Hello from NH

Hi!

I've been using a safety razor for about 3 years, and decided I wanted to take the plunge and go really old school with a straight razor. So, I asked for a razor and strop for XMAS, and my wife obliged by getting me a Dovo 5/8 suggested by SRP.

I did a first shave today, and although it took me 30 mins (I went really slow) it came out OK all things considered. The alum bar stung more than with the safety, so I know I had quite a bit of irritation. I did have one small cut on the left side (I tried using both hands), and a tiny nick. The straight is certainly less forgiving!

It was fun and challenging though. I've got lots to learn, no probably a ton of questions.

Unfortunately, I didn't read this forum, until afterwards, so I'll have to try a simpler single side, single pass as suggested, and then work to larger areas over time.

this is going to be great!

Good for you pcm :) welcome to srp and now enjoy your journey into straight shaving :)

Welcome pcm. You may want to work on angle and pressure. Sounds like your either doing to much scraping or pressing to hard. Just something to think about. I am sure you will find your way to a smooth comfortable shave in no time.

That first effort rates a high five. The straight provides the closest and most comfortable shaves possible.

I can identify with the post-shave comments you made, other than the fact you did a lot better than I did the first time out. Since you have already shaved your entire face with it, keep on doing it.

Your attitude is perfect. It's a learning experience, but also you want to enjoy the ride. When you master the beast it will be even more enjoyable.

I'm really, really glad I became a straight razor shaver.

@10Pups thanks! I'm pretty sure I didn't have a low enough angle. The real challenge was trying to do the left side, with my left hand. I'm a really dominant right handed, but I'll keep trying.

@CaliforniaCajun thanks for the encouraging words. I was like Home Alone when I used the alum. Ohhhhh! I thought there was quite a bit to learn with my safety razor, but there is even more with straights. I've got lots of reading to do!

@BlisterSteel Yes, I'm glad I found the forum. It is really turning up to be a wealth of info on straight shaving.

Welcome to SRP. As far as pressure goes, use as little as possible. Actually, if you feel any pressure from the blade on your skin it is too much. When you get the pressure right you can make as many passes you need too without discomfort. Give yourself plenty of time without distractions and you will be successful.

Good job. The first time I shaved with a straight razor, it took me about 45 minutes. As far as your irritation, probably will improve with technique. I am also assuming that you had your razor professionally honed before you used it? Good luck and smooth shaves to you.


Mike

Welcome aboard. I'm sure you will find everything to make your journey incredible.

Hi & welcome to SRP. 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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/conte...ber-2014-1750/
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...sked_Questions
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/membe...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/membe...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/membe...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/membe..._Place_Library
Also here is Lynns bevel setting video & some of gssixguns honing video's:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gssixgun/videos
Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K taught by Lynn Abrams
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/membe...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

Well done & welcome!

Hi and welcome. I would second angle and pressure. Two of the most important pieces of the shave after a shave ready razor. Goo luck and happy shaving

@engine46 Yes, I got a Dovo from SRP (as a XMAS gift). Thanks for the links on stopping and honing. More to learn still.

Second shave went much better... Way less irritation, when I used the alum block after (my informal way of telling how well I did, in addition to smoothness). It seemed like the following helped quite a bit (all from advice here)...

- using more water with the TOBS cream.
- applying fresh lather to the quadrant that I was working on.
- keeping the spine about 2 widths away from my face.
- desperately trying for a very light touch.
- not going over areas too much, trying to get it BBS.

At a minimum, I've got to still work on...

- trying to figure how to position my hand, for certain areas, especially to do XTG (it's a lot easier to maneuver a DE).
- keeping the angle consistent over jawline/chin.
- making sure to pull skin tight.
- have the guts to go a bit faster than turtle pace (took me about 40 mins this time).

The lather came out much better and it felt like I got a slicker coating on my face (never realized how forgiving the safety razor was with some of this). Probably was starting to dry out.

I had periods of time, where, even on the first pass, the blade just seemed to slice right through the hair with little resistance. It was a bit surprising, given my first shave experience, and I thought that maybe the blade was gliding over the face and not cutting at all, but sure enough it was. I need to work on getting that feeling consistently.

There were other times, mostly on the first pass, where there was resistance and it was harder to move the blade along my face. Like it was having a hard time cutting the whiskers. Clearly, it's my technique. Lots of improvement to go there.

Thanks for the advice folks! It really is helping!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pcm

Second shave went much better... Way less irritation, when I used the alum block after (my informal way of telling how well I did, in addition to smoothness). It seemed like the following helped quite a bit (all from advice here)...

- using more water with the TOBS cream.
- applying fresh lather to the quadrant that I was working on.
- keeping the spine about 2 widths away from my face.
- desperately trying for a very light touch.
- not going over areas too much, trying to get it BBS.

At a minimum, I've got to still work on...

- trying to figure how to position my hand, for certain areas, especially to do XTG (it's a lot easier to maneuver a DE).
- keeping the angle consistent over jawline/chin.
- making sure to pull skin tight.
- have the guts to go a bit faster than turtle pace (took me about 40 mins this time).

The lather came out much better and it felt like I got a slicker coating on my face (never realized how forgiving the safety razor was with some of this). Probably was starting to dry out.

I had periods of time, where, even on the first pass, the blade just seemed to slice right through the hair with little resistance. It was a bit surprising, given my first shave experience, and I thought that maybe the blade was gliding over the face and not cutting at all, but sure enough it was. I need to work on getting that feeling consistently.

There were other times, mostly on the first pass, where there was resistance and it was harder to move the blade along my face. Like it was having a hard time cutting the whiskers. Clearly, it's my technique. Lots of improvement to go there.

Thanks for the advice folks! It really is helping!

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Just take your time PCM until you feel more comfortable with your shaves. Don't try to go faster because you think you are going too slow. I have to go slow at times & because my feet hurt due to my medical condition I still have to be patient with my shaves so that they come out good. I hate feeling stubble after a shave! Just take your time until the rest of your body just slowly follows the pace, allowing your shave to go well & you'll be ok!

Oh yeah, I don't want to rush things, but I do need to work on being more efficient at the process. 40-45 mins is quite long for me to do during the work days. Fortunately, I'm on vacation last week and this week, so I can spend all the time I need. Next week, I may have to do some with the straight and some with the safety razor, if I run short on time.

I find I'm doing a bit of "thinking" as well as shaving, trying to figure out which way to hold the blade for a certain pass or angle.

That's good. I can understand when you do't have much time on your hands & thinking it out can help also, so you're going about it right. I was only saying to be patient with it & understand what you may be doing right or wrong & changing anything wrong you might have been doing. Just trying to be of some help.
Steve

Hello, and welcome to the forum!!

@engine46 appreciate the support and suggestions!

You're so welcome anytime!

@engine46 Some of the links with ... aren't working. I found them via the FAQ page and Library pages:

Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library

Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Library

Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library

Local Help - Straight Razor Place Library

Lots to read! Thanks!

Thank you for letting me know. I have gone back to very many & fixed them all on the first page but didn't go any further than that because it can last forever re-doing all posts but hopefully the people that got their message when I first posted them , they were still working at the time.
Try this one:
Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: December 2014
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library
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:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library
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:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Library
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:
Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
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:
Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Library
Also here is Lynns bevel setting video & some of gssixguns honing video's:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gssixgun/videos
Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K taught by Lynn Abrams
Here is another good link to know:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html
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:
Local Help - Straight Razor Place Library
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!
I just went back over all these links & they are all working so far. I hope it continues to do so.
Steve

Lots of useful info there. I'm still going through some of the pages/videos, and will post some follow up questions in new threads.

Welcome to SRP ....from another NH guy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nessmuck

Welcome to SRP ....from another NH guy

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Hi! Do you know if they having any get togethers in the area? It would be great to talk to people in person about honing, shaving tips, etc.