Thread: A Journey of 100 Shaves

...Begins with a single strop

I've read over and over that it takes ~100 shaves until a decent level of proficiency is acquired in the art of straight razor shaving. While this number is obviously not absolute, I thought it would be interesting to keep track of how many shaves I'd completed as well as some notes, lessons learned, and things to improve from each. As of today I had shaved twice and had jotted down a few notes in a Word document. Then I realized, what better place to keep a running journal of each shave than here at Straight Razor Place? (After recent revelations, it looks like I will be shaving and updating the journal about every other day).

Of course, if anyone stopping by has any advice or comments, please post them up!

-Alex

First Shave – 12/26/11

My first shave! I looked back at my forum account and saw that I joined in Feb 2011- it took my almost a full year to finally get my hands on a set (courtesy of my wife). She got me set up with what looks to be a promising starter set- the Dovo BQ 5/8” set from SRD.

I had done a lot of reading last year, but it was time for some refreshing. It was evening when I finally decided I was ready to shave. Of course, everything was harder that I had assumed. The lather didn’t look quite right, my grip on the razor was clumsy (it looked so easy in pictures!), I couldn’t find the right angle to make my first pass.

But then I finally put the blade to skin and drew it down my cheek. It was sloppy, the hairs pulled, but I was doing it!

By the time I was done I had only managed to nick myself a half-dozen times, and my neck (which is prone to razor burn) was no more irritated than from a disposable. Parts of my face were smooth, others still a bit stubbly. I cleaned up with my Mach3…I had done it! My first shave with a straight!

On my list of improvements to make- Moustache, chin, and lower lip areas.

2nd Shave – 12/27/11

The biggest thing I learned from this shave is that I am one of those people that cannot shave every day. While the end result was a fairly smooth shave, the process was full of nicks and razor burn (and just from a single WTG pass!) Hopefully every other day will work for me. In the meantime I have decided to spend my non-shaving days doing more reading and learning.

I also realized today that one culprit of some of my nicks is my lather. It dries out too fast and makes the razor stick. Next shave I will try and get a good lather going before I even pull the razor out.

Things to improve? Lather

Sounds like a good start. The problems encountered seem to be common to most of us starting out on this journey but hopefully this thread will help others realize that their problems are not unique. Excellent idea and keep on shaving!

Try wetting down your face before re-applying lather for the next pass, I find this helps "wake up" drying out lather

One other thing about that dry lather. When I was first getting started, shaving my whole face took so long that the lather on one side was dry before I got to it, which is common. I learned on this site to just lather the side I was working on until I got faster/more proficient. Your lather may also need a little more water; try dribbling in a few drops, then working it with the brush, until just before it gets to the soupy/runny consistency. The 'cleanup' with the standard razor is also a great backup plan until you develop more confidence with the str8; I probably spent a couple of months doing that-rarely now.

Many of us also started with that Dovo 5/8" from SRD; honed by Lynn, it will give stellar shaves once you've got your "100 shaves" in (probably sooner, with your obvious enthusiasm). Keep us posted!

Keep at it Alex, so far so good.

Originally Posted by armiller17

I've read over and over that it takes ~100 shaves until a decent level of proficiency is acquired in the art of straight razor shaving.

I'd like to know who keeps perpetuating this myth???? Where does it say this in an official capacity?

100 shaves is not only misleading, but sounds downright depressing too. Though I'm sure it took some members that many shaves to become proficient, but I'm willing to bet it took the vast majority of us far less. Some even as low as 10-15 shaves. Stropping, now that's another story. YMMV.

+1 for the above
Mine were more than good after probably 25, after that it was learning different angles and overall finesse and tweaking. BBS after almost every shave by 50 or so and feeling like a pro by 100 (even though I wasn't!).

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Keep at it Alex, so far so good.



I'd like to know who keeps perpetuating this myth???? Where does it say this in an official capacity?

100 shaves is not only misleading, but sounds downright depressing too. Though I'm sure it took some members that many shaves to become proficient, but I'm willing to bet it took the vast majority of us far less. Some even as low as 10-15 shaves. Stropping, now that's another story. YMMV.

Well, it's in the official guide to straight shaving written by..well I forgot his name but he's an expert and it's right there on page 22 paragraph 3 line 6.

I can definitely say that, while I could get decent shaves after 25, now that I've got 50 under my belt they are much better. I can only think that by #100 I'll be well on my way. That said, even guys who have thousands of straight shaves under their belts still get nicks from time to time.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Alex!

I have been shaving for about 4 months now and all i can say is practice make perfect!! Also if you get the chance try diffident type razors.

I was lucky enough to try a variety of blades last week and learned what i like and what i did not..

Keep you chin up and your blade sharp!