Thread: Your First Straight Razor Shave

I have already described my entry into the world of cut-throat razors in a rather long telling, for those who care to read it, the link is below. It's a bit dated now, so the time frame is changed.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/general-razor-shaving-related-discussion/55533-so-here-I-am.html


Mick

I decided to go the cut-throat shaving route in order to save money ( ).
To that end I got myself a Gold Dollar, lathered up and started shaving with it straight out of the box.
I wasn't at all impressed with the result (as you would expect) although I didn't cut myself.
Thinking it must be the razor, I bought a strop and razor set including a really pretty 'titanium' razor. The strop was like a board, so much so that it stood straight out when I held the handle.
How was I to know?
It was then I found SRP and, after a very steep learning curve, hours of study, lots of questions and lots of practice, I am getting BBS shaves most of the time now from blades I have restored myself.
It has been a very satisfying journey so far and I have made some very good friends along the way.
Thank you all

My first straight razor shave took place a couple months before I found SRP.

I had been using a brush and soap for about a year or so, and had a few months experience with DE's before I decided to try a straight razor.

I got a shave ready 13/16 extra hollow Stabil razor from a member at B&B and a Dovo strop.
While I waited for the razor and strop to arrive I read up and watched as much as possible to prepare myself for the first shave.
When the razor finally arrived I waited until it was saturday as I knew it would be a challenge and wanted to be able to take my time and concentrate.

I stropped the razor, despite all advice, lathered up and went to work. My intention was to only do the cheeks, but as the first pass on the cheeks went very well I figured I'd go all the way and did a full two pass WTG/ATG + touch up on the chin........

It took me more than an hour to complete the shave, and I actually managed through without nicks and cuts and a acceptably close shave, but my face burned like I had put it in a bonfire!

Well boys...My first shave dates way back to about a month and a half ago. I happened upon 3 German razors in various states of disrepair. My hefty ego obtained through years of successfully repairing, modifying, and honing knives lead me to believe I could repair and hone these razors on DMTs and strop them on diamond loaded strops for a good shave ready edge.

Needless to say I paid no attention to the suggestions to shave a stroke or two on my strong side for the first shave and switch to my old shaving method...nope, I dove in head first and shaved my neck, and both sides of my face...felt like a rusty garden rake.

I have learned a lot in the past month and a half. Thanks guys!

I am not a veteran pro, but I am now able to enjoy a great shave in a fairly short amount of time when needed...but I much rather incorporate a nice bath and stretch the endeavor into about a half hour experience.

My first shave.... all of July ago.

Even though I am relatively new the experience can be reflected on and learned from. I was a brash young shaver with nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I bought a Hart, a linen-leather strop, and a TI Badger brush. Best quality for the best shave. I still won't disagree with my idea. I don't see myself getting rid of any of it. But on to the shave. I lathered up what I thought should be good lather as I was researched through SRP and youtube on shaving. Slapped the foam on and proceeded to shave. I stopped at my neck and did that with my Gillette Fusion.

Conclusion: I shaved with to wide of an angle and I had no idea what little to no pressure meant. I did come away unscathed but a little red in the cheeks but woo wee when I moved on to shave my neck areas later I figured out what little to no pressure really means. One thing I can say from it is you can only gain shaving wisdom from shaving mistakes.

Originally Posted by Pyrateknight

One thing I can say from it is you can only gain shaving wisdom from shaving mistakes.

But you have to be smart enough to LEARN from them

All I can say was mine was absolutely shocking! Couldnt get the shaving soap to come all nice, was either too much water or too little so it dried out quickly. When It come to the shave I had used only a basic disposable staight razor to get the hang of things then as I started I counted 26 cuts with 4 quite bad ones, looked like I had been in prison and had inmates cut me haha! But as I'm getting on I'm getting really close shaves and started to become quite relaxed.