First SR shave and first cut

Well I got my razor back from Whipped Dog. I sent it in to get honed and I must say he did a nice job. Well I couldn't wait so I decided to give the razor a try. I stropped it according to what I read in the forums and latered up and gave it a go. I've got a BBS on my strong side and a nice 1" cut on the other. lol I didn't even feel it cut, it just stopped. Btw, stypic pencils hurt in large cuts. It took forever for the bleeding to stop. But strangely enough I want to give it another go. I think I didn't strop it enough, or I had the angle wrong. I'm going to try again and see if I can fix that. FWIW, I'm hooked. I'm going to get my DE going and try it out as well. The blades I bought for it are crap. I can't really cut paper with them. But I have some better ones coming in. Hopefully I won't loose a bunch of blood with that as well. lol

Most vendors who hone suggest you do not strop the razor for that first shave. The theory is if your relatively new to straight shaving and stropping you are more likely to reduce the quality of edge than improve it. I have never used Larry for Honing so his policy may be different.

I didn't strop much. I didn't receive any instructions with it so I just followed what I read here. I'll just chalk that one up to experience.

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Originally Posted by Dorado

I didn't strop much. I didn't receive any instructions with it so I just followed what I read here. I'll just chalk that one up to experience.

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I have used one of Larry's razors and it was a smooth shave. You obviously didn't damage the razor stropping it if you got a BBS first time and cut yourself without feeling it. Try shaving less territory at one shave and finish with the DE. It will take a few shaves to develop a pattern of strokes while staying aware of the razor's proximity to your face. You gotta know from heel to toe which way the blood can flow. I have learned to shave closer to the heel of the razor which keeps the toe generally pointed out from my face. One scar from my square point razor was the only reminder I have needed thus far. If the toe starts to angle in towards skin I better be looking to shave from that end.

I think your razor sharp enough, next time in difficult areas try to make short strokes and change angles. Sometimes I use my razor almost flat on my face, it give me clean and comfortable shave

Hey Dorado, I'm pretty new to this too. It took me 7 or 8 shaves until I shaved my entire face. That was only WTG. Take it slow. The best advice I got was to keep the spine about 1-2 widths from my face. That should be about the 30 degrees you are looking for. I did the same thing on my weak side. I let my angle get too steep and I didn't have my skin pulled tight enough. Slow and easy, enjoy the ride!

LMAO you just made me remember my first shave. I was using a Parker shavette and the AOS travel pack. I did my whole face. At one point I looked in the mirror and all I could see were red spots weeping blood. I was litteraly shaking with anxiety and pain and all I could think was "oh hell no, I will do this until I get this right!" I found this place a couple of months later. Oh the amount of things I did wrong that first shave!! lol

You will get better just stick it out and have fun!

Well, I was only shaving my sideburns not my entire face. I'm going to give it another try here in a little while and see what comes of it. Hopefully I won't get another big gash like what I've got. It's about an inch and a half long. lol But it's already starting to heal. It was a very clean cut, and I heal fast. I'll go slower and stretch my skin a bit more and really focus on my angle.

Well, I got my second shave in and came out without any bloodletting. Nice shave too. I believe that my problem was angle and stretch. Too much of one and not enough of the other.

Glad you find a problem! You will be surprise how with every next shave you will have better and better shaves...There is no limit to perfection

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Originally Posted by Dorado

It was a very clean cut, and I heal fast.

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I also find that razor/surgical cuts heal very fast. It's almost like our body is telling us to go ahead with the next shave.

By the way, how did you get that long cut?
Were you using slicing motion?

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Originally Posted by xuz

I also find that razor/surgical cuts heal very fast. It's almost like our body is telling us to go ahead with the next shave.

By the way, how did you get that long cut?
Were you using slicing motion?

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No, I have a scar there anyways I think I just caught the edge and it dug in. I'm not sure about it.
I got my third shave in and only got a small nick, nothing that wouldn't happen with a safety razor so I'm happy with it. I'm going to get me some preshave oil and see how that goes.

The first of many cuts! It's good to see that it didn't discourage you. Good luck, ''Rome wasn't built in a day.''

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Originally Posted by Firefighter2

The first of many cuts! It's good to see that it didn't discourage you. Good luck, ''Rome wasn't built in a day.''

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If I stopped doing all the things that I do because I got cut, I wouldn't do anything at all. I doubt a day goes by that I don't bang, scrape, or cut myself. It's also not easy to discourage me from doing anything. If I get it in my head that I want to do that, then that's what I'll do, damn all that try to stop me too.

Give Alum a go. That should give you some good feedback on how your shaving.

I got my brother-in-law started and he loves it. I found out later that my sister thinks he is an idiot for SR shaving.

I asked her why she thought he was an idiot.

She said, "Because he is so clumsy he can't open the hood on the car without cutting himself!" :)

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Originally Posted by Crotalus

I got my brother-in-law started and he loves it. I found out later that my sister thinks he is an idiot for SR shaving.

I asked her why she thought he was an idiot.

She said, "Because he is so clumsy he can't open the hood on the car without cutting himself!" :)

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lol:rofl2:

Welcome to SRP and enjoy the ride:mexwave:

Hi, I think you now know it had nothing to do with stropping. In my experience I feel not enough stropping (i.e. dull razor) will result in razor burn as you try and press too hard to compensate for a dull edge. It IS possible that you'll still cut yourself, but you seemed to be happy with the result on one side of your face, so I think stropping wasn't the issue.

Pre-shave oil or cream (I'd recommend Proraso) can help as it'll allow for more glide. But first, check out your lather, is it too dry? Dry lather can result in a cut as the razor doesn't glide nicely, but digs in. I find a razor will cut:

(a) if the lather is too dry
(b) if I lack attention by either
(1) moving the razor sideways (i.e. along its length), or
(2) adopting the wrong angle
(c) If I push to much ATG, esp under the chin

For me, they really are the only reasons I get a cut, and normally it's (b)...

Carl

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Hi, I think you now know it had nothing to do with stropping. In my experience I feel not enough stropping (i.e. dull razor) will result in razor burn as you try and press too hard to compensate for a dull edge. It IS possible that you'll still cut yourself, but you seemed to be happy with the result on one side of your face, so I think stropping wasn't the issue.

Pre-shave oil or cream (I'd recommend Proraso) can help as it'll allow for more glide. But first, check out your lather, is it too dry? Dry lather can result in a cut as the razor doesn't glide nicely, but digs in. I find a razor will cut:

(a) if the lather is too dry
(b) if I lack attention by either
(1) moving the razor sideways (i.e. along its length), or
(2) adopting the wrong angle
(c) If I push to much ATG, esp under the chin

For me, they really are the only reasons I get a cut, and normally it's (b)...

Carl

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I'm trying to find me some Proraso pre-shave oil or cream without ordering it, but I'm not having much luck. I've been playing around with the lather and I think I have it about right. My best guess is that I had too sharp of an angle so the razor dug in instead of gliding across. I've been watching the angle closely and I haven't cut myself since beyond any normal nicks, so I think I'm doing well with that.
Right now I'm just trying to get comfortable with what I'm doing before I move off of my sideburns and get my entire cheek and neck. I don't want to have several open cuts on my face, one at a time for me please. lol

Doardo,

Also get a tube of antibiotic cream or ointment at your local drugstore. It will help that cut heal faster; and you won't get any infection in the cut either.

Pleased to hear that your progressing as a straight razor shaver.

In addition to blade angle and stretching, it sounds like you're learning the contours of your face. Now you know that that scar on your face is an area to shave VERY carefully around.

BTW...If you can't find any Proraso pre-post-shave cream at your local apothecary, get some Noxzema cream in a jar. It will do a serviceable job preparing your beard for shaving.

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Originally Posted by Dorado

I'm trying to find me some Proraso pre-shave oil or cream without ordering it, but I'm not having much luck. I've been playing around with the lather and I think I have it about right. My best guess is that I had too sharp of an angle so the razor dug in instead of gliding across. I've been watching the angle closely and I haven't cut myself since beyond any normal nicks, so I think I'm doing well with that.
Right now I'm just trying to get comfortable with what I'm doing before I move off of my sideburns and get my entire cheek and neck. I don't want to have several open cuts on my face, one at a time for me please. lol

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Hi Dorado,
If you click on your name at the top right of the screen, and then click the 'About me' tab, you can edit your profile to show your location. This allows us to help out with where to buy things. I know I can get Proraso pre-shave cream at the local shopping centre, but that's no good to you if you live in Tibet :-)

If I were you, I'd hold off until you can get the new formula of Proraso. I'm sure I found somewhere online the other day, but I may be mistaken. The new formula dispenses with the possible 'nasties' like parabens. There's a new (I think) formula for the pre-post named 'green tea and oats' I think. It sounds quite nice. I do like the eucalyptus scent, but it smells a little like a chest rub used for the common cold ('Vicks'), and with Winter coming on I don't want to smell like that!

Low angle is what's needed, though as you get better you'll be amazed at how steep an angle you can use for some areas.
When I first started SR shaving I was really nervous, but now, it's really second nature, I don't even have to think about it very much (though I still need to concentrate fully) and I've been at it less than a year.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Hi Dorado,
If you click on your name at the top right of the screen, and then click the 'About me' tab, you can edit your profile to show your location. This allows us to help out with where to buy things. I know I can get Proraso pre-shave cream at the local shopping centre, but that's no good to you if you live in Tibet :-)

If I were you, I'd hold off until you can get the new formula of Proraso. I'm sure I found somewhere online the other day, but I may be mistaken. The new formula dispenses with the possible 'nasties' like parabens. There's a new (I think) formula for the pre-post named 'green tea and oats' I think. It sounds quite nice. I do like the eucalyptus scent, but it smells a little like a chest rub used for the common cold ('Vicks'), and with Winter coming on I don't want to smell like that!

Low angle is what's needed, though as you get better you'll be amazed at how steep an angle you can use for some areas.
When I first started SR shaving I was really nervous, but now, it's really second nature, I don't even have to think about it very much (though I still need to concentrate fully) and I've been at it less than a year.

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Thanks for the help. I'll do that.

Dorado,

I bought some C.O.Bigelow (made by Proraso, even says on the tube) Shaving cream at Bath and Body works. That store seems to be pretty ubiquitous. I am still very new to straight razor shaving, and I am all too familiar with your story. It gets better though!! Every cut makes me want to take another pass so I can finish without any nicks. Be gentle and mind the angle and the toe point. I have a rounded point, and always seem to nick my earlobe with it when I am not paying attention, and never seem to feel a thing!

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Originally Posted by jhenry

Doardo,
Also get a tube of antibiotic cream or ointment at your local drugstore. It will help that cut heal faster; and you won't get any infection in the cut either.

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No, don't do this. Antibiotics are useful for treating infections. Because the face has an excellent blood supply, and your razor is a very clean surface, there is very, very little chance of getting an infection from a razor cut. Applying antibiotics does nothing to speed healing unless the cut is infected, but widespread (over)-use of antibiotics favours the growth of resistant bacteria, eventually creating resistant strains and making the antibiotic ineffective. (This has happened to an extent that there are now problem bacteria such as MRSA and multi-resistant TB.) See here for more info.

Summary: 'Preventive' use of antibiotics does nothing for the individual and harms the community.

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Originally Posted by Biodoc100

Dorado,

I bought some C.O.Bigelow (made by Proraso, even says on the tube) Shaving cream at Bath and Body works. That store seems to be pretty ubiquitous. I am still very new to straight razor shaving, and I am all too familiar with your story. It gets better though!! Every cut makes me want to take another pass so I can finish without any nicks. Be gentle and mind the angle and the toe point. I have a rounded point, and always seem to nick my earlobe with it when I am not paying attention, and never seem to feel a thing!

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I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

Matt69, I usually don't use antibiotic cream, unless the cut was from something that was dirty or suspicious of being so. I didn't for this because it wasn't needed.

Aftershave should take care of any nicks. A styptic pencil will do the same to prevent infections.

[QUOTE=Dorado;951985]I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

I am under the impression that the rounded points are a little more forgiving, whereas a spike point is less so.

[QUOTE=Biodoc100;952043]

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Originally Posted by Dorado

I don't have a razor with a rounded point. Both of mine have a flat end. What's the difference? I assume the rounded end is for less nicks.

I am under the impression that the rounded points are a little more forgiving, whereas a spike point is less so.

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Ah, so I'm starting with the hard equipment....Why is it that everytime I start something I always wind up with the hard things. lol

Spikes are cool, rounded toes are for pussies...

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Spikes are cool, rounded toes are for pussies...

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Hell yeah!

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Spikes are cool, rounded toes are for pussies...

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MEOW!:overkill:

I just looked at my collection. There isn't a single rounded toe in the bunch.

Even though I'm still a noob, I've never cut myself with the toe.

I'm starting to get fairly comfortable with the straight. I've been getting my cheeks with my straight and finishing off with my DE or my Mach III and I'm weening myself off of the Mach III I've decided that I'm not buying anymore blades for it. My next shave I'll try shaving my neck with my SR. I'll have a stypic pencil and my first aid kit near, and have 911 on speed dial. lol

Well, I got through with my neck without killing myself. But I've learned that I need to practice more with my left. I'm ok with shaving my neck with my right but my left is going to get me hurt. So, I'm thinking that I'll hold off a little and practice more before I try again. But I'm starting to get a good shave out of my SR