Thread: Hey all

Been using a DE for a couple years and finally worked my way over to a Straight Razor. Got it back from Lynn last week and have begun my long process of figuring out how to use it. I figured it would be a little easier than it was but I will say my first shave left me feeling like I was going to look like Edward scissor hands after a few tries. It got a little bloody. I took the week off to heal and did my next attempt today. No blood but a poor experience. Figured I needed to come back and review the forums to find where I am going wrong. First check leads me to think I am applying too much pressure still as I am having extreme amounts of pulling and discomfort. Will continue to read and to improve.

Anyways Im sure ill be around and bugging people.

With a known sharp razor, you shouldn't be cutting yourself. Just go on the sides first, both hands, until you get that. Then expand a little each time from there. Hold the razor loosely, not firm, so that you can't bear down on it adding pressure. The razor should do all the work with no pressure. Just go slow, slow and slow and you'll get it. Use both hands now while you're first learning. The off-hand will learn just fine.

Yeah the first shave was just one I should not have done. Slightly rushed, rather tired, but I was eager to give a try. Had two cases where the blade skipped and landed poorly. Purely bad technique on my part. That sucker is sharp. Now I am taking the proper advice and starting with big areas and leaving chin and lip for later. Just frustrating so far how much rougher the shave is with the straight vs my feathers when i swap. Again I know its all technique.

One thing ive noticed that I didnt thinkn about when I bought the blade was how heavy the scale was on this. It is steel scale, Seems like a poor choice as it adds more weight to balance the blade. Thinking bout rescaling but in the mean time gonna grab a sight unseen blade deal for a cheap second blade to compare to. I can see me buying many blades over time.

Hey, FO. Welcome

I'm called pinklather 'cause of how 'colorful' my first shave was. You were smart to give the face some healing time. Another tip for future nicks: neosporin seems to help speed the healing (this was from one of Lynn's earlier posts). And *don't* shave over a nick until its healed - or it won't heal. If it helps, find the nicke w/ your finger & wipe off the lather over the nick so you can see where not to shave. If you need to replace any lather - do so. Just leave the nick exposed so it can be left alone to heal.

The honorable JBT tells ya right about absence of pressure. 'Coming from Lynn, its sharp. But if you're like me - it might not stay sharp long - I was horrible at stropping. I dulled my edges. You might find this one helpful on stropping.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html Should you find you need the edge dressed up a bit, happy to help.

If at all possible - notice if there are any experienced members in your area and see if you can get together with them. Watch them strop, Feel the tension on the strop. Watch them shave, then have them watch you. It can really speed up the learning curve.

Most likely, the best shaves of your life are very near. Enjoy the learning.

Yeah im just outside Orlando so sure there are folks around just havent taken a look yet. Id say I think I am ok at stropping, but without having something in person to compare to who knows. I know the blade shaves just fine, I was able to shave hair on hands just fine. Just tricker for me on more sensitive skin with thicker hair, im sure it is me applying too much pressure. I dont get to practice a ton because I travel all the time and dont check my bags so cant take with me. But i will get it. Thanks for the links.