First "real" shave attempt.

Well, I went to the store today and got a bunch of Proraso stuff. I decided that even though I have played around with the razor that Lynn sent me and I haven't gotten my strop yet, I would have a go at it. It did not go too badly. I am not bleeding profusely or anything. I don't think that I worked up the lather properly, and the razor needed stropping. I got a fairly close shave, but I really need work on my angling. The shave definitely made my face a bit raw, so I will need to do some touch up work tomorrow. I also had some trouble on shaving close to my goatee.

All in all it went pretty well though.

Thanks to everyone here for all of your helpful info, I will definitely need more of it.
Chris

P.S. I know I rushed the shave, too used to the cartridge razors.

Proper prep, technique and stropping will make a huge difference. I'd take some time off, at least until the strop arrives, if I were you lol.

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Proper prep, technique and stropping will make a huge difference. I'd take some time off, at least until the strop arrives, if I were you lol.

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I agree, but once you have it down pat you'll never go back. Just take your time and enjoy, there's no use rushing and getting frustrated (that's what cartridge manufacturer want:roflmao )

BTW is your avitar of the old guy? Have you been doing Aikido long?

I had the same thing happen today: got a decent razor, good soap (from classic shave) and a good strop. My angling was off. Shaved pretty well though..and no cuts. I think I just need to hone my stropping skills.

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Originally Posted by aikicougar

I don't think that I worked up the lather properly, and the razor needed stropping.
P.S. I know I rushed the shave, too used to the cartridge razors.

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Proraso is a tough cream to master, IMO. Just remember that if it looks too pastey, add a little bit more water and lots more swirling. A little bit goes a very long way.
Also, don't be afraid to just work on an area of the face while starting out. The last thing you want to do is rush with a straight, the second last thing you want to do is try to shave an area where the lather has dried. I used to divide my face up into 4 quardrants to lather, then shave (one cheek, then the other cheek, one side of the neck, then the other). This seemed to work well with my timing.
Good Luck,
Fred

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BTW is your avitar of the old guy? Have you been doing Aikido long?

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My avatar is Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. I have been practicing for 8 years.

Chris

Good start. Be aware that your face will take a week or maybe even two to get used to the aggressive depilation that a straight razor effects. It's best to take days off between shaves for the first little while.

X

Congrats on a good start! I'm using the Proraso green soap, and this one seems a bit more finicky than the first one I bought. Good prep and proper stropping & angle control make all the difference in the world. For your angle, try setting the razor flat against your skin, edge and spine touching your face, then raise the spine away from your face about two spine widths. Make sure you're stretching & doing facial yoga to keep the skin tight.

Well I received my strop today. I stropped the razor and tried it again. I used a little thicker lather andmy angles seemed quite a bit better. My face is not as raw this time, but I am still having a bit of trouble shaving my neck and around my goatee. I need to get Lynn's video.

Chris

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Originally Posted by aikicougar

I am still having a bit of trouble shaving my neck and around my goatee. I need to get Lynn's video.

Chris

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I think those are common trouble areas. If you're like most people on this forum, it will take a while to get used to those areas since the length of a straight is nearly double the width of a DE, Mach 3 or a fusion. Just be patient and take more strokes of smaller durations and you'll get the hang of it.
Good Luck,
Fred