Thread: First Straight Shave (Can't stop smiling)

Hello everyone First i would like to say i really enjoy this site and it's forum. It is fun to read diffrent storys, and learn about everything involving straight razor.

So i did run to the mail office and got my package with my new TI razor, and some diffrent products.
Jumped in the shower, and had chosen the products for this day.
I have straight shaved once before and it was with the cheap wilkinson package, and like people say (it's garbage)
I was so exited i forgot to use the proraso pre shave oil, and i did not strop the razor before shaving.
So i used Fitjar's Neroli shaving soap, and was kind of sceptic because I have read that some people have problem with building lather with it. Filled the bowl with warm water, wile i did have the brush under the warm spring water. Poured the water out of the bowl, and started swirling my Frank shaving badger brush around in the soap. It builded lather at once, and didnt take long before it was thick and ready to apply on my face.

Only seen a few videos about how to shave, and read a litle. But i like to find out of things myself. I at once felt that the razor was not perfectly honed and sharp enough. It pulled a little, but did cut the beard fairly easy, so i continued. I have read that you should not shave your hole face the first time, but i could not resist. Did get one little nick from the hole shave, no blood so it was fairly small. I did absolutly not shave perfect, and i used about 30 min on the hole prosses. But I still enjoyed the shave so much, and did smile for myself all the time. I did really struggle with my left side of the neck since my beard grow sideways, and could not find a good way to hold the straight razor and shave WTG.
I used my right hand trough the hole shave, because that felt normal for me. Will start to try using my left hand, and practice with it the next days.

Did use Fitjar Neroli aftershave balm, mild good scent of it and my skin felt good after using it. I also have bought a Pinaud Clubman aftershave, will save that for next time.

I know it is a lot of practice to get a good shave and learning all of the aspects around straight shaving. And like i said, i did not feel that the shave went perfect, not even good. But i got trough the hole shave, with 1 litle nick. And the feeling i had after the shave was just amazing, i would say it is one of my best mornings in a long time
Can't wait to learn more about straight razors, shaving technique and everything else.

Got the filly strop, so will use it before my next shave.

One question, should i get the razor honed? or should i try using the 0.5µ chromium oxide side of the strop to sharpen the edge?


Christian (Norway, Østfold)

That's excellent, good to hear. The first time I used a straight I also used only my right hand, but the second day I was determined to not get in that habit (not that it matters if you're good only using your dominant hand).
I was glad I did cause being able to use both hands equally as well sure give you more options on attacking from different places.
As far as the hone, I also found that my new razor needed to be touched up (due to my stropping technique, no doubt). I happened to have hones and a 12k with crox seemed to do the trick.

Congrats on the shave. They will keep getting better with time. Enjoy..

One more congrats on your first shave. I recently had my first shave; the feeling that you're feeling is still fresh, so I can totally empathize. Keep learning and trying new things to see what works. You'll have it in time.

Congratulations! I'm on shave #4 and getting better each time. Same with the stropping. I'm going to leave honing to the pros for a while. All the videos, especially those on the DVD helped me tremendously. I'm a seriously right-handed person, but am determined to get the left hand trained to shave my left cheek, sloooowly.

May each new shave show you an additional glimpse into the potential zen-level shaves you will get with more practice.

Gratulerer med barbering! Jeg bor også i norge, i rogaland. Jeg har brukte en barberkniv i circa sju månat, siden nytt året. Jeg finne at det føles mer vanskelig å barbere med den venstre hånden, men jeg har vanligvis næermerer barbering med den.

Sorry for my awful norwegian, I'm english but I've been here for nearly four years. If you decide to get it honed you should look out for Birnando in the classifieds. He's also in Norway and did an awesome job with mine.

Thank you all, i have found someone who lives close to here that can help me with honing. Think i will try getting i honed so i can feel the differance, and know how a new honed razor feels.
Yea i don't think i will just stick to my right hand for shaving, because some angles got a bit hard to shave with the right hand. But i will practice first without shaving to get the feel how to control the left hand (if that makes any sense)

Your Norwegian is quite good, no problem to understand it
Yes i have seen that birnando can hone razors, and he pointed out that there was many more around the Oslo area that also hones razors. But i want to be around and see how the prosess works, so i can learn it myself. Much easier to learn honing if you see it close up and can ask questions at the same time

Thinking of investing in the 4000/8000 Norton, is that a wise choice when I am so new to straight razors?

Originally Posted by Chrandal

Thinking of investing in the 4000/8000 Norton, is that a wise choice when I am so new to straight razors?

yeah, most people say that you should master the 4/8 combo before you get any other stones. some will also say to master shaving before learning to hone.

Welcome and congrats. Sounds like you did it up right. As for the honing question. Did the razor come to you shave ready? If not then definitely get it properly honed. If you do get it honed don't strop it before your first shave.