Thread: First time straight razor shave

I remember going to the barber shop (4-5 barbers) in the 60's as a kid on Saturdays with my dad and about every other guy got a straight razor shave with hot towel, hot lather and after shave. I remember watching those barbers (all Italians) strop their razors while the hot towels did their work. So about 3 years ago I finally asked an old barber who was getting ready to retire to give me a shave. The hot towels were great, but the shave wasn't. Wow, was I ever disappointed. I guess he was old, out of practice or whatever. Sort of gave up on the idea until about a month ago and started doing some research. I've been using shaving soap and brush for about 20 years, but never thought about using a straight razor. I thought they were inferior, little did I know. I had gone back to Trac II from a Mach 3 due to poor quality of shave, blade cost, short blade life and little control with multiblades. I was surprised to find SRP and that str8 razor shave was deemed the closet & best shave of any. Ordered new outfit from SRDesigns last week and arrive Monday. I was scared to put the Boker King Cutter to my face this morning, but tried right cheek WTG right hand and left cheek WTG left hand. Wow, no problems so far, but taking advice from beginners page and taking it slow. I was really surprised that I didn't cut myself and actually cut whiskers while getting the feel for the proper blade angle. I couldn't believe how sharp and thin the blade actually is. It was the first time I'd ever even had a straight razor in my hand. I plan to try the same tomorrow and learn as I go. Looking forward to the day I can do my whole face. I actually have been using tips from this site for a couple of weeks (like stretching my skin) while using a Trac II and never had a better shave with that type razor. Nobody really taught me how to shave as I recall. Dad said lather up out of the can and here's a Trac II razor and you just take off the lather. Wasn't much else said. Can't thank members enough for all the helpful advice, photos, comments, links and video clips on how to use a straight razor and all related equipment. I'm not sure I would have tried a straight razor without all this great information and community of support. Once I can do my whole face, I don't plan to ever use anything but a straight razor. I wish I'd started 35 years ago.

Welcome Lou glad you're enjoying it. Think of it as a hobby and not a chore and yes, go easy. You'll get better in time.

Congratulations on your recent success and welcome to SRP! It's a bit to learn but the satisfaction is more than worth the time and trouble, soon you will wonder why no one ever taught you to shave this way!

Hey Lou, congrats on finally getting on the right path! The first shave can be pretty scary but it gets easier. Because you got a well honed and quality razor, and a because you did your reading, you are off to a great start.

I only live about an hour away from you, so let me know if you'd ever like a honing lesson.

Originally Posted by LouG

I remember going to the barber shop (4-5 barbers) in the 60's as a kid on Saturdays with my dad and about every other guy got a straight razor shave with hot towel, hot lather and after shave. I remember watching those barbers (all Italians) strop their razors while the hot towels did their work. So about 3 years ago I finally asked an old barber who was getting ready to retire to give me a shave. The hot towels were great, but the shave wasn't. Wow, was I ever disappointed. .

I am probably near the same age as you and remember going with my dad and watching the old Barbers as well. I also remember being with my father and enjoying my first shave with a str8 at a Barber shop.
Since that time I have always looked for and enjoyed str8 shaves from Barbers. As time marched on Barbers became "hair stylists", the old guys retired and there were few places to get a good shave.

Now I able to do it myself. On occasion I still enjoy going and getting a shave at a barber just to sit and enjoy it.

Anyway, welcome and enjoy your new found obsession. And yes, it be comes an obsession!!

Welcome!

Glad you're enjoying the ride! Just take your time, develop at your own pace and keep enjoying it and you'll find the shaves just get better and better..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hello all and thanks for the encouragement. This morning I tried 2 passes on both cheeks. One WTG and the other ATG. That went so well I tried under my neck. Well that didn't go quite as well. No disasters or anything. One small nick that I thought was big, but turn out not to be bad at all. Got to really pay attention to what I'm doing until I get it all figured out. I also tried WTG under nose/above lip. Not bad, but need to work on that technique a bit as I wouldn't win any awards for form. I tried stropping yesterday and today and think I'm doing it right. Getting the feel for that also. I'm looking forward shaving tomorrow morning. Lou

Hey Lou. I can remember having my neck shaved as a kid in the 60's with a straight & it was never pleasant. Who'd a thunkit could be so good to DIY ?
Enjoy !

Well I tried shaving different parts of my face with st8 razor everyday this past week. I am improving, but also making some mistakes. I've watched the videos and now am trying to figure out my own techniques. I was having difficulty on which hand to use and also how to hold the razor. Again, I'm improving, but did nick myself pretty good a couple of times. Sure makes you respect that blade! I would recommend to others to follow the advice found on SRP and just do one part of your face and figure it out before you move onto the next part of your face. If you try to go too fast you'll pay the price.

Originally Posted by LouG

Well I tried shaving different parts of my face with st8 razor everyday this past week. I am improving, but also making some mistakes. I've watched the videos and now am trying to figure out my own techniques. I was having difficulty on which hand to use and also how to hold the razor. Again, I'm improving, but did nick myself pretty good a couple of times. Sure makes you respect that blade! I would recommend to others to follow the advice found on SRP and just do one part of your face and figure it out before you move onto the next part of your face. If you try to go too fast you'll pay the price.

Howdy lou,

Great to hear that your driving on with it, just ride through the mistakes, if you're like me you'll make many many more lol, but always remember every mistake is a little lesson that brings you ever closer to the nirvana of a great straight shave, and it is so worth it.

So accept the nicks, but don't fear the blade and you'll get there my good man.

Geek