Straight Razor 1, Face 0

Just finished my first attempt at straight razor shaving. I say attempt because I can't really count it at a "shave". I had to go back afterwards and clean everything up with a 10 cent bic. I can certainly see how the learning curve on this is pretty big. I can say however, that this first attempt will Not be my last. I will definitely read up a little more and watch a few more videos before the next round.

Since I found this forum, I've read many post about other first attempts with straight razor shaving (some good, some bad). All I know is that I've never experienced anything like it. It hurt like hell and, to be honest, it was pretty brutal. I managed a nice little slice under my nose and one on the jawline, along with a couple other nicks here and there. I am proud to say that I tried. I know that there are many that never made it that far. Hats off to those that stayed with this until you became "good". I can only hope that, one day, I join your ranks.

Skål
Tyler

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkpeebles

Just finished my first attempt at straight razor shaving. I say attempt because I can't really count it at a "shave". I had to go back afterwards and clean everything up with a 10 cent bic. I can certainly see how the learning curve on this is pretty big. I can say however, that this first attempt will Not be my last. I will definitely read up a little more and watch a few more videos before the next round.

Since I found this forum, I've read many post about other first attempts with straight razor shaving (some good, some bad). All I know is that I've never experienced anything like it. It hurt like hell and, to be honest, it was pretty brutal. I managed a nice little slice under my nose and one on the jawline, along with a couple other nicks here and there. I am proud to say that I tried. I know that there are many that never made it that far. Hats off to those that stayed with this until you became "good". I can only hope that, one day, I join your ranks.

Skål
Tyler

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No guts no glory! Sorry to hear that it wasn't the most enjoyable shave you've ever had, but I don't think anyone really has "the best shave of my life" experience their first go 'round.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html. And remember that when you're starting, low angle, low pressure, slow pace.

Good luck!

Congrats on having the guts to start!!! I will say my first shave was with a shavette and I got myself real good with a 2.5" slice across my lower jaw line! As they say "it gets better" stick with it and every shave will get a little better! Read the Wiki and watch some YouTube and you'll be glad you made the switch!!! Welcome!

Congrats are in order good or bad shave . The fact that you did it and are willing to keep trying tell someone like me that you will get a great shave and probably sooner than u think. The best advice I can offer you as a fello nubee that has gotten a number of great shave under my belt is ...Practice stropping, its imperative to a good shave. Prep your beard the best you can with what ever you have access to. And last, stretch your skin as you make your passes.
Oh and one more thing, the most important thing of all is make sure that you are using a truly shave ready straight that has been honed by a professional.
Keep it up ! Good luck and Good Shaving!

Tyler, I like you straight razored the first time today. I feel the burn too! This web site is awesome. If you dig you can read scores of narratives just like ours in here. It is helpful to read about other guys' experiences. It likely will not shorten the learning curve but at least we know what to expect. Good luck.
Mike

Ahh, well there's your problem. Your face shouldn't be competing against a straight razor. :) The face, and the razor should be cooperating so that the whiskers will lose.
Quick list of things to think about:
Who sharpened the razor? I don't need the name, but if it was you, that might pose a problem, friend.
How many videos did you watch, and were they of straight shaving veterans, or straight shaving noobs? New guys post videos of their firsts all the time, and that's not good technique to be learning from.
Do you know the difference between 20, 45, and 75 degrees? Not trying to be a smart alec, but some guys don't. It's gonna be important to know if you're sticking with it.
Even a bad shave shouldn't hurt! If the blade is hurting you, something isn't right with the edge. A properly sharpened edge will cut you good, but it'll do it with very little pain.
Then again, I could be wrong, I've never made a cut like Bens talking about.

Last thing to think about: Isn't it gonna be awesome in two weeks when you can shave your face with a tool your great grandfather used? I'm stoked!

PS: I don't need answers to any of those things. They're all just things to consider in your beginning days. I've only got about 4 months on ya. I'm no expert in any of it, except maybe accumulation. I'm awesome at that part.

Hey Tyler

Welcome to SRP. I have been at it for a few months and all I can say slowly with each shave you get better. However I do advise you not to shave your whole face to begin with. Start from sideburn down to jaw line first. Try just the left side (if you are a righty). Then after a few attempts switch hand and do the other side (or do it with you dominant hand still)

Meanwhile your technique improves all the time as well as your pre shave prep.

Stick with it buddy

Thanks for your comments and great advice! I am glad you are all out there to share your thoughts and help me get into this the right way. I do have a question about the razor.
I had it honed by a gentlemen that has a cutlery business close to where I work. I don't know the man and had never met him prior to today. He claimed that he had honed several razors from time to time and had never had one brought back. He also said that he hadn't honed one in a while and that if I had any problems, he would be more than happy to take another look at it. When I shaved earlier, I noticed a good amount of tugging and sticking. I examined my angle and noticed I was a bit high. I decreased the angle and ,though it glided more smoothly, it didn't cut as well. I have read not to be quick to blame the blade and that it's probably technique (which I know is terrible), but how would I know that the razor is where it needs to be?
Thanks again.
Skål
Tyler

+1 on regularjoe's post. A few questions if you dont mind and I think the SRP community can help get you to where you want to be. What kind of razor do you have? If new, was it a factory edge usually labeled as shave ready, or was it honed shave ready by a pro? If old, was it, or did you hone it? Do you have and did you strop it? Based on these I'm sure technique and prep will follow. Don't get disillusioned by the first attempt, it will get better and you'll end up loving the learning curve. We all have our scars and first attempts and I think look back fondly upon them. It'll get fun!! Hang in there!!

Best Regards,

Howard

Edit: You were typing at the same time I was. You were faster!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkpeebles

Thanks for your comments and great advice! I am glad you are all out there to share your thoughts and help me get into this the right way. I do have a question about the razor.
I had it honed by a gentlemen that has a cutlery business close to where I work. I don't know the man and had never met him prior to today. He claimed that he had honed several razors from time to time and had never had one brought back. He also said that he hadn't honed one in a while and that if I had any problems, he would be more than happy to take another look at it. When I shaved earlier, I noticed a good amount of tugging and sticking. I examined my angle and noticed I was a bit high. I decreased the angle and ,though it glided more smoothly, it didn't cut as well. I have read not to be quick to blame the blade and that it's probably technique (which I know is terrible), but how would I know that the razor is where it needs to be?
Thanks again.
Skål
Tyler

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Send it out for proper Honing from one of the pros here at SRP you can check out the vendor section to find em all. I have had several honed by lynn and a couple by maximilian its money well spent. Im not sure your guy has experience with straights it may just be another blade to him . They are very different animals. when it comes to straight razors I would go wit someone who has honed thousands literal not just a few.

+1 on regularjoe's post. A few questions if you dont mind and I think the SRP community can help get you to where you want to be.

What kind of razor do you have?
It's a Lombard Co. I bought from Ebay. That's a the information l have on it. I've found nothing on this company in the research I've done.
If new, was it a factory edge usually labeled as shave ready, or was it honed shave ready by a pro? If old, was it, or did you hone it?
I had it honed. The full explanation is above.
Do you have and did you strop it?
I have one ordered, but I didn't use one tonight.
Based on these I'm sure technique and prep will follow. Don't get disillusioned by the first attempt, it will get better and you'll end up loving the learning curve. We all have our scars and first attempts and I think look back fondly upon them. It'll get fun!! Hang in there!!

Thank you for your advice!

Tyler

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkpeebles

Thanks for your comments and great advice! I am glad you are all out there to share your thoughts and help me get into this the right way. I do have a question about the razor.
I had it honed by a gentlemen that has a cutlery business close to where I work. I don't know the man and had never met him prior to today. He claimed that he had honed several razors from time to time and had never had one brought back. He also said that he hadn't honed one in a while and that if I had any problems, he would be more than happy to take another look at it. When I shaved earlier, I noticed a good amount of tugging and sticking. I examined my angle and noticed I was a bit high. I decreased the angle and ,though it glided more smoothly, it didn't cut as well. I have read not to be quick to blame the blade and that it's probably technique (which I know is terrible), but how would I know that the razor is where it needs to be?
Thanks again.
Skål
Tyler

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I think this is one of those times to " blame the blade". Technique probably played a part, but I'm most positive that the cutlery guy doesn't know razor sharpening!! Start by getting your razor honed by one of the expert members here at SRP. Here's a link to the page. I'd recommend one, but look at their credentials and you won't go wrong. Get a professional edge, try again, and let us know, then, how it went! Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Howard

Edit: I did it again. Responded while you were. Still the response is germane. You really need to get it honed by one of our pros, and then you'll be able to progress with some valid feedback and make progress. You won't believe the difference after!!!

+100 to what the guys above said!!

I see I may have found the culprit! I do ,however, believe everyone should get a second chance, so I'll be revisiting my honemeister tomorrow. At least I'll know to STOP if things don't go so well the next time around! Many thanks to all your help and advise.

Skål
Tyler

If I was you I would not take it back to the person who sharpened it for you the first time. There is a huge difference between sharpening a knife and a razor. I can do the former and get wicked edges and am in the process of learning to sharpen razors. Major difference.

Send it to someone from here (Larry at Whippeddog.com does great work as well) and you will be happy. Concentrate on the angle of the blade and no pressure as you attempt it again. For me I put the blade to my face at least 3-4 times trying to shave with a straight but without luck. The blade would sort of stick. I didn't push the issue and picked up my trusted DE and finished the shave. One day I finally got the angle and pressure right and suddenly I was shaving with a straight. Haven't looked back since.

Keep at it, it'll all drop in place soon enough.

Charlie

I agree 1,000 percent with CharlieTN. Don't take it back to the guy who sharpened it for you the first time. Maybe the reason he's never had a razor returned is because everyone he's sharpened for before either gave up or read here to not go back. No reflection on him. He may be a world-class knife sharpener. I can sharpen a knife, too, have for years, but a razor is a whole different animal. And I've dealt with Larry at Whippeddog.com and he is a great guy and quick. Sending it out will also give your face time to recover:)

If it "hurt" it's one of 3 things,

1) Your razor is dull
2) Bad angle
3) Too much pressure


From what you have written it sounds to me like your razor is not properly "Shave Ready" and you were using WAY too much pressure (this takes some time to learn, NO pressure when shaving, let the blade do the work)

I would agree with the suggestions you send it out for proper honing, but I do have to ask, what kind of straight razor is it? Is it a known brand like a Dovo or Theirs Issard? or is it an inexpensive razor you can get off Ebay or Amazon? the reason I ask is that there are many blades available online or at local stores that are in essence RSO's (Razor Shaped Objects) they are made with crappy metal and will not really take or hold an edge. If it's one of those then don't waste your money, buy a properly shave ready razor...

I agree. I came to straight shaving after learning to sharpen for woodworking. After I noticed that I could shave with my chisels, I got a straight razor. But learning to sharpen a razor took a little getting used to.

It's not rocket science; but it is different from sharpening other things.
If you really want to go back to that other guy, first ask him if he actually shaves regularly with a straight, especially the ones that he sharpens himself.

Guys, a few weeks ago someone posted about members volunteering to mentor the new guys, at least showing them how to strop. How's that going? I'd be willing to help out someone in my area. I don't know if Tyler has someone nearby.

I do know that he does not shave with a straight. He said he used to deal in razors, strops, etc. Although this time didn't work out, I don't question his experience or honesty. I don't see how asking him to take another look at it would be a bad thing. I don't have a problem sending it off, I just like being able to have that service available to me nearby. If it doesn't work this go around, then I'll definitely try other means.

Oh boy...

:tameshigiri:

That sounds more like Face: 2, SR: 0
The face should be bowing down to the razor, not the other way around :)

I took the razor back to the cutlery shop and asked him to take another look at my razor. He mentioned that one of his acquaintances shaves regularly with a straight and told me he would let him work with it on the hones. He was there when I picked my razor up and he told me that there wasn't much life left in it. Though he was able to put an edge on it, he suggested buying another in the near future. (Luckily my ERN arrived today!). So with my newly sharpened razor, I got my chance at round two.

I must say, tonight went much better than the last round. I didn't get as close of a shave as I was hoping for, but I was able to make a couple of passes without a single nick! I could tell a major difference in the new edge, but I'm not completely convinced it is as sharp as it should be. After I had my fill for the evening, I then relathered and cleaned up with the trusty disposable.

Overall, I was pleased with this round and I feel like it was a major improvement over my last effort. I felt more confident in my passes and was able to get a pretty good feel for the different curves of my face. I can definitely see how the Straight Road just may be the road for me.

Tyler,

Glad things are getting better!! It's addictive, hold on for a wild, but very enjoyable, ride!!

Regards,

Howard

Well done for keeping at it! When I read your first post, I immediately suspected the razor wasn't sharp; either that or wrong angle or too much pressure like everyone else has said. You really should use NO (no) pressure and a very low angle. Sometimes I still get that wrong and when placing the razor on my face and do so at too steep an angle and get cut.

What about getting yourself a Norton 4/8 hone, reading the JaNorton thread (and everything else on honing) and giving honing a whirl? I normally wouldn't recommend that unless you have at least two razors; both honed 'professionally', but I really believe everyone that uses a straight should learn to hone, and there's no time like the present, right?

I have thought pretty seriously about getting myself a Norton. I just acquired an ERN Hollow Ground for restoration and it would be nice to be able to take it from the ground up on my own. I believe the best thing to do is to get it polished and scaled and keep practicing with what I have. After I'm finished, I can send both of them out for honing and take the sharpness element completely out of the equation. Plus I'll have a reference edge for when I try my hand at honing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkpeebles

I have thought pretty seriously about getting myself a Norton. I just acquired an ERN Hollow Ground for restoration and it would be nice to be able to take it from the ground up on my own. I believe the best thing to do is to get polished and scaled and keep practicing with what I have. After I'm finished, I can send both of them out for honing and take the sharpness element completely out of the equation. Plus have a reverence edge for when I try my hand at honing.

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Yes, that certainly is the preferred method, otherwise you don't actually know what sharp IS... :-)

That's exactly what I was thinking! Again, thank you all for your very helpful advice. It's nice to know it's not a lonely journey down the Straight Road.

Skål
Tyler

Decided to take things slow tonight. I think I have been trying to rush things. That, coupled with a non shave ready razor, is really only a recipe for failure. I think I'm just going to go for technique right now and give myself time to learn my face and growth pattern so that when I finally get a good edge, I'll be ready. I did two WTG passes over the whole face and then cleaned everything up with my disposable. I had no irritation, no nicks, and a pretty good shave! I also got a chance to work on my ERN, which you can check out here
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ow-ground.html
I found a post earlier today that really kind of put things in perspective for me. I can't quote it verbatim, but it was to the effect of "Trying to rush into shaving with a straight is kind of like building a house on a poor foundation. Each step builds on the other." This helped me as much, if not more than the person it was meant for. I was on a track to start doing more than my experience and my blade was ready for. So for now, I'll be working on face prep, stropping, and getting a good pass or two. Afterwards, I'll assess, evaluate and learn the lesson that each shave teaches me.

Skål
Tyler

Yeah, Tyler, you do have to take it really slow. Mapping your face is a really good idea. At least you're prepared to tidy up with a disposable. I was a bit funny about that and FORCED myself to only use a straight. It was months before I softened a little and got a DE. In fact, I was 'cultivating' one of those hip three day growth looks (mainly in my mind) over the last few days, and just shaved my neck on Monday with the DE. I can't get a good shave on the neck with a straight, as my hair grows E to W in part, and there's no way (for me) a straight is going E to W (or vice versa) on my neck. I was actually thinking, for me, a straight shave (WTG and ATG on the neck) and then a tidy up with the DE on the neck would be the perfect shave. I'd be ready to stand on parade in front of Her Majesty after that.

That's the way my neck hair grows also! I may look into getting a DE before it's all over. It would be nice to have one in my arsenal.

Oh Carl.. carl carl carl... I have W to E growing neck hairs, partly downwards. I don't think it even matters enough on the neck to go for ATG, or even flirt with it. I just do downwards on the neck, visually quite clean. I do incidental upwards under the jawbone to get at the jawline hairs (tuck chin down, pulling skin down, jutting chin up stretching skin down are two tried and true methods). The longer str8 isn't so nice as a narrower DE. Can't fault it. Especially if you're not rounded and stretchy. Consequence of slim: a "full-hollowed" neck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AxelH

Oh Carl.. carl carl carl... I have W to E growing neck hairs, partly downwards. I don't think it even matters enough on the neck to go for ATG, or even flirt with it. I just do downwards on the neck, visually quite clean. I do incidental upwards under the jawbone to get at the jawline hairs (tuck chin down, pulling skin down, jutting chin up stretching skin down are two tried and true methods). The longer str8 isn't so nice as a narrower DE. Can't fault it. Especially if you're not rounded and stretchy. Consequence of slim: a "full-hollowed" neck!

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Axel, Axel, Axel, Axel, visually quite clean doesn't satisfy the fingers on the drive to work. I hate feeling that slight, tiny, little prickle and thinking "I COULD have eliminated that". Obsessive, yes. I'm not 'round and stretchy', but at almost 50, I'm a little stretchy. Actually, I've found lately that pulling down on the skin on my very upper CHEST, stretches the skin on my neck (don't try it, you're a young hip taught dude, it won't work on you, give it another 30 years or so and THEN give it a go).

I've been considering my work mates flabby, puffy, chicken-necks lately, and wondering how one goes with THAT for stretching. Do they use bulldog clips? Clothes pegs? I can't actually remember what thread I'm posting this in; is it even slightly relevant?

I think it's relevant enough? Haha thanks for the humor guys!