Thread: Finally got a half decent shave.

Last night was the night. I could just feel it. The wife was home so she could take care of any kids that might wake up (which they did) and I could concentrate on a shave. Once all but one kid was asleep I showered and prepared to shave. I would wet my face with the hottest water I could stand and and get everything out Wet face and strop. Wet face and make lather (2 or 3 times). So my face stayed fairly wet for several minutes. I then lathered one cheek, same side neck and chin and began to shave. At first nothing seemed to be happening and all of a sudden something clicked and whiskers started coming off. I then did a wet pass on the same side. WOW! What a difference! It was already as smooth if not smoother than my best with a cartridge blade and I hadn't even done my against the grain pass yet. After repeating the process on the other side and upper lip I went against the grain. It was amazing! My face hasn't been that smooth since I was like 12. I did get a good bit of irritation but a couple applications of Witch Hazel pretty much took care of that. I also got nicked up pretty good but a lot of that was from shaving the tops off of previous irritation. Not a big deal really. You guys had prepared me for that. I only had a few problem areas that I couldn't get as good as I wanted. My chin is the worst. I have a very prominent chin (and VERY tough whiskers there) so it's really hard to go against the grain on my chin. Next time I'm going to try some different angles on my chin and see if it works any better. I'm sold. The only time I will use anything else now is when I just don't have time for the str8.

Blood,

Congratulations! A couple of things you might try. Lather your entire face. The later should hold up for you, if not, you need to work on your lathering technique. Even if you have to re-lather, having the lather on your face will help soften the beard. Now, for passes...until your face get adjusted to your new shaving style, don't worry about against the grain passess, just go with the grain for one week, maybe two. I have learned that my best shaves come with 3 passes: with the grain, across the grain and then against the grain. With each pass you reduce the stubble down. You'll see improvement with each day.

RT

What an exhileration the first great shave can be. It's like a rite of manhood. Keep that beard prep strong like RT jusggests and stretch stretch stretch, and you'll have the technique growing which shaves close without nicks or rash. Well done laddy, well done.

X

Congratulations and welcome to a wonderful obsession. Now that you've experienced a good straight shave, there's no going back--it just keeps getting better .
Ed

Blood, glad to hear you're enjoying your new hobby. I can feel the addictive juices flowing too. I'm new to this as well and already invested $300 ($200 just on a razor and brush!) I just spoke to Tony about a paddle strop, hanging strop, and DOVO razor. At least I don't have to get "clearance" from a wife.........yet!

-Rob

Rob,

I started doing this partially because I thought 200 was too much to pay for a Braun Activator. I blew past that number in a flash.

RichZ in NYC

Congratulations! Just keep at it, the skill will develop over time.

Originally Posted by RichZ

Rob,

I started doing this partially because I thought 200 was too much to pay for a Braun Activator. I blew past that number in a flash.

RichZ in NYC

Yeah, me too. I started using DE's because of the "cost" of those M3 blades and the poor shaves I was getting. Now I've spent WAY more on DE's, Straights, Feather, Soaps/Creams, Brushes, Strops, Hones. Going and going....

Hey good job!! ive found that one complete pass with the grain,always keep lather going, re strop, make a pass against the grain, keep lather wet dont let it get dry. re strop if needed. and touch up. after you get a good edge on the hone, stropping is the key. the nics and redness will stop and youll just be shaving..its pretty cool!! ive found that you know when the honing is right, the blade becomes sticky sharp, once you have that, polishing on the strop is all you need.