Thread: First Straight Razor Shave Tonight!

Hi Everyone,

I've been thinking about straight razor shaving for twenty years. I'm sorry I waited so long!
Tonight just had my first straight razor shave!! Incredible! I was going to do Lynn's Baby steps method and just do the cheeks but i was having so much fun I just kept going. Only a couple of nicks (slices actually) from not being careful, but they didn't even bleed after the final rinse. I definately don't have the whole "how to hold the razor" technique down at all and couldn't get a stubborn spot on my neck. But I did get a really close shave, with only a tiny bit of razor burn! I'm pretty stoked about that!

I used a vintage Hayne from Soligen recently sharpend by Straight Razor Designs. The razor didn't pass the hanging hair test... but shaved really well and smoothly. It pulled a bit aginst the grain, but I'm sure that was my technique.

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Welcome to SRP, and grats on taking the plunge! Seems you are doing really well - remember that it will only get better. It's good that you took the time to check out some info before starting, info is a safe path to a smooth shave.
Looking forward to your posts, and have fun.

Well, that's about as good as it gets for a first shave. Congratulation! It does help to start with a blade you know is sharp.

Where is Bekeley?

Originally Posted by ace

Well, that's about as good as it gets for a first shave. Congratulation! It does help to start with a blade you know is sharp.

Where is Bekeley?

Thanks!

Berkeley is directly east across the bay from San Francisco, CA.

Originally Posted by Archadvance

Thanks!

Berkeley is directly east across the bay from San Francisco, CA.

Got it! The spelling through me off. Been there, beautiful place.

Congrats on the shave. I'm waiting for my stuff and am eager to try. I plan to do the baby step program and give it a while. Nice to hear that you didn't bleed that much!.Keep at it!

Originally Posted by gllh17

Congrats on the shave. I'm waiting for my stuff and am eager to try. I plan to do the baby step program and give it a while. Nice to hear that you didn't bleed that much!.Keep at it!

Be sure to have your stuff professionally honed. I don't think my first straight razor shave would have been nearly as successful if I had trusted the " shave ready" claim from the person I bought my other razor from. It's not anywhere near as sharp.

Thanks for the advise. I had planned to get a setup from SRD with the professional hone. I decided to go another route before I order a new honed one from SRD. I ordered the Poor Man's Strop with shave ready razor from Whipped Dog. Larry is very easy to deal and came highly recommended. I just placed my order yesterday.

Eventually, I'd like to add a 3" premium strop and razor from SRD. I got some soap, nick stick, and Van Der Hagen pure badger brush. If things go well, I'll probably add another brush also.

Originally Posted by Archadvance

... The razor didn't pass the hanging hair test... but shaved really well and smoothly. It pulled a bit aginst the grain, but I'm sure that was my technique. ...

Not passing the HHT probably means nothing as many will tell you. Even saying that it pulled against the grain isn't necessarily a problem. It might or might not be. If you got a good shave without razor burn, then a modest amount of pulling ATG probably wasn't a problem.

Welcome to SRP!