My first partial st8 shave! :)

So, I was planning on waiting for Saturday night to shave, but I said heck with it! Bring it on scary razor! :beer2: The razor I got was from the classifieds. Was shave ready too. Probably could have used a little more stroping I'm sure, but rodb said it was good to go! Thanks again for the razor Rod!

Got my hot shower, while soaking my Tweezerman brush I got at the grocery store, in hot water. Got my CO Bigelow shaving cream. Some left over Art of Shaving pre-shave oil from my sample pack. Finally, got my hot face towel, out of the microwave onto my beard. (That part felt awesome...)

First time making a lather with that cream... to be honest I think I used a bit too much water, since after a while I noticed it was drying up a bit, and getting airy on my face. I did mix it up pretty well though.

Anyways, my plan was just to do below my side burns down to my ears and stuff. But things were going pretty well! I did most of the right side of my face, minus jaw line, chin and mustache area. After a little while, I did notice a bit of pulling on my whiskers... not sure if that was because the razor could have used more stropping or the lather wasn't good enough. I made sure that I had a good angle of the blade, and was not applying pressure. Keep in mind, I have a pretty full, and tougher than average beard, being Portuguese. I was moving pretty slow too, which was expected. I did short 1/2 in strokes. A few times I got more confident and would do 1 in or so strokes. But because I felt like the blade was not cutting as I was hoping, I didn't keep that up.

Then it came to my left side. I gave a try at my left hand it wasn't that bad actually. I think being an artist, it's helped me develop a good delicate touch if needed. Then I was like okay... lets try my mustache area. Everything is going great so far. No nicks, pretty good for a newbie's first st8 shave! Started on the outsides first... I remember seeing videos on how to stretch and hide your lips and stuff. When I got to the spot, right under my right nostril, BAM! my first nick. It bled fast too, and was decently deep. I think what I did wrong, was I didn't keep my stretched skin/hidden lips in place and probably moved or loosened it. Good thing I had a styptic pencil ready, just in case. Took a bit of time for it to stop finally, so I could continue shaving...

That's one thing I found annoying... if you get a decent cut somewhere, it slows down your shave so much... sigh.... annoying. I was staying patient though. I had no where to go, and my wife was going to bed early since she has a bad cold. After recovering from that, I stayed strong, and started my left side mustache area. Was going much better. Made sure not to move my skin while stroking. After I finished up there, as I was bringing my hand down towards the sink, I hit the blade on my nice big chin... Huge cut!! ARGH!! SO DUMB!! :banghead: I was not paying attention... I was like, this does NOT count as a shaving cut LOL! This was just me being stupid! That cut took a long time to stop bleeding. I had to apply pressure and styptic for a while...

Finally, after that was over, I was like "Okay... I think that's enough Reony... you did good, and much more than you thought you would... minus what you just did. Don't worry, I will make sure it doesn't happen again..." So I finished up with my Gillette Fusion. Immediately, I could tell a difference of the sharpness... Even though it was easier for me to shave with the Fusion, I like the feeling of the straight, when it was gliding well at least. Then, being optimistic, I left the right side of my neck to try one last time with my straight. And that went really well. Since I have a very strong jaw line, there are some steep angles around there. So I had to make sure to stay steady, and if I was going to adjust the angle of the blade, to remove it off my face first. So in total, I think I did about 1/3 to 1/2 of my face area. Not bad, thinking I was going to only do under my side burns! :beer1:

And I will never forget the experience... ever! All the mistakes I made, I will reflect on during the week, do more research and try again next week. I tend to only shave once a week, since I have more sensitive skin and it's just plain easier. And I've attached a picture of the nice big cut on my chin for you all :p

Next time, gonna try some glycerin with my lather... Either just pure glycerin and add some drops. Or purchase a Glycerin Shave Soap, which I've seen Geo, and Lynn both use before a shave, with a cream. Also, I will have the rest of my stuff coming in the mail, which includes my strop. So I'll be able to sharpen it, and hopefully notice a much better difference and smoother glide. Also, I'll probably use a bit less water with my lather too. I actually did that the second time I made a little more, to finish up with my Fusion razor. Was much creamier and better I think.

Total time of shave from prepping to clean up was like an hour I think, LOL! :( Look forward to getting faster and more confident, so I can shave again in 10 - 15 minutes.

Sorry for such a long post guys... Just love to write sometimes. :)

One question... Applying no pressure is the correct way right? Or should I apply more pressure if it's pulling a little. Pretty sure that is a no no... :nono: I felt like, if the blade was sharp enough, it shouldn't matter that I'm not applying pressure. It should cut through effortlessly... right??

Great post! I just hacked right under my eye the other day as I pulled through a stroke too long like you did to your chin. I also do the same thing finishing with a Mach 3 and I wonder if that causes a bit of a problem... You use such longer strokes and finishes with newer razors that I wonder if that promotes bad habits with straight razors where the strokes are so much more measured and steadily stopped at the end. ??

No its not a problem. It's recommended that you use shorter strokes when making a first pass and cutting the main chunks off. It's also recommended that you don't do your entire face, and finish with your usual razor. Then if you go over again for touch ups or second pass, you can use longer strokes. But I'm not at that point yet. My face still getting used to it, and I'm getting used to the razor and everything still. Have you ready Lynn's "First Shave" post here?

First Straight Razor Shave
It's a sticky thread on the Beginner's section

So did you manage to re-attache your head to your body. Just looking at the photo, you seem a little...disembodied. :)


Mick

No pressure. Just keep the blade against the skin and let the weight of the razor determine the amount of pressure to use. If the razor is pulling it may not be sharp enough. Was you razor shave ready when you bought it? I'm not asking if the razor was sold as "shave ready", rather was it honed by a professional. It does make a difference.

Congrats on your first shave. It will get better, most days.

Have fun and be patient.

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Originally Posted by MickR

So did you manage to re-attache your head to your body. Just looking at the photo, you seem a little...disembodied. :)


Mick

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Don't worry. Neosporin ftw! I also have Wolverine type healing powers :P

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Originally Posted by samda

No pressure. Just keep the blade against the skin and let the weight of the razor determine the amount of pressure to use. If the razor is pulling it may not be sharp enough. Was you razor shave ready when you bought it? I'm not asking if the razor was sold as "shave ready", rather was it honed by a professional. It does make a difference.

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No I don't think so... :( I guess I should send it in to Lynn in SRD? Unless there's a place locally in the northern Virginia area. What exactly would I search for, for a place like that?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by rolodave

Congrats on your first shave. It will get better, most days.

Have fun and be patient.

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Thanks! :D

Nice, congrats!! On about my fifth shave, I did the exact same thing to my chin. Got my dang face to close to the mirror and as I was bringing the razor down to the sink... nice clean slice!!! Just keep it moist and it will heal up just fine. Good work, keep it going!! :)

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Originally Posted by dorknight

So, I was planning on waiting for Saturday night to shave, but I said heck with it! Bring it on scary razor! :beer2: The razor I got was from the classifieds. Was shave ready too. Probably could have used a little more stroping I'm sure, but rodb said it was good to go! Thanks again for the razor Rod!

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Originally Posted by samda

No pressure. Just keep the blade against the skin and let the weight of the razor determine the amount of pressure to use. If the razor is pulling it may not be sharp enough. Was you razor shave ready when you bought it? I'm not asking if the razor was sold as "shave ready", rather was it honed by a professional. It does make a difference.

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Originally Posted by dorknight

No I don't think so... :( I guess I should send it in to Lynn in SRD? Unless there's a place locally in the northern Virginia area. What exactly would I search for, for a place like that?

Thanks

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So, one shave in and your can determine whether or not the edge is good and in need of a professional honing. I've met rodb at a razor meet and we discussed our shaving history. He can hone his own to shaving satisfaction, and with natural stones to boot. Actually, I've seen him discuss a variety of stones (I'm not into naturals or old fashioned barber's hones but he apparently is) and he has met up with and explored honing with an established honing mentor in our area. I don't think he needs the help of a honing mentor, given his experience, I'm just saying he hangs out with and explores advanced honing topics with one.

We have plenty of posts from beginners who suspect their razors edges aren't good enough. One of the problems is poor stropping technique. If this guy (rodb) said the razor was pre-stropped and good to go I'd believe it. It's probably a lather problem, an angle or pressure problem or perhaps the edge was improperly stropped ("rolled over"), which wouldn't be the case here if you hadn't stropped it. If you have a tougher beard I could see how a mild edge wouldn't be as effective as a super-sharp one, perhaps you could inquire what the edge was finished with. I don't think beginner's are better off with super, scary sharp edges, something middle-of-the-road would probably be best (unless they have previous experience with the shavettes/disposable straight-razor-like shavers). Technique goes a long way to eliminating the pulling. I wouldn't send it to a professional if it was honed and finished by rodb.

Dork, are you transitioning from a cartridge directly to a straight? Have you used non-swivelling disposables or a DE yet? At least now you know to maintain awareness and control over your open razor even when you're not intending to cut the hairs of your face. Hopefully this will be not only the first, but also the last time you inadvertantly slice your flesh open.

Your shaves will get better with time. Don't worry too much about your lather, like adding glycerin, or whatever. For now, just focus on your technique. You will develop the skill and muscle memory, and before you know it, your shaves will be seemingly effortless. There really is a learning curve, and it is different for everybody. You will learn, from experience rather from reading, the importance of angles and no pressure, among other things.

Be persistent and patient. Soon enough your shave time will shorten, significantly. I wish you the best. Keep posting. I'd like to hear how you progress.

Haha, love the title of your comment Axel! :p

Thanks for the insight... makes sense. Yes, I went straight from cartridge to straight. I do not want to bother using DE or anything else... Even though it might be easier with a sharper edge, I want to take your advice and use a middle-of-the-road sharpness. I inspected the blade and it's definitely not rolled over. Nice and straight :)

I did also mention in my post, that I think I used too much water at first for my lather. Second time I made it, was much creamier and thicker. Maybe I'll try it once without using a pre-shave oil? I don't know... maybe that will help. But my gut says that with my tough beard, the pre-shave oil really helps. I also did order some of Stephan's Stay Smooth Shave Cream, which I have read a lot, is an excellent pre-shave cream. Cheap too!

Thanks again for the tips

Just got around to reading your original post (lack of time to read it earlier). Much of your problems are to do with lack of experience and poor technique. We've all been there. Just as we've all been (or will go) to the place where you have just a little knowledge, but in your mind are an expert ( I reckon I've made that area my permanant abode :)). With time, practice and patience you will improve. Just be prepared for the learning curve and the mistakes that will inevitably occur.

You're an artist? What sort? Do you sketch? I started a Sketch thread a while back that's gone a bit quiet. Feel free to hunt that up and post some photo's of your art.


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Just got around to reading your original post (lack of time to read it earlier). Much of your problems are to do with lack of experience and poor technique. We've all been there. Just as we've all been (or will go) to the place where you have just a little knowledge, but in your mind are an expert ( I reckon I've made that area my permanant abode :)). With time, practice and patience you will improve. Just be prepared for the learning curve and the mistakes that will inevitably occur.

You're an artist? What sort? Do you sketch? I started a Sketch thread a while back that's gone a bit quiet. Feel free to hunt that up and post some photo's of your art.


Mick

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Thanks for the encouraging words :) Currently I'm doing web design. I went to school for animation. I have a link on my profile to my website actually. There's also a www button under my comments. Its been a while since I've sketched like that. It makes me sad sometimes. But my other hobbies are important too. I only have so much time each day. Now I have this one too :D

I know what you're saying about hobbies. I have many. I said to my wife the other day,"I'm bored!". She told me to go do one of my hobbies, I asked if I couldn't just get a new one. She just about had a pink fit while she was listing off all the current hobbies before stating that I had no bloody right to be bored for the rest of my days even if I was a bloody immortal...She went on for quite some minutes about it. It was getting rather embarrassing, as the neighbours were coming out to see who's husband was being brow beaten back into place this time. I noticed most of them were saying things like. "Oh it's Mick and his missus again. Won't he ever learn?!" Dogs were barking, kids were crying, sirens were squalling, birds were flying away kicking up a hell of a raucous...What were we talking about again?! :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

I know what you're saying about hobbies. I have many. I said to my wife the other day,"I'm bored!". She told me to go do one of my hobbies, I asked if I couldn't just get a new one. She just about had a pink fit while raucous...What were we talking about again?! :)
Mick

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For the uneducated, what qualifies as a "Pink Fit?

Well, being 'Struck Roan' would qualify, 'Chucking a Wobbly' would as well, as too, would 'Stoning the Crows' or 'Doing your Lolly'. Does that help to answer your question? :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

I know what you're saying about hobbies. I have many. I said to my wife the other day,"I'm bored!". She told me to go do one of my hobbies, I asked if I couldn't just get a new one. She just about had a pink fit while she was listing off all the current hobbies before stating that I had no bloody right to be bored for the rest of my days even if I was a bloody immortal...She went on for quite some minutes about it. It was getting rather embarrassing, as the neighbours were coming out to see who's husband was being brow beaten back into place this time. I noticed most of them were saying things like. "Oh it's Mick and his missus again. Won't he ever learn?!" Dogs were barking, kids were crying, sirens were squalling, birds were flying away kicking up a hell of a raucous...What were we talking about again?! :)


Mick

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Omg, I just read this to my wife when we woke up, and we were ROFL! :rofl2:

Your first shave experience sounds about normal, remember that a SR blade is probably a minimum of twice as wide as a cart so there is a lot more surface area it is covering per stroke.

I tested that blade WTG and ATG and it passed my face test, if it still has issues after a few shaves feel free to send it back and I'll give the edge another go at the stones.

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Originally Posted by rodb

Your first shave experience sounds about normal, remember that a SR blade is probably a minimum of twice as wide as a cart so there is a lot more surface area it is covering per stroke.

I tested that blade WTG and ATG and it passed my face test, if it still has issues after a few shaves feel free to send it back and I'll give the edge another go at the stones.

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Thank you very much Rod. Appreciate it. I look forward to doing more business with you in the future :)