Thread: Shave number two

Well, I tried again today with some better soap. I bought some proraso white.

The soap is definitely better than the junk I was using, and I watched my angles. I still feel like I was pulling the hair out of my face. All in all I feel okay though, because I don't have any irritation now. So I think I came out a winner.

I mixed up some of my own pre-shave oil, and then moisturized after. I think that helped save my skin.

Patrick

Proraso white is excellent IMO. Sounds like the razor might be dulling or the angle is too steep. But you sound like you did fine. It gets easier.

Keep working on your lather and reading the articles on here in proper lather. It should help. You may also try an arm hair test to make sure it is cutting with ease. This can help you determine if your razor is dull or not.

I would recommend paying close attention to the amount of pressure your using. Very little pressure ... Cheers

That's good - it sounds like things are going in the right direction, at least on the irritation front. Now we just need to get the thing shaving properly.

Good suggestion from suits123 - see how it works on some arm hair. If it doesn't whip right through them, let me know and I'll give it a touch-up for you. It *should* be ok, but I wouldn't mind eliminating the edge as a possible variable in this...

And if it does its job and deals with arm hair easily, then you will have your first badge of honing honour: a mild case of honing mange.

Anyway, once we've eliminated the edge as a possible culprit, keep focusing on angles and stretching, and it will all start coming together.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

That's good - it sounds like things are going in the right direction, at least on the irritation front. Now we just need to get the thing shaving properly.

Good suggestion from suits123 - see how it works on some arm hair. If it doesn't whip right through them, let me know and I'll give it a touch-up for you. It *should* be ok, but I wouldn't mind eliminating the edge as a possible variable in this...

And if it does its job and deals with arm hair easily, then you will have your first badge of honing honour: a mild case of honing mange.

Anyway, once we've eliminated the edge as a possible culprit, keep focusing on angles and stretching, and it will all start coming together.

Well, it doesn't whip through them, it cuts them, but feels like it's pulling a little. I'm certainly not trying to blame your honing, it's more likely that it's just my inexperience.

Well, give it a few more tries and if it doesn't get better soon, let me know and I'll be happy to give it a touch-up.

I would describe myself as an advanced amateur when it comes to honing, and certainly not a pro. So don't worry - I didn't think you were trying to blame the razor, I'm just open to the possibility. I would just like to eliminate that variable if things don't improve.

Don't overlook stropping - poor or understropping is often the cause of additional pulling during a shave (try 25 laps material, 60 leather), though technique plays a very large part as well. You're only on shave two, so don't beat yourself up if it's not perfect. After a couple dozen shaves you'll start to feel more comfortable, I guarantee it.

I went to the post that's before this one (your first shave) to see if you said what sort of razor it is. I didn't see it mentioned. The reason I mention this is that my first razor was a full hollow 5/8, and I loved the SOUND it made as I shaved. The reason I mention this, is that it should not feel like it's pulling the hairs out, but the SOUND of a razor cutting can be quite indicative of its performance. With a full hollow, you also get some tactile response, that is, you can FEEL it cutting (not pulling, cutting).

I don't want to be an 'enabler', but how many razors have you? You 'need' at least three. Well, you don't but in the beginning you do. This allows for a comparison of edges. It also allows you to get in to honing your own keeping some sort of 'benchmark' or 'standard' razor to compare your attempts against.

Now that I've been shaving with a straight for about two years, and honed my own razors all the time, I know what I like and what feels good to me, so I could live with just one razor if I HAD to. But I think for a beginner, a few razors allows for that comparison of edges; that discernment.

Like Ryan said, it'll take some time, about two to three months before you can say you know what you're doing (in my experience).

Main points might be summarised as:

Good beard prep. Pamper yourself. Make a good fluffy lather with a good quality cream or soap. Choose a cream or soap that's REALLY easy to lather; Musgo Real and Body Shop creams almost lather themselves.

Angle. 30 degrees as stated. I use a much steeper angle on jawline. But basically it's 30 degrees.

Lightness of touch. No need to press at all. Don't worry if your first few shaves aren't ridiculously close and smooth. That's like beating yourself up because walking up to a piano in the music store and tinkering with the keys doesn't sound like Beethoven.

Concentrate on your 'now I feel badass statement' (your previous post). The absolute unadulterated coolness of the act is the fun thing. I don';t think there's a forum where guys take photos of their shampoo and say "I had a really cool shampooing of the hair today, it was zen like, I hope you like this photo of my new shampoo". Of course you want a good result with the shave, but the coolness aspect is, as you say, badass.

Carl

Originally Posted by pitrik

Well, it doesn't whip through them, it cuts them, but feels like it's pulling a little. I'm certainly not trying to blame your honing, it's more likely that it's just my inexperience.

Try it again (arm hair test) after 30 canvas and 60 leather laps stropping. Make sure when you strop you take your time and let the razor and strop do all the work. Do not put any pressure other than keep it in the strop. Then only use pressure to glide it across. Not down on the strop. Keep the stop taught not tight. And you may get the amazing edge back.

You may already be doing it right but I know the biggest obstacle for me what thinking stropping is way to easy to screw up. And all the while I was doing more hurt than help to my razors

It gets better from here!