Thread: My first shave

So after a shower, I put pre-shave oil on my head and my face, followed by shaving cream. I shaved my head with a DE and it turned out great. No nicks or cuts. Went to shave my face with the straight. I thought letting the cream and oil sit would have softened the shave. It didnt hurt but i guess I was imagining it would be like shaving with a disposable. Smooth. I did go in one spot too hot and cut myself. I relathered and went in again. This time a little smoother.
After shave lotioned them both. No irritation at this point but we'll see in the next few days. Question. Should gliding the razor across my face be smooth like a disposable?

Originally Posted by Walril

... Question. Should gliding the razor across my face be smooth like a disposable?

Sounds like a great start to me, congrats on a successful start.

The short answer to your question is yes, pretty much.
But there are a few requisites that needs to be in place for that to be true.

A truly shave ready razor, good prep, proper stropping, good lather and good technique.
In time, those will all fall into place, and the shaves will the best you've ever had

My shaves with sr are smoother and less irritating than with a disposable. I get fewer nicks and weepers. If you did a complete shave as your first and you have results this good congratulations. It you don't get any sting from after shave you likely won't find razor burn developing.

Is your straight sharp enough? Have you spent anytime reading the Wiki? I was several shaves along before I could go to complete coverage. A single cut while unnecessary is not a bad showing.

It just keeps getting better.

Hi Walril,

'Hard to tell for sure, but possibly your lather was on your face - drying out while you shaved your head? If so, it would make for some pull. Especially when new, it takes more time, and no lather can stay moist that long. The first tip that the lather is getting too dry is when running water will not successfully rinse all lather from the blade. When that happens, its not enough to dab water on top of the drying lather - it must be worked down to skin level. Its not at all uncommon to touch up lather that's getting dry.

It does sound like you had an excellent start. BTW - you mentioned a nick. It may seem obvious, but you don't want to shave over that nick the next few days until it heals. Doing so will keep reopening it and extend the healing time. Neosporin was recommended by Lynn some time back, and I also find it speeds healing time. Generic substitues may have the same concentration of the active antibiotic ingredients, but comparing the inactive ingredients shows the difference. The other ingredients in Neosporine are a 'who's who of great things for skin.

Keep going. The shaves will get better, and the fun as well.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hi Walril,

'Hard to tell for sure, but possibly your lather was on your face - drying out while you shaved your head? If so, it would make for some pull. Especially when new, it takes more time, and no lather can stay moist that long. The first tip that the lather is getting too dry is when running water will not successfully rinse all lather from the blade. When that happens, its not enough to dab water on top of the drying lather - it must be worked down to skin level. Its not at all uncommon to touch up lather that's getting dry.

It does sound like you had an excellent start. BTW - you mentioned a nick. It may seem obvious, but you don't want to shave over that nick the next few days until it heals. Doing so will keep reopening it and extend the healing time. Neosporin was recommended by Lynn some time back, and I also find it speeds healing time. Generic substitues may have the same concentration of the active antibiotic ingredients, but comparing the inactive ingredients shows the difference. The other ingredients in Neosporine are a 'who's who of great things for skin.

Keep going. The shaves will get better, and the fun as well.

Yep, running water would not rinse the water off the blade. So Ill keep an eye on that. Will watch for that spot. I think I started something. I told the wife to let me shave her legs. Her razors are disposables and I told her how inexpensive blades were. See what I got myself into.

As you become more experienced with your face and Str8, the shaves will get better. The proper angle of the razor is kept by the DE and kept by you for the Str8. As you become more experienced you'll be better able to hold the proper angle on the Str8 also.
Sounds like your off to a good start.

One area where I have trouble. I still have a electric razor and may do this until I get the hang. I have a chinstrap beard with a goatee. So on top part of my upper lip I try to make a separation between the top of the lop and bottom of the mustache. I can do it with the electric and the DE. Trying to get it with a straight without cutting the mustache or my lip seems impossible. How can I do this? I was able to get between my nose and the top of the mustache no problem though.

Originally Posted by Walril

I think I started something. I told the wife to let me shave her legs. Her razors are disposables and I told her how inexpensive blades were. See what I got myself into.

Just a random suggestion, but you may want to wait until you have a bit of practice before shaving SWMBO. They can get so upset about minor things like arterial spray.

Originally Posted by ANelson

Just a random suggestion, but you may want to wait until you have a bit of practice before shaving SWMBO. They can get so upset about minor things like arterial spray.

LOL. Only DE with her. I think im pretty good with the DE

It might be of interest to you I'm not sure but I read a thread on here a little while ago discussing per-shave oil some found it helpful but a few including me found that when using it during a shave it tended to make the blade "stutter" more and not make it glide as much as normal.

Ymmv on this but it's worth keeping in mind for your next shave, congrats btw on getting past the first shave, they only get better from here.