first time, one nick, not so bad.

[HaroldBurnside]

Hi SRP people,

So I just finished my first straight razor shave, now that was different. I had flashes to all the barber shaves i've had over the years and how easy they made it look, don't even get me started on the YouTube ninjas. A few things surprised me though, I thought that the hair would cut easier for one, it seemed the blade would stick often or not cut the hair at all, and i would have to go over the same spots many times, (feeling that now). I have a brand new DOVO razor and when i spoke to the dealer, he told me he had honed it himself, I gave it a few passes on the leather strop, keeping it tight, and off i went.

Hot water soak, olive oil rub, a nice lather. Shave, shave, shave, lather, lather, lather, shave, shave, shave. Hey this is fun, hey i'm doing it, I bet my grampa did the same things, now just pinch my nose to get under there, SON OF A!. okay okay still attached, keep going.

This is something that I know will get better with practice and i intend on keeping it up, (it's really burning now) the research will continue, tips will be found, and eventually the over priced disposables will be no more.

Great site you guys have here, and I look forward to learning some valuable and much need tips.

till the next shave.

[bhinks]

Congrats and welcome to the group! Don't get discouraged at a few hiccups (not that it sounds like you are). I think for all of us newbies, that some discomfort and nicking are near-universal, but of course the ends is well-worth the means. I'm only a week or so into this adventure, and already I'm noticing a definite improvement (though far from perfection). Hang in there and enjoy the journey!

[janivar123]

Welcome to SRP
let your face heal between each try and it will improve over time
Try to skip the oil as this may (or may not) stop the lather from reaching the beard/stubble

[Shoki]

Sounds like an ambitious start! Keep it up and take it easy on your face until you get some practice in.

[HaroldBurnside]

hey guys, thanks for the "you can do it's" and the "take it easy's" i'll try both. Interesting about the olive oil, next time i'll try without and see what happens.

[Elendil]

Harold, Welcome to this great hobby/sport!

Now that you found SRP, I suggest you read the Wiki multiple times and seek out shaving videos by Lynn and Jockey's. Next seek the video by HiBud on stropping.

Understanding the light touch for shaving and stropping are my biggest challenge. No matter how much I read and watched the videos, I had to gain experience with trial and error to really understand this. Technique for shaving/stropping combined with the light touch (that seemed to take forever to learn) did wonders.

With the right touch and technique, with a sharp razor, you will cut hair in a single pass. Multiple passes results in irritation and can be caused by many variables - razor sharpness, technique, prep, etc.

If you run in to trouble, or have questions, continue to post. There is a wealth of knowledge here!

Most importantly, from one newb to another, have fun!