Thread: I have no experience with straight razors. Need help.

This is the introduction place so maybe my future issues shoule be placed in other threads. I think this will be my last question in this thread. My future questions can probably be placed in a more specific thread.

Anyway, I sharpened my Boker razor best as I could and am very happy with my results. I don't know if it is "shave ready" though. Actually, I think I know it IS NOT shave ready. I was waiting to try my first shave until I had a shave ready razor and the proper soap. Then impatience kicked in. I used regular shaving cream and shaved both cheeks a couple of nights ago. I was very happy with the results but still feel I need to KNOW I have a properly honed razor as well as use the proper soap. I believe this because of all the experienced folks here who have repeatedly said so. Plus it just makes sense. So I applied the shaving cream and shaved my cheeks. Then I washed off what was left of the shaving cream. I was happy to find not even one red spot on the towel. Now though my cheeks feel like I rubbed them lightly with some fine grit sandpaper. 220 to 400 grit or similar. No cuts or gashes, just a sort of raw feeling. My wife said my skin looked a little irritated. So why is this??? I have figured improper soap, razor not honed properly, technique when stroking my face and/or not doing any post shave things. Maybe all of the above. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I'm at a financial stand still at the moment as far as this hobby goes. I want Lynn's DVD, to get my razor honed, buy a strop, etc. but this past week my wife had a toothach that just about finished her. I can tell when she is whining and when she is really hurting from things. This time she has really been hurting. In addition to a tooth problem it had gotten infected and it spread all over. Anyway we had to get some emergency dental work done for her. I tried to explain to her that if we spent the money to get her mouth fixed I would have to postpone spending money on my new hobby. Of course she said "no, I'd much rather suffer and not be able to eat or sleep. You need to get some shaving soap and a strop and all that stuff. ISN'T SHE SWEET! But since I'm so unselfish I said "well, maybe I could wait a little while. Let's take care of getting you out of pain and getting your tooth fixed". See what a great guy I am? Seriously, after two trips to the ER and a dental visit she's getting better. A shot of antibiotics and LOTS of pills and she's feeling better and on her way back to a normal life. I can't think of anything worse than teeth problems.

Even with the financial tradgedy I did order an 8k Shapton glass bench stone. I won't get it for about a month if you can believe the estimated delivery dates. It's coming from Japan. I've seen shipping fast or terribly slow in these situations.

About posting from now on in different threads concerning my learning curve I am also thinking a single-thread diary (so to speak) might be helpful to other new people in the future. It would show the history of a newbie needing and getting advise on subjects that are probably common for just about every new guy. What do you guys think?

Jack

Your face was irritated due to one , all, or a combination of the things you mentioned. The hard part is to figure out which and we all go through that. Sorry, really can't be more specific.

Bob

Regarding your first shave with your Boker, I think you nailed the causes for the skin irritation. A properly honed blade, proper angle and proper pressure are all critical factors. This forum is known for the warmth of its members and I'd venture to guess you will receive offers for honing services, free of charge (except for shipping costs of course). Heck, I am willing to help you with that if necessary.

Originally Posted by jackknifeh

Then impatience kicked in.

It would show the history of a newbie needing and getting advise on subjects that are probably common for just about every new guy. What do you guys think?

This is where your problem is. and you are very correct that it is a common problem, we try and try to explain it to every new guy,,, but

Originally Posted by gssixgun

This is where your problem is. and you are very correct that it is a common problem, we try and try to explain it to every new guy,,, but

What are you saying? Are you suggesting I don't listen to good advise even when I know it's good advise? You may be on to something. I'm going to tell myself I intended to get bad results. This way I would appreciate the good shave even more. Or maybe I was just in a hurry as usual.

Jack

Jack

Just a couple of things to maybe note. Even if you wait till your shave ready razor and good soap arrive there is nothing to say you won't get irritated skin then too. If you have been using canned foam shaving cream all along there is no guarantee that you will get a good lather first go. There is no guarantee that if you strop your shave ready razor you won't degrade the edge as you have not stropped before. You are also just at the start of learning the technique to properly shave with a straight. All of those things may mean you might get irritated skin still.

I am only saying that because I started with a shave ready razor but did not know how to strop properly and my shaving technique was pretty shaky too. It did help a little bit that I had been using soap and a brush for years but I still managed to irritate my skin. Don't be disappointed if you don't get first class results immediately, the learning curve can be steep. Not trying to be a kill joy and wreck your enthusiasm.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I appreciate that. I'll try to stay motivated. Hopefully my face won't get too scarred. This time I knew my face felt tender but after this first shave I was in Wal Mart and a little boy sait to his mother "Mommy, what's wrong with that man's face?" Just kidding. Little kids always say that about my face.

Jack

Originally Posted by BobH

Jack

Just a couple of things to maybe note. Even if you wait till your shave ready razor and good soap arrive there is nothing to say you won't get irritated skin then too. If you have been using canned foam shaving cream all along there is no guarantee that you will get a good lather first go. There is no guarantee that if you strop your shave ready razor you won't degrade the edge as you have not stropped before. You are also just at the start of learning the technique to properly shave with a straight. All of those things may mean you might get irritated skin still.

I am only saying that because I started with a shave ready razor but did not know how to strop properly and my shaving technique was pretty shaky too. It did help a little bit that I had been using soap and a brush for years but I still managed to irritate my skin. Don't be disappointed if you don't get first class results immediately, the learning curve can be steep. Not trying to be a kill joy and wreck your enthusiasm.

Bob

I just got these soaps from a forum friend on a knife forum I've been on for a few years. I can't get over the generosity. I have planned on using a coffee cup to get a good lather until I decide if I want a nicer one. I have a brush (cheap) on the way and then I guess I'm set as far as a starting place. I want to try the soap tonight so I may try using a wash cloth instead of a brush to get a lather going. Wish me luck. I guess there's no need to even try to fight my impatience.



I still want to send my razor to get it honed by someone who knows what they are doing but I'm getting it sharper and sharper using my stones and strops. I don't know how to explain how sharp or dull an edge is when typing. All I can say is my razor is usable so far but am looking forward getting a shave ready razor back from a pro when it's easier.

I would like to thank everyone for the help they have given me. I don't like to be a bother but I'm sure my questions haven't stopped. I just don't know what else to ask right now.

Jack

Hey Jack, take a pause and draw a breath. You have some very good soap there and when your brush comes in you can practice lathering in earnest. Get a good lather going and have a go to see if a proper soap makes a difference. Have fun.

Bob

Ok Bob. I took a pause and am waiting for the brush. I'm also going to write down the date and time to document me taking good advice. This is not one of my strong suites.

Jack