Thread: Beginners 1st shave

OK , bought a Dovo Bismark and all the goodies from Vintage Blades. Did my first straight razor shave today and my face feels like I need to call the fire department - LOL. I really didn't cut myself too much, the odd nick that stopped bleeding in a few seconds so just slightly more damage than I could do if I tried with my Gillette Fusion. First off though, I loved my Gilette Fusion and thought I got baby smotth shaves even though my beard grows pretty quick. However, the appeal of a straight razor made me try and switch. The sideburn area which I did forst seemed like a piece of cake but it surprised me in how uncomfortable the shave was in terms of it felt like it wasn't cutting the hair easily and was tuggih regardless of what ange I had it at. I certainly wasn't at 45 degrees and was aiming for the 30 degree mark throughout but even that hurt. The only time it didn't hurt was when I had it closer to 15 or 20 degrees but that just wasn't cutting at all. So 30 degrees cut the best but it also felt like I took a layer of skin off of my face. I prepped my beard super good and the blade came "Shave ready" and was sharpened by Lynn Abrams. So what the heck am I doing wrong? I certainly do not expect to be perfect out of the gate but why is my face so sore even if I never cut myself and why did the razor feel like it was ripping the hair as opposed to nicely cutting like my Gilette Fusion. My Gilette I could rip across my face and barely notice it. The straight razor even with no to minimal pressure regardless of the angle was painful???? I am not giving up but I certainly have to give my face a couple days to regenerate - LOL

Learning the straight has it's ins and outs. It should not tug but cut cleanly through the hair and glide over the skin. If I work from a clean(hairless place) into my beard I feel nothing but smooth and I hone my own. (not nearly as good as Lynn) When I do my sideburns I feel a little pull but that is because the razor is on top of hair and cutting through it to the skin. Your missing something or you stropped it and maybe took the keen out of the edge ? It sounds like your doing it right but some detail is missing.

I agree with the clown . You're technique would still be lacking as part of the problem, but I remember having the same issues in the first few shaves. Just start small and gradually do more as you get used to it. I didn't, but this place and all it's fatherly good advice wasn't around then.


Mick

I am also having a similar problem, except the razor is not cutting any hair, rather leaving my face red and irritated. I have watched the videos and have honed and stropped the blade and it does feel sharp, but whenever I attempt to shave, it will remove all the cream, but literally no hair.

Can anyone give advice as to what I'm doing wrong? Am I not applying enough pressure? I'm trying to shave at a 30 degree angle, but just can't work out why it's not working.

Any help would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by Scotland

I am also having a similar problem, except the razor is not cutting any hair, rather leaving my face red and irritated. I have watched the videos and have honed and stropped the blade and it does feel sharp, but whenever I attempt to shave, it will remove all the cream, but literally no hair.

Can anyone give advice as to what I'm doing wrong? Am I not applying enough pressure? I'm trying to shave at a 30 degree angle, but just can't work out why it's not working.

Any help would be appreciated.

It seems that the razor is not shave-ready. Does the blade shave arm hair? If not then the razor needs to be honed. Also a 30 degree angle might be too steep. Try as flat of an angle as possible. Patience is key at the beginning stages. Most newbies ruin their edges by using steep angles, incorrect stropping...etc. We have all done it at one point or another Most important thing is to have fun and not rush it.

Originally Posted by jelway

OK , bought a Dovo Bismark and all the goodies from Vintage Blades. Did my first straight razor shave today and my face feels like I need to call the fire department - LOL. I really didn't cut myself too much, the odd nick that stopped bleeding in a few seconds so just slightly more damage than I could do if I tried with my Gillette Fusion. First off though, I loved my Gilette Fusion and thought I got baby smotth shaves even though my beard grows pretty quick. However, the appeal of a straight razor made me try and switch. The sideburn area which I did forst seemed like a piece of cake but it surprised me in how uncomfortable the shave was in terms of it felt like it wasn't cutting the hair easily and was tuggih regardless of what ange I had it at. I certainly wasn't at 45 degrees and was aiming for the 30 degree mark throughout but even that hurt. The only time it didn't hurt was when I had it closer to 15 or 20 degrees but that just wasn't cutting at all. So 30 degrees cut the best but it also felt like I took a layer of skin off of my face. I prepped my beard super good and the blade came "Shave ready" and was sharpened by Lynn Abrams. So what the heck am I doing wrong? I certainly do not expect to be perfect out of the gate but why is my face so sore even if I never cut myself and why did the razor feel like it was ripping the hair as opposed to nicely cutting like my Gilette Fusion. My Gilette I could rip across my face and barely notice it. The straight razor even with no to minimal pressure regardless of the angle was painful???? I am not giving up but I certainly have to give my face a couple days to regenerate - LOL

I would say you came out ok this being your first shave. I have the Bismark too and one thing I learned about it is that it cuts best and with less irritation almost flush to your face. I shave 1 or 2 spine lengths away from my face and it shaves marvelous. When I first got it I started out at about 30 degrees and it just didn't seem sharp compared to other razors. I told Lynn about it (I got mine at vintage blades too) And he told me to try it as described above and it solved all of my problems. The skipping part may come from your lather being too dry. Next time try adding a few drops of water at a time until it feels right and the skipping reduces. Other than that, just give your technique time to improve. I am new too and have been at it since October and am still learning more and more about my technique every day. Just take your time and enjoy the ride. My suspicion is that your angle is just not right.

Originally Posted by jelway

OK , bought a Dovo Bismark and all the goodies from Vintage Blades. Did my first straight razor shave today and my face feels like I need to call the fire department - LOL. I really didn't cut myself too much, the odd nick that stopped bleeding in a few seconds so just slightly more damage than I could do if I tried with my Gillette Fusion. First off though, I loved my Gilette Fusion and thought I got baby smotth shaves even though my beard grows pretty quick. However, the appeal of a straight razor made me try and switch. The sideburn area which I did forst seemed like a piece of cake but it surprised me in how uncomfortable the shave was in terms of it felt like it wasn't cutting the hair easily and was tuggih regardless of what ange I had it at. I certainly wasn't at 45 degrees and was aiming for the 30 degree mark throughout but even that hurt. The only time it didn't hurt was when I had it closer to 15 or 20 degrees but that just wasn't cutting at all. So 30 degrees cut the best but it also felt like I took a layer of skin off of my face. I prepped my beard super good and the blade came "Shave ready" and was sharpened by Lynn Abrams. So what the heck am I doing wrong? I certainly do not expect to be perfect out of the gate but why is my face so sore even if I never cut myself and why did the razor feel like it was ripping the hair as opposed to nicely cutting like my Gilette Fusion. My Gilette I could rip across my face and barely notice it. The straight razor even with no to minimal pressure regardless of the angle was painful???? I am not giving up but I certainly have to give my face a couple days to regenerate - LOL

Trust me most of us of have gone through the same thing. It's part of the process. Every thirty shaves you'll gain more skills and confidence. For some it might take six months or longer, there is no shame in it. Patience and having fun are most important.
Try using a flatter angle (as long as it's shaving hair) and keeping the skin taut and using confident, short strokes in a pulling motion. That might sound easy but it takes practice. At the beginning few days I would only recommend shaving your side burns with a straight razor until you become comfortable holding the razor and improving your form (keeping skin taut, confident short strokes). Again what you're going through is the norm

Originally Posted by TucoRamirez

It seems that the razor is not shave-ready. Does the blade shave arm hair? If not then the razor needs to be honed. Also a 30 degree angle might be too steep. Try as flat of an angle as possible. Patience is key at the beginning stages. Most newbies ruin their edges by using steep angles, incorrect stropping...etc. We have all done it at one point or another Most important thing is to have fun and not rush it.

Keep in mind that just because a razor can shave arm hair, it doesn't necessarily mean you would want to try shaving the courser stubble on your face with it. It is not an indicator of 'shave ready'.


Mick

Originally Posted by TucoRamirez

It seems that the razor is not shave-ready. Does the blade shave arm hair? If not then the razor needs to be honed. Also a 30 degree angle might be too steep. Try as flat of an angle as possible. Patience is key at the beginning stages. Most newbies ruin their edges by using steep angles, incorrect stropping...etc. We have all done it at one point or another Most important thing is to have fun and not rush it.

All Dovos from that sight come shave ready by Lynn Abrams.

Originally Posted by MickR

I agree with the clown . You're technique would still be lacking as part of the problem, but I remember having the same issues in the first few shaves. Just start small and gradually do more as you get used to it. I didn't, but this place and all it's fatherly good advice wasn't around then.


Mick

Hmmm, would you agree with another poster that said if he (at least I hope it is a "he") is shaving and transitions to an area with no hair to an area with hair he really doesn't notice the difference? To me that would be fantastic wasy of knowing if I am doing it correctly but that sounds too good. Also, did your face hurt after your first few shaves even if you didn't cut yourself. My face is still smarting 24 hours later like I rubbed it raw.