Today was the day!

My ready to shave razor arrived a few days ago from Larry at Whipped dog along with my black badger brush and MWF sample. Today is my first day off so I took it for a spin. I read all the stuff here and then promptly ignored it. I shaved my whole face. Overall, it was fine. One very minor bleeder which a touch of styptic fixed. The shave quality has a ways to go but I'd have to say it was better than my electric and about on par with a careful Mach III shave. On my coarse beard.... for my first shave... I'd have to say that's pretty good and probably better than expected. It'd pretty clear to me that my things to work on are blade angle and lather-making, but I'm sure that'll come with practice. My blade is pretty narrow, is that making it harder for me to judge my angle? Probably eh?

Oh yeah. Not being satisfied with the first pass, I did a second one ATG. Ya really need that to get the neck hairs, don't you? Well, I did anyway. :)

Input is welcome.

Ed

Congrats glad to hear your first shave went well.

I jumped in and did my whole face too the first time, pretty much was raw and irritated from it (i was using way too much pressure) but I learned. The first one is the hardest, it gets better from here :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxhill

.......... My blade is pretty narrow, is that making it harder for me to judge my angle? Probably eh?



Input is welcome.

Ed

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I would say , yes . I prefer a 6/8 razor , but a 5/8 works well , too . I have some 9/16 razors that I use for my upper , and lower lip area . I don't use anything smaller than 9/16 .

Last night, shave number 2. I see that I still have a lot to learn about building a lather, but I outdid my electric so I guess I'm getting there. I stropped the razor for the first time, both before and after the shave. That was different, but I went slowly and carefully and the razor still pops arm hairs so I'm ok. Even though my face was wind burned from being out in the cold all day, the alum didn't light it on fire so I'd have to say the second shave was better than the first. I was very careful with the blade angle this time, and that seems to have helped.

Speaking from experience, get that stropping down early in your straight-shaving adventure. You didn't say what kind of strop you have, but I'm guessing it's the poor man's from Larry, as well (I have the same one, and it's seen it's fair share of use). A lot of guys will say that you can get by without a linen or canvas strop, but my experience has shown that a canvas strop is a necessity for me. YMMV

sounds like a very brave first shave. Every time you shave it starts to feel more and more proper. Just keep at it and be sure to ask questions first rather than later :)

You're right, I have the poor man's strop. This was the best way to try straight shaving without breaking the bank. Once I decide I like it, I'll invest in some better stuff. I'll get the hang of the shaving angle soon enough, but building a good lather seems like it's going to take some experimentation. I find my lather is drying on the Left side of my face while I'm shaving the Right side. I'm using MWF. Am I making it too thick or too wet?

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Originally Posted by Foxhill

I find my lather is drying on the Left side of my face while I'm shaving the Right side. I'm using MWF. Am I making it too thick or too wet?

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I've been at it a little longer than you and I had the same problem originally. Try lathering and shaving one side of your face, then lathering and shaving the other. Only now after about 6 weeks can I do both sides quickly enough so that the lather doesn't dry, so don't get too discouraged. Maybe someone else can comment on how to get a great lather. Best of luck.

Today, shave number 3. I didn't shave yesterday and today it was a lot of work. I was very careful with the prep, and washed my face with scrub, then lathered it and left that while I stropped the razor. Then fresh lather and a warm facecloth for a couple of minutes. After that, I cleaned off the later and applied this stuff called Cromwell & Cruthers Shaving Oil, then lathered. With the lack of a shave yesterday, my beard was heavy and the razor actually caught on the hairs which caused me to stop and remove the blade in case it was skin I was caught on and not hair. I needed 3 passes to get a shave and there were clippings in the lather with each pass.

ProperAnimal's advice was good, and I put new lather on my left side before switching to shaving that side and it helped. The 2nd pass was easier and the third was easier again. There's a couple of spots on my chin and lower neck that I could have gotten better, but overall not a bad shave. No nicks and the alum didn't burn. In fact, the Ogalalla aftershave burned more than the alum did.

I'm beginning to wonder if its the challenge I like more, rather than the shave?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxhill

My ready to shave razor arrived a few days ago from Larry at Whipped dog along with my black badger brush and MWF sample. Today is my first day off so I took it for a spin. I read all the stuff here and then promptly ignored it. I shaved my whole face. Overall, it was fine. One very minor bleeder which a touch of styptic fixed. The shave quality has a ways to go but I'd have to say it was better than my electric and about on par with a careful Mach III shave. On my coarse beard.... for my first shave... I'd have to say that's pretty good and probably better than expected. It'd pretty clear to me that my things to work on are blade angle and lather-making, but I'm sure that'll come with practice. My blade is pretty narrow, is that making it harder for me to judge my angle? Probably eh?

Oh yeah. Not being satisfied with the first pass, I did a second one ATG. Ya really need that to get the neck hairs, don't you? Well, I did anyway. :)

Input is welcome.

Ed

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Congrats, Ed. It sounds like you did very well. A chapped face and poor shaves is what got me off the cartridges and disposables and electrics. My progress was much slower, so you can be encouraged by your first effort.

My suggestion to you would be three passes: With the grain, then across the grain, and finally against the grain. Other than that, I think people are one day going to be asking you for shaving tips.:y

Today was No. 4. It's getting there. No one seems to mention this (that I've noticed), but when you get the blade angle "just right" it really glides over your skin comfortably but still cuts the whiskers. This is getting pretty cool!!

Blade angle is one of the first things taught but getting the shaving hand to do it takes longer. You're doing great!

Lucky, more like. But if I had to choose between lucky and good, I'll take lucky.

I purchased a DE for when I'm travelling, an Edwin Jagger DE89. I wanted to try it so I skipped the straight tonight and shaved with it instead. I was really nice! In fact, it was so nice that now I'm wondering if my straight is getting dull? I was using one of the included Derby blades. I think I need input, or maybe reassurance, I don't know. Help?

Ed