Thread: 2nd shave

Just recieved my strop today. I had to wait because it was 4 days later than I expected, but it came in good shape. I used the strop and made about 50 passes without damaging it and found out what shave ready really is! During my first shave I was a bit more nervous than I thought I would be and in turn ended up with 5 or 6 nicks on the neck. With this shave it went much better and although the razor was supposed to be shave ready I found it wasn't. After I used the strop it was much easier to glide against my face and other than razor burn it turned out great and I am nick free. I am still shaving WTG and I am using a disposable for touch up and the areas between my jawbone and ear so I don't have much bragging room, but I am starting to feel more comfortable holding the razor and using my opposite hand. I also found a good use for my wifes' dust collecting fish in the bathroom.lol

Congrats on your new strop, and also on your successful stropping. Well done. It is well adviced to go slow and steady, learning to hold and control the razor does take some practice. Keep it up and you'll have some great shaves coming up

Welcome to SRP. Your perseverance will be rewarded.


Razor burn isn't inevitable. It is nearly always the result of too much pressure or to high an angle. Both of which can be indicative of a dull razor.

It will take some practice but shortly razor burn and nicks will become a thing of the past.

I finished my 4th shave today and I am starting to feel really comfortable with my dominant hand, but I know I need some help. I want to first explain what I am using and would like hear some suggestions. I really do like how the art of shaving sandalwood lathers. It is consistently thick with peaks and stays solid when I go back for more. I am using the cheapest art of shaving straight with the plastic handle. They told me it was made by Dovo and so far so good. I think the issue I am having the most problem with is strop technique. I used my strop before my second shave( I couldn't wait for the strop to come for the first shave) and it was my best shave yet. I used the strop for my 3rd and 4th and felt some tugging and ended up with a few nicks on the neck. The only thing that changed is that I am using a bit more of an angle with the blade since I am more comfortable holding the razor. So now for the questions; Is it the strop or the angle technique that I am using that is causing the problem? Also this is really going to sound like a newbie question, I ordered the Illinois strop from amazon and it has a leather strap and a nylon strap. Do I use both and what is the nylon one for?

Originally Posted by moerlien

. . . I used the strop for my 3rd and 4th and felt some tugging and ended up with a few nicks on the neck. The only thing that changed is that I am using a bit more of an angle with the blade since I am more comfortable holding the razor. So now for the questions; Is it the strop or the angle technique that I am using that is causing the problem? Also this is really going to sound like a newbie question, I ordered the Illinois strop from amazon and it has a leather strap and a nylon strap. Do I use both and what is the nylon one for?

To get the correct angle (blade to skin):

. . . Lay the blade flat on your face;

. . . Start moving it slowly (no pressure!), and lift the spine off your face until
. . . the edge _just starts to cut hair_.

That's the angle you want to aim for. Anything steeper is asking for razor burn and/or cuts.

The Illinois strops are perfectly OK. You use the fabric strop first (I've settled on 20 strokes, your count may be different), and then the leather strop (50 laps for me).

After shaving, give the razor 10 laps on the leather strop to dry off the edge. I also put some oil on my blades after shaving -- no rust, yet.

You're off to a pretty good start.

Charles

Hey wow trippy photo.

About the disposable thing. Don't use it. Take the vow. A DE is acceptable. In fact, just go with the straight, it'll force you to concentrate and get it right...

Carl

I was going to say good going an using your old method. I'm still going to say it. Good going using your old method to finish the tough spots. It took me about four months to expand the straight to my whole face. No shame in that.

Best wishes to you.