Thread: Hello!

Hi all, new SR shaver from NY here. I previously used cartridge razors and a Braun Series 7 electric shaver.

I started shaving on a cartridge razor as a teen, and moved to an electric at 30 years old, because I was tired of the insane irritation after a 2-pass shaving session. The electric razor gave me less irritation, but not a baby smooth face.

I decided to move back to the multi-blade cartridges recently, and improved my routine enough to get a baby smooth shave with no irritation at all. Shaving became enjoyable for the first time in my life, and I decided to take my new-found appreciation to the next level. I received my first SR this past Saturday - a Thiers Issard 1937 Special Coiffeur, from SRD.com.

Being very eager to experience my first SR shave, I stropped the blade (my first strop, as well) and went for it. I took my time to get a 20-30 degree angle, and get comfortable with putting a SR to my face, but I quickly grew comfortable. With my new-found confidence, and against all advice, I decided to shave my entire face. It took me about an hour to do WTG and ATG passes, but it went better than I expected. Two light nicks! But MAN, my face was on fire!!! I never had such razor burn.

This morning, excited to continue learning the art of the SR shave, I went for another 2-pass shave. As I was stropping my blade, I lost focus on the finishing side and stopped briefly. Not realizing the position of the blade, I began to strop again. I had lead with the edge of my blade and made two small gouges in the leather. Not a good start to my morning. I had done 40-50 passes already so I stopped and decided to begin my shave. The shave was terrible. I couldn't get a close shave no matter what direction I ran the blade. I spent another hour shaving and had even worse irritation today. In the history of shaving, I have never had razor bumps - until today. I nicked myself just twice again, but it was nothing compared to the irritation. Boy, my face burned real bad!

Today, I learned three important lessons:

- Give 100% focus to what you're doing when that SR is in your hand.
- Go slow.
- Don't allow emotion to cloud your judgement, even with a simple shave routine. Follow the advice of experienced shavers, as you may quite possibly ruin your experience and your desire to master this skill.

That's my story so far.

I just want to add that, despite my previous disregard for advice, I have a ton respect for the members of this community. I deeply admire how welcoming, benevolent, and helpful many members are - which is rare on the Internet! I look forward to getting to know more of you, and one day helping fellow SR enthusiasts.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place, vasquja!
I felt like my face was on fire for my first straight razor shave. As your technique improves, getting angle right and using less pressure, the burning and shave bumps will improve.

I had this feeling my first few shaves. Then noticed that some lather had landed on my chest and as I had not shaved here razor burn it was not, allergic to the soap. Maybe test some sensitive soap. Does your face burn when you apply lather for second pass? This was a clue I should have picked up on sooner.

Welcome to the forum. I think there is not enough to be said about a good stretching technique. Your shaves will improve rather rapidly to start and you will see progress rather quickly.

Welcome to SRP!

When I first started shaving with a straight razor (not that long ago) I had the same experience my first few shaves. I would suffer through some terrible shaves. This was mostly due to trying to shave my whole face rather than doing just a small portion of my face at first. Then as my shaves got better, I progressed to shaving more of my face and so on with much better results. As mentioned above I learned how to properly stretch my skin which help the razor shave more smoothly. Again, as mentioned above, certain shave products burn like crazy on my skin. If you have a bad shave with a lot of razor burn let your face rest a couple days before going back to a straight razor. Go back to the cartridge blades for a bit. Also, I think most of us had problems stropping and ruined the edge on many straight razors when just starting out.

There is a giant learning curve when learning how to use a straight razor. You may find that the textbook angles which you hold your razor may not work for you either. I suppose I could go on and on about the possibilities of a bad shave!

Be patient and you will get it. Take breaks from it and take your time learning your technique.

Hi,
it is possible that you have dulled or at least done a disservice to your edge with your stropping. I believe SRD offers a free re hone, it may be worth looking into.
it is going to be in your interests to practice stropping technique using a butter knife or similar, pressure and the flip are what you want to nail at first.

With regards to the burn, to much angle.or pressure are likely candidates as are dry lather and poor stretching. It seems like a lot to learn at first, but you will get there, most people seem to need about 100 shaves to really get the technique down. And in fact I am still learning now.

I would recommend a vitamin e cream be used post shave - it will soothe and help your skin to heal.
take your time and you Will achieve good results, if your skin is sore/ tender take a day off, and let cuts heal before you re shave them.

Hi there and welcome to SRP and the world of shaving the right way. A couple of points, I feel you should have shaved with your razor straight out of the packaging as you got it from SRD it will have come shave ready.
+1 on you having dulled the edge, really easy to do when you're stropping even without having the blade the wrong way round when you're new.
Start WTG and just on your cheeks, yes I know the temptations there to press on and shave the whole face up down side ways all ways, I've been there and done that just take a deep breath and take it slower. You'll get it in the end and your face will thank you.
I'm guessing also that from cartridge shaving to SR you'll be using way too much pressure the blade should cut by just sliding it very gently down your face.
It WILL take time to learn this skill and you'll have to be patient, it's taken me about 12 months but this morning, using a blade I've restored and sharpened I shaved WTG, XTG and ATG after really good prep. BBS face and neck with absolutely no irritation or burn, best shave yet, problem now is that I feel that I'll have to go a couple of days before I need to shave again.
Finally I'd send your SR back for the free hone you get from SRD, in between times get another off the classified here or maybe one from Larry Anderson at Whipped Dog, he has some that aren't pretty but will shave well.
Everyone here recommends many hours of stropping practice, and yes now with the value of hindsight I'd totally agree, blunt razors and cut strops being testament to that advice.
If you need any more help along the way just ask, I've always got an answer from here that's helped me with problems

Hi & welcome to SRP. After reading your entry, I think your shave wasn't as good today because you screwed up stropping. Using the leading edge not only gouged your strop but dulled the blade at the same time. It will more than likely need to be honed again but maybe lightly, not major deal but then again it is possible you may have to have it honed just a little more than lightly but it isn't such a big deal. That is where you need a second straight also. You can fix your stop by using sandpaper on the bad spots or glue them back down with rubber cement. No big deal, i'm sure we all have done it. I have by accident. All it takes is something to sidetrack you.
You will love it here & there is plenty to learn as there is a wealth of information on here! Here is the first bit of information for you to know:
Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: December 2014
You will want to buy you a nice straight razor to begin with whether used or new. Beware of used ones not that they are bad but know what to look for like a lot of hone wear on the spine & edge or chips in the blade. Stay away from razors with rust on the cutting edge as that will only result in it chipping more metal off as it is honed. Here is also a list of straights to stay away from:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwik...azors_to_Avoid
Here is a list of good brands of razors you will want to own plus there are more than just these out there which you will find out from other members here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwik...t_Razor_Brands
If buying a new razor, I suggest you buy one from Straight Razor Designs - Gifts for Men | Straight Razors or SRD. The owner & founder of this forum is Lynn & he is also part owner of SRD. When you buy a straight razor from him, he will personally hone that razor before you get it plus you will get a certificate for another free honing for when that razor needs it which should be a few months. There will be vendors who will sell you a straight razor that is supposed to be shave ready but really won't be. You will most importantly need to know how to strop & you can learn in the Library or here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwik...azor_stropping
You will need to strop your razor before & after you shave. If you buy one from Lynn, chances are you won’t have to strop it before you use it the first time.
You will also need a shaving brush, a shaving mug & some shaving soap. Later it will also do you good to get a second straight razor so that when you send the first one out to be honed, you will have a backup to shave with.
Here is a link to the Library where you will find stropping in there & everything else you will need to know including how to hone:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwik..._Place_Library
Here is another good link to know:
Welcome to the Workshop: How do I / Where do I / What do I / answers are here
Should you have any questions, there are a lot of knowledgable members on here that will be more than happy to help you out. If you want to find someone in your area, you can look here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwik...php/Local_Help
And if you can't find anyone near you, just ask and someone that lives in your are & hopefully they will let you know how to meet up & you can get some one on one mentoring. There is a lot to do on here, just search everywhere on the forum & in the Library. You will spend hours on here & have fun doing it, so there you go, have at it!
Good luck & have fun!
Steve

When using a straight:

Applying more pressure does not equal closer shave -> stretching the skin does -> blade maintenance and beard prep does. Applying pressure is killer.

It took me forever to figure that out. Thank goodness when I was learning, my kids were infants. Their butt paste was the only thing that could calm the burn... oh the burn.

A light hold is key.

Going slow is great, but going slow on your face for an hour should be avoided. I love shaving, but were steel on my face for an hour, I am sure the burn would be killer.


Anyway - welcome to the forum!! Sounds like you are on the right track! It takes a while, but it'll be well worth it.