Thread: Results.........

Originally Posted by Michael70

I think I have been too shallow of an angle when shaving. I am not at a 30 degree or near. I know some said two spine widths approximate. I need to pay more attention to that. A learning process no doubt.......also tried a new soap today and have some MWF on the way since it got great feedback on this forum.

The journey continues. I also need to go to the next area meet here in NC to have some of the old pros evaluate my razor to see if it is truly in the area it should be as well. I need practice with the strop stroke as well!!!! That will come to muscle memory one day I am sure. Right now I feel like a drunk chimp trying to properly flip the blade by finger rotation. Just not natural right now.

So the student will continue to learn or die trying

Lets not carried away. This is a hobby and not a matter of life and death.

Take it slow and do not attempt any shave strokes you are not confident to try.

Hey, you got the rest of your days to figure out the beauty of a straight razor and its applications.

Enjoy yourself.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Lets not carried away. This is a hobby and not a matter of life and death.

Take it slow and do not attempt any shave strokes you are not confident to try.

Hey, you got the rest of your days to figure out the beauty of a straight razor and its applications.

Enjoy yourself.

LOL.....not literally but a figure of speech for sure. I do think the cold water rinse of the blade between strokes to be to my liking for sure.....or let me say my face. The cold seems to be a bit more refreshing.

I promise not to be found dead in my bathroom with str8-razor in hand with a dumbfounded look on my face and a note stating "Give me a close shave or give me death!"

Originally Posted by Michael70

LOL.....not literally but a figure of speech for sure. I do think the cold water rinse of the blade between strokes to be to my liking for sure.....or let me say my face. The cold seems to be a bit more refreshing.

I promise not to be found dead in my bathroom with str8-razor in hand with a dumbfounded look on my face and a note stating "Give me a close shave or give me death!"

As RezDog points out, "shave the lather", not your face, couple that with proper stretching, if you haven't already, take a look at the various ways people are stretching with the various passes, and it will come.

My two cents, get a good three or four day growth going, and do a single WTG pass shaving just the lather and stretching, rinse, and check out what they blade has done with the one pass. Rinse, and then do your normal shave routine, the first pass should help you identify the areas on your face that you may need to make some adjustments to.

I think that you have had some great advice so far.
I was told that skin can take a while to get used to straights due to the exfoliation factor, i am undecided on whether there is any truth to it as so many other variables come into play during the early days.
I have tried pre shave oil once or twice and quite disliked it, i did used to use vitamin e cream as a pre and post shave which worked quite well (iit is supposed to have healing properties).
I agree that your lather could be drying out, i would consider lathering your face and then re lathering sections as you shave them, leave the original lather on, and use a wetter lather over the top, i have started lathering twice and I think it makes a difference i lather then get my razor out etc and re lather just before I shave.

**Haven't read previous posts**

An alum block will give great feedback post shave...if you feel nothing, then it was a great shave.

If certain areas of your face start to 'sing'...note those areas for your next shave and note your technique.

Originally Posted by yardie

**Haven't read previous posts**

An alum block will give great feedback post shave...if you feel nothing, then it was a great shave.

If certain areas of your face start to 'sing'...note those areas for your next shave and note your technique.

Never heard of that....thanks for the advice.

You mention you have a "real badger" brush. What grade? Black? Pure? Best? Finest? Silvertip?
If you are using a Black Badger or Pure Badger grade, and you face lather, the irritation could very well be coming from a scritchy badger brush, not the razor. MHO.

Where are you in NC?

Originally Posted by Michael70

I think I have been too shallow of an angle when shaving. I am not at a 30 degree or near. I know some said two spine widths approximate. I need to pay more attention to that. A learning process no doubt.......also tried a new soap today and have some MWF on the way since it got great feedback on this forum.

The journey continues. I also need to go to the next area meet here in NC to have some of the old pros evaluate my razor to see if it is truly in the area it should be as well. I need practice with the strop stroke as well!!!! That will come to muscle memory one day I am sure. Right now I feel like a drunk chimp trying to properly flip the blade by finger rotation. Just not natural right now.

So the student will continue to learn or die trying

Hello harold......I am in the Greensboro area.

Michael there is a group that meets regularly in the Triangle area. I haven't made it yet, but would like to. I am a VERY new hand at honing (one razor).