First Attempt down.. Many many many to go...

Hey guys, After reading up on this art, I gave it a go, I finished my first shave (woohoo)..

this is how it went...

First I started WTG, Went through it once... Followed by an Attempt at ATG(against the Grain?).... Still felt Stubbles, So this attempt kept on going by the end I had about 5-7 passes done. I did try to play it smart and lathered up the Areas before doing it. first few attempts yielded no blood which was good news.. but as it went, some "cutting" did occur but minor.. my neck was Red though (irritation).

Some problems I ran into... when I first started, I felt some tugging (against the Beard, and not skin) so I tried to maintain a downward pull to get through it.. I am not sure if this is normal or not, My Razor did come Shave Ready... would that be an issue with my stropping step? or didn't strop enough?

The tugging brought a new challenge... Under the nose hair, the mustache area, that hard to get spot, well, I knew WTG wouldn't work since I couldn't get the needed Angle, so I tried ATG, yet, with the tugging, it felt as if the blade was not cutting through the beard unless some force was applied, but that was risky since enough force would just go through and than would be applied to my nose...(It didn't happen, yet I was afraid it might).

the neck Area was quite the challenge since the slope changes constantly and it was a challenge keeping the Angle parallel to the slope of my neck.

Also, switching hands was quite a challenge on its own since my hand blocked my view, Maybe I was not holding it correctly...


I think my main problems would be trying to get the correct angle, and making sure my stropping technique is correct.. any suggestions on how I can improve upon this, Especially the under the nose area..

-Much thanks!

-Prince

I think it is time to slow down a bit. You don't want to do too much too soon.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

Ummm. Did I read that right? Did you say SEVEN passes on your first go? Really, slow down!

Start with one (or even 1/2) WTG pass. And stop at that. For the next few weeks do only one (at most) WTG pass. You really shouldn't do too much more in the beginning, in my experience and opinion :-)

When you talk of the blade not cutting with the ATG pass, are you sure your razor is sharp? Do you have the angle right (very shallow)? A ATG pass WILL force the blade up against the underside of hairs laying down against it, it WILL tug a little, even with a sharp razor.

In regards to the hold, persevere with the two hands, I think it's important. Grab a knife from the kitchen drawer and stand in din front of the mirror and check out how you need to hold the razor without danger of any cutting (that's what I did). The toe of the razor should point towards the ear, scales should point to the sky, but it's a different hold for a ATG. For the ATG (for when you DO get to it), I hold the razor REALLY lightly, with just a thumb and forefinger grip, so it pivots in my hand rather than digging into my face when it comes across an obstacle (hair) ands the angle might be wrong. Also, all strokes should be short and overlapping, but even shorted for a ATG.

Good luck, keep at it, you'll get it... :-)

Carl

Hi and welcome

I have only just had my second shave so i know where you are coming from with regards to left handed use and trying to see what you are doing in the mirror. With regards to the razor i have started with a shavette so i know the blade is sharp enough, although you have no idea how jealous i am that you have your own straight. It is likely i will have to wait a few more weeks before i can get one and a strop to go with it.

My only advice is as above really, slow down take it easy and enjoy the whole process.

Good luck and again welcome to the straight road.

Kindest regards

Ritchie

I think shave ready razors are already stropped. If that's the case then it's probably better to just shave with it rather than risk messing up the edge by stropping for the first time.

----Michael

yeah, I thought i did pretty good for a first timer, just need to stropp more and work on my angles(on WTG). Im going to have my second shave tomorrow.
This should be fun! I do appreciate the support and Advice! will update this than!