Thread: 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.

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.

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