Thread: First shave was awesome!

Hi all! I've been lurking in this forum gathering info and enjoying your discussions for quite some time now. Tonight was my first shave with a straight, and it was great! So I wanted to join and post a big "Thank You!" to all of you because your teachings, information, and discussions are what made the experience smooth and enjoyable.

I have always been a "wet shaver" of sorts. When I first started shaving, I used the latest cartridges and goop. Not all that long ago, I discovered that there was higher end products and better techniques. I have always been interested in Straights, but didn't realize what an active community there was for this until recently. I was excited to see it wasn't a dead art!

So I bought myself a Dovo Best Quality full hollow 6/8 from SRD as well as a 3 inch SRD strop. While I have a few soaps and brushes to choose from, I went with my AoS pre oil, soap and pure badger. I was SO nervous. I did the cheek to top of jawline as is suggested to start. After a few strokes, I found the angle and it was so smooth. I got daring and did neck and above the lip. Not a single nick! I have to go xtg and at, as my facial hair decided to grow in crazy directions, so I finished with my DE. I'm looking forward to gaining confidence and technique. I have so much left to learn. And while I know it will take time and patience, I am very excited!

Again, thanks to all of you!

Ed

Congrats on the first shave. Cleaning up with a DE is always a good option when learning. The shaves will continue to get better as time goes on. Enjoy the journey.

Sounds like a nice start. I'm envious.

I know it was as much luck as it was all the time spent on careful research.

I think a big help was the blade. I've read a lot of people whose difficult starts seemed related to the blade edge. While there were certainly lower priced options, I wanted my first razor to come from SRD so I had a reference point of edge quality. And I certainly wasn't disappointed.

This one went well, but I am very worried about my stropping technique. I've watched all the videos, but there are so many variables. I am hoping to maintain the edge for a few weeks of practice before I have to send back to be re honed! But that remains to be seen.

What do you think of the AoS pre-oil. The hair sticks to my blade when I use that oil. Do you find that as well?

Yeah! I actually find that it makes everything stick in my sink too....hairs and lather. I have used the AoS soap without the oil and there was less stickiness, so it is definetly the oil.

I do find that when I use the oil I am far less likely to get any signs of skin irritation. Of course that was with cartridges and DE. But I figured for my first straight shave, that extra layer of protection couldn't hurt!

I have never tried any other pre shave oil. The only reason I ever used the AoS was that it came in a kit. I don't get amuch irritation when I use proraso either, but I hate the smell.