to the wind and applied more pressure with the blade. There were even some hairs near my neck that the razor would not cut no matter how many times I passed over them. Also I had some trouble with getting a clean shave on my mustache.

Am I doing something wrong? I believe the blade is shave ready since I bought it from SRD so I tried my first shave without stropping. Then before my third pass I tried stropping it and I couldn't tell much of a difference.

Again thank you guys so much for all the information that's on this website. It's been really helpful.

Originally Posted by jawang35

I've been reading the forums for the past month or so and finally ordered the DOVO Pearlex set from SRD as my first razor set. Thanks everyone for all the helpful reading material on here.

My shaving set came in today and I was so excited I hopped in the shower after work, prepped my face, and went for it. I was able to shave everything no problem but I felt like I wasn't able to get as close a shave as I would like. I went for a second pass, and then a third pass across the grain, but the sides of my jaw line are still not as smooth as I'd like. The second and third pass I threw caution to the wind and applied more pressure with the blade. There were even some hairs near my neck that the razor would not cut no matter how many times I passed over them. Also I had some trouble with getting a clean shave on my mustache.

Am I doing something wrong? I believe the blade is shave ready since I bought it from SRD so I tried my first shave without stropping. Then before my third pass I tried stropping it and I couldn't tell much of a difference.

Again thank you guys so much for all the information that's on this website. It's been really helpful.

Yeah you are. You're not giving yourself time to refine your technique!


Mick

Pressure is not what is needed. In more cases than not, it has to do with correct angle. We can rule out the shave readiness (or at least could. We don't know what your stropping technique is like.) as an issue, due to the razor coming from SRD. It takes time and practice and some more time to get shaving with a cut-throat down just right. It's good that you got an acceptable shave up front. Real good in fact, most people don't. From here on in, you will only get better with more practice...And patience. Don't expect miracles to happen overnight. Give them time to work their magic.
Lets see how much better you are with two weeks of solid, everyday cut-throat shaves logged in.


Mick

Oh yes. P.S Nice choice of razor you got. It was my first proper razor too...Some 17 years ago now.

It takes time and patience, Don't expect perfect shaves right out of the box, it took me a few weeks before I got even close to acceptable shave that I could go to work with. The first few weeks I would do my 3 passes then re-shave with my DE so that it was presentable for work.

Even now, I still can't get BBS on my neck but I'm working on it. It is starting to come together tho, not sure how long it will take you, but from what I understand many seem to say 100 shaves is where it really starts to come together (Some more some less)

Good choice on blade, I got a 4/8 whipped dog special as my first, followed by a 5/8 Theirs Issard that is being honed by Lynn and a 6/8 Dovo Best Quality from SRD....

Welcome to the addiction

My own personal experience was acceptable shaves after two weeks of shaving everyday, avoiding my usual method for touching up as much as possible, but using it if necessary. I didn't have to go to work during that first two weeks either, so I had a bit of an advantage there. After that intial two weeks each shave was better than the previous one. Now that I know what I am doing (still making small inprovements though), I've dropped back to an every other day shave rather than a daily, because, to be honest, the shaves are so good (Compared to my previous shaving tool) I don't really need to shave everyday.


Mick

Mick, You are right about getting acceptable shaves after 2 weeks. I started straight razor shaving about 2 weeks ago. This week, I have been able to to do a great shave on my cheeks, acceptable shave on my neck and mustache area. However, I haven't been able to get a consistent shave over my chin. I believe this is a problem with the angle. I am working on getting the angle. I think if I can get the angle right, I will be getting consistent shaves.
Jawang, the only kind of straight razor shave that's perfect the first time you get it is at the barber shop. When we start, we do not have the muscle memory to maintain the correct angle to use a straight.

P.S. That's a great razor you got.

I wish I could give you some advice to help out with the chin and moe area Methos, but I've sported a moe and goatee for many years now and have only shaved it off the once in that time. Just to see what it looked like and give my CT skills a test. It came off easy enough, but the shock of seeing my face again meant that I didn't go for a clean shave. Opting instead to let the thing grow back just as soon as it could. So I hav only experience a WTG pass just once, on that part of my face.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Yeah you are. You're not giving yourself time to refine your technique!


Mick

+1

Originally Posted by MickR

My own personal experience was acceptable shaves after two weeks of shaving everyday, avoiding my usual method for touching up as much as possible, but using it if necessary. I didn't have to go to work during that first two weeks either, so I had a bit of an advantage there. After that intial two weeks each shave was better than the previous one. Now that I know what I am doing (still making small inprovements though), I've dropped back to an every other day shave rather than a daily, because, to be honest, the shaves are so good (Compared to my previous shaving tool) I don't really need to shave everyday.
Mick

It took me quite some time to get an acceptable shave. The chin is the area that takes the most time to learn. Before you shave, after you shave and in between run your fingers over your face and feel the whiskers as they grow in. Eventually you'll figure out which direction the whiskers actually grow. This will give you a better idea on shaving angles and how to get the closest shave with no pressure on the razor.
Whiskers grow in mysterious ways and are different on everyone. Take your time, don't rush and you'll get it eventually. It does take time to refine your technique but well worth the time and effort.

Good Luck!!

Originally Posted by jawang35

I've been reading the forums for the past month or so.

I went for a second pass, and then a third pass. The second and third pass I threw caution to the wind and applied more pressure with the blade.

Am I doing something wrong?

Well, first I'd like to say congrats on taking the plunge and your first shave.

However, I'd like to point out a few things in your post. If you have been reading this site, you know that we don't recommend a full pass on your first solo flight let alone a second and third pass. Then to go after it with more pressure when experience tells us little to no pressure is key (and that is true of shaving, stropping and honing) is definately the wrong thing to do.

To wrap up, you ask if you are doing something wrong? Yes - you are going too fast and setting your expectations too high without developing the skills which take months or longer to develop. Please slow down and don't go after shave quality to start. Start by looking for a safe comfortable shave. Savor the learning and savor the shave experience. The journey is more than half of the fun here.

I hope I don't sound harsh. I don't mean to. It is my personal goal to have as many people shaving with a straight as possible and if you don't slow it down, we could loose you through frustration.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to pay more attention to the angle of the blade as I work on my technique.

I completed my second shave yesterday, and I noticed that my stropping technique is inconsistent. I think when stropping away from my body I do alright, but when stropping toward my body the blade does not remain flat on the strop so there is uneven contact. I noticed that while shaving that side of the blade was no longer as sharp.

I'm having a lot of fun with this and I'll keep at it. The hardest thing for me is to remain patient while waiting for my next opportunity to shave.