Thread: 4th Str8 Razor Shave or > Like a Virgin .. oh .. Cut for the Very First Time!

We'll I've managed to make it through 3 previous shaves without a major incident (my thumb is healing nicely thank you) . With the time for a fourth fast approaching I decided to change things up a bit. Having just received in the mail a new Dovo Master 6/8 shave ready I got set for a new experience.
As always first and most important is the shave preparation . OK all ready now let's do this . The new one definitely handles differently than my first and only other razor. It took a little getting used to so consequently I found myself going a little slower and more aware of my technique. Probably a good thing. I'm still too inexperienced to feel the differences between a 6/8 full hollow and a 7/8 half hollow but this one felt very smooth.

Results: Smooth shave, no missed spots, no nicks, no irritation, no brainer .

I know my time is coming but until then

Congratulations, Concentration is key to great shaves.

Jonathan

Like you, I changed my razor on my 4th shave. Also like you, I got a very good shave. It was probably a combination of being r-e-a-l-l-y vigilant with the new blade and this particular blade feeling a bit more comfortable in my hand. I went from an Extra Hollow Ground to a frameback, both 6/8".

I would be a much longer time before I got to the real joy. I made the gross error of trying to learn to hone at the same time I learned the shave. I do remember getting my first well homed blade, It changed my world. It was my first experience of an edge where the smoothness was as strong as the sharpness. Now, the shave was pleasurable instead of a tense challenge to keep all my flesh. This is the point all my excitement began. Experimenting with all kinds of stretches & strokes was now doable. It also was the point I spent alot of money on stones in pursuit of that mystical edge - the one that "seems to know the difference between stubble and flesh". Like countless enthusiasts before me - it became more clear that the magic wasn't in the holy grail of rocks, but the development of 'feel' in my hands with the tools. Its much less exciting, less instant, less sexy than buying the next silver bullet. Patience isn't fun or exciting. But in the mean time, I'm *loving* my edges and my shaves. Its very rare that I like the edges from a honemeister more than my own (can you say preferences Pink?). It does happen, and tends to send me back to the bench to find the defects in my bevels and strokes. So however you proceed or how your path turns, or however nuts you appear to others - You will enjoy your shaves and others won't. That still strikes me as huge - and gets to happen every freaking day. 'Here's to you having many many days where your shaves put a silly grin on your face.

Originally Posted by Raven312

Like you, I changed my razor on my 4th shave. Also like you, I got a very good shave. It was probably a combination of being r-e-a-l-l-y vigilant with the new blade and this particular blade feeling a bit more comfortable in my hand. I went from an Extra Hollow Ground to a frameback, both 6/8".

So Raven we're on a somewhat similar track. Nice to have company. I'm getting close to my 5th and now finding myself trying to decide which razor to use my first or this new interloper. Love this.

Originally Posted by pinklather

I would be a much longer time before I got to the real joy. I made the gross error of trying to learn to hone at the same time I learned the shave. I do remember getting my first well homed blade, It changed my world. It was my first experience of an edge where the smoothness was as strong as the sharpness. Now, the shave was pleasurable instead of a tense challenge to keep all my flesh. This is the point all my excitement began. Experimenting with all kinds of stretches & strokes was now doable. It also was the point I spent alot of money on stones in pursuit of that mystical edge - the one that "seems to know the difference between stubble and flesh". Like countless enthusiasts before me - it became more clear that the magic wasn't in the holy grail of rocks, but the development of 'feel' in my hands with the tools. Its much less exciting, less instant, less sexy than buying the next silver bullet. Patience isn't fun or exciting. But in the mean time, I'm *loving* my edges and my shaves. Its very rare that I like the edges from a honemeister more than my own (can you say preferences Pink?). It does happen, and tends to send me back to the bench to find the defects in my bevels and strokes. So however you proceed or how your path turns, or however nuts you appear to others - You will enjoy your shaves and others won't. That still strikes me as huge - and gets to happen every freaking day. 'Here's to you having many many days where your shaves put a silly grin on your face.

Pink, Thanks for your comments and more importantly insight. I consider myself very lucky at this point. It has to do with reading and heeding some of the great advice on this site. Especially on threads where someone new is having problems with their first attempts. The single piece of advice I gleaned and thankfully followed was getting a true "shave ready" razor for my first. This decision made everything else so much easier to deal with in an otherwise slightly stressful situation. It just eliminated one possible problem and allowed me to concentrate on initial prep & technique items. My success so far is truly a result of members like yourself and all the other senior members who take the time to guide us newbies to the right path. Thank you Pink et al. Your kindnesses have given me the gift of future shaving pleasures.

That's funny, my first 3 times I shaved with a Parker Shavette because it was cheap and gave me enough of an intro to straight razor shaving to know whether I like it or not. After those shaves I got rid of the Parker and contracted RAD.