First Straight Shave in the Books...Went Pretty Well But So Much to Learn

Got my Dovo Best 6/8 half hollow kit from SRD today (thanks again to them for outstanding service and advice). Razor is nothing glamours to look at, but very well built. Plus know that it is truly shave ready is very comforting. Went with there red latigo 3" strop and it is gorgeous. I hope I don't chop it up too bad. I had two days growth and just couldn't resist, so I hopped in the shower and did my regular beard prep routine. I have been wet shaving for about 2 months now and have found a pretty good routine for DE shaving. Hot shower, Proraso pre-shave in the shower with a hot towel, get out and lather up with my fav soap, Tabac.

I decided today would be a good day to stick to my normal routine, so I stropped my razor before I showered. I really suck at stropping. You wouldn't think something so simple looking would take be so difficult. I made probably 60-80 round trips. I could definitely hear and feel the difference when I made a good pass. Just need to learn to that every pass instead of 1 out of 3 passes. Only put one really tiny nick in the strop.

The actual shave went much better than had anticipated. After reading Lynn's "First Straight Shave - Read This" post about 5 times today, I think some of it really sunk in. I made sure to go slow, so I started on my right cheek as I am right handed. First couple of short strokes, not so smooth. Went back again a little closer towards my mouth and I think my nerves calmed down a bit and made a couple of good strokes. I was feeling pretty good so I switched to my left hand and that did not work out. I didn't cut myself or anything, but didn't really take much of my beard down. I rinsed off and took stock of what I had done. Decided that I wanted to try a little more. I lather up my neck under my jaw on the right side. Made a couple of small short strokes which actually went pretty good. Only really covered the flatter part and stayed away from my adams apple. I tried adjusting my grip and working on the other side of my neck, but just couldn't find a grip/angle with either hand that felt comfortable enough, so I called it quits with the straight. Finished up the leftovers with my DE

Overall I am very happy with my first attempt. I got probably half of the right side of my face and maybe 15% of the left side. I didn't cut myself, only a little bit of razor burn. I would say my biggest success was getting a couple of good strokes so I know what if actually feels like. And I stopped whenever I felt awkward holding the razor.

I know have much to learn and need a lot of practice. Mostly is all of the angles and ways to hold the razor to get those angles. I feel like some spots are unreachable right now, but I know it will come eventually.

Thanks to everybody for all the advice so far. Thanks again to the crew at SRD for a great leg up in starting this art with the best equipment. So glad I found this place and the world of straight shaving.

Cheers,
Ryan

Nothing like that first time to make one humble....

Welcome to the dark side!

Jeff.

Glad to hear you first real shave wasn't the end of you. Your results sound about average for one's first shave. With patience and due diligence, you will acheive the results you've read about in time. One quick question for you though, if you bought your razor from SRD then why did you stropped it before you shaved? Lynn sends out the razors ready to go, just wipe off the oil and you're good to go. Save the stropping for the second shave. Any how, congratulations and be patient whilst still learning.

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Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Glad to hear you first real shave wasn't the end of you. Your results sound about average for one's first shave. With patience and due diligence, you will acheive the results you've read about in time. One quick question for you though, if you bought your razor from SRD then why did you stropped it before you shaved? Lynn sends out the razors ready to go, just wipe off the oil and you're good to go. Save the stropping for the second shave. Any how, congratulations and be patient whilst still learning.

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Guess I got a little over excited about actually using the strop. I don't think I f*ed up the blade too bad or anything. It still removed hair quite well when I used it properly. Just so many angles. Gotta remember to take it slow.

Ryan, Bravo!! Well done! They are mighty. And hang low!

Anyone taking the blade to face the first time is NERVOUS. You did it. It'll get better and better - not without some nicks & frustration, but for now, you're getting used the feel of the edge when its cutting well. I've used a 6/8 Dovo Best, and its a dang good razor for the money. 'Comfortable. As you get to shave more and more of the beard, you'll notice the direction the beard lays and spend a few months figuring out how to stretch and stroke each area. The best shaves of you life are nearby. Keep going.

As a fellow novice I probably shouldn't give advice but on this one I think I can. My first shave I was having a problem with holding the razor comfortably, but only because of all the the youtube videos I watched. Forget what everyone else is doing and just hold it however feels best to you. I honestly don't do a single stroke with 2 fingers inside the handle and 2 outside and the handle pointing up. 90% of the time the handle is straight out and I'm holding it more like you'd hold a knife. Is it right? I don't care, because it works for me. Only done 6 shaves so far but I'm getting a closer shave then any cartridge with 2 passes (WTG and XTG) and I'm not missing any spots. Haven't had to touch up with a DE or cartridge. Maybe later I'll try to hold it 'like a pro' but for now I'd rather concentrate on what works for me and gives the shave I want.

I found two fingers to be most comfortable. Was looking in the mirror a little bit ago holding the razor up at different angles with different hands and no matter what I cannot find a comfortable way with my left hand. I am going to force myself to practice it at least for a while withe the easy spot under my left sideburn until it either feels right or I figure out how to reach it with my right. But I really want to give it a fair shot with the lefty.


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