First straight razor shave

[pokkuhlag]

I started wetshaving when I was 14 and I was using wilkinson sword stuff and at 16 years old I got fed up with the blade prices and I started using electric razors.
Until august 2006, when I lost the electric, I started using DE razors. RAD hit me bad and I got about 10 safety razors (2 gem ( didn't work out, wasn't gliding), 2 injectors and 6 DE's). I didn't thought it would be interesting to use a straight razor, since the DE's are so cheap.
Around november things were getting boring with DE and then a friend told me how he shaved with a knife. I suggested him a straight razor and because of that I was curious too.
So here I am, just got my straight razor that is shave ready (probably not by honemeister standards). At first I tried shaving my arm hairs, but somehow, they were too flexible and thin? it didn't shave them, so I tried the hair test and first they didn't pop, until I put it at an angle like someone's picture in signature space here. It started popping, so I tried shaving with it.
I have barely any beard growth on the cheek, most of it is concentrated on the chin and moustache. So I started with the moustache, it went ok and I moved over to underlip to the chin. There is where I started nicking myself. After seeing some blood, I slowed down on the chin, did things very carefully.
Then comes the valley of the cheeks? Upside down area. N-S stroke was sick, I just couldn't lower the angle enough, so another nick appears (this was a nick from the day before yesterday by DE) So I used S-N on the valley of the cheeks, it was much easier that way. After that one pass and 3 nicks, I stopped before I pushed my luck too much. I'm looking forward to the next straight razor shave and of course my hone .

[FiReSTaRT]

It looks like your razor still needs some work on the hone. Try lapping it and then taking the razor to it. You are very close so a few gentle strokes should do the trick.

[xman]

Good first step, just watch for the nicking. As a DE user I'm sure you know what your tolerance levels are.

I want to support Ilija's statement about sharpening the razor. A very keen blade will provide a smooth effortless extremely close shave for you and you deserve it. You've come a long way, baby.

X

[pokkuhlag]

I think you guys have misunderstood me, the razor was bought sharp. My Norton has yet to arrive, so the ebay razors are on hold.

[FiReSTaRT]

Who did you buy the razor from?

[pokkuhlag]

ernestrome, in this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=8897