Thread: First str8 shave today!

Originally Posted by Nhyrum

Well guys, did my first shave today with my newly acquired straight today!

I'm having a bit of trouble getting my chin and about a 1/8 inch strip of my side burn next to my ear. I think the side burn issue could be fixed by getting a touch closer to my ear(worried about cutting it off!) and the blade is slightly rounded at the tip, so maybe that's it?

Any who, figured I'd kind of introduce myself, now as an official str8 shaver.

Been using a safety razor for the last 6 years, since I was 20 (got in the game early) I've been wanting a straight for the past few years, but was a little afraid. After I got so I could get a good shave with the safety in a matter of minutes with the safety I felt I was ready for the step up.

Any tips on getting the chin area?

I'm jealous. My first straight shave was a bloodbath. Practice will eventually take care of the problem areas.

Welcome to the straights Nyhrum, it's a lot of fun. Initially keep your strokes short and light, the blade low and the lather wet. Don't hurry while your learning your face.

Cheers, Steve

Well I've done shave 3 and 4.

I'm getting better at getting even, and not missing spots.

I'm having trouble getting a really close shave. Could it be I'm not stretching enough? Or could it be the razor needs honing? It was bought from eBay, so I'm not terribly confident in the honing of it. I have been very gentle and using almost no pressure stroping, is it possible I rolled the edge? Will it come out by stroping on my balsa strop? Or even the "canvas"/poly webbing strop?

I do plan on sending it out for professional honing, but may do so after I get more used to shaving. I'd like to get used to having an extremely sharp object next to my face/juggular before I make it even sharper

Originally Posted by Nhyrum

Well I've done shave 3 and 4.

I'm getting better at getting even, and not missing spots.

I'm having trouble getting a really close shave. Could it be I'm not stretching enough? Or could it be the razor needs honing? It was bought from eBay, so I'm not terribly confident in the honing of it. I have been very gentle and using almost no pressure stroping, is it possible I rolled the edge? Will it come out by stroping on my balsa strop? Or even the "canvas"/poly webbing strop?

I do plan on sending it out for professional honing, but may do so after I get more used to shaving. I'd like to get used to having an extremely sharp object next to my face/juggular before I make it even sharper

If the razor is not tugging it's probably OK at a minimum, depending on who honed it.

You probably just need more practice to get a closer shave, including stretch, angle, etc. At 4 shaves in you haven't mastered the basics well enough yet but let me say you are doing very well sir!

You should not worry about 'making it sharper'. Sharper edges are generally smoother, require less pressure, and are safer.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Steve56

You should not worry about 'making it sharper'. Sharper edges are generally smoother, require less pressure, and are safer.

Cheers, Steve

Yeah, I was going to add a similar adage of a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp blade.

I do end up getting some tugging when I'm cleaning up, but not with the actual shave. The third, atg pass, does sting on my neck. Cheeks are OK. Haven't gone fully against the grain anywhere else.

If cleanup is tugging try splashing more water or some lather on the area first

Shave 5 today. Got much closer in the neck with 4 passes. Wtg, xtg, xtg again, but closer to atg, then atg.

Decided to pick up my DE and clean up my chin as I had already wiped down the str8. And wow. What a difference it made. I am now almost positive my razor needs honing. The DE was so buttery smooth, even dry.

I have another razor in the mail, maybe even at the house already, but since we've been traveling since Xmas, I haven't gotten it. I even was dumb and left my scuttle and brush at home so I've been face lathering with my hands.

As soon as we get home, I'll probably send both razors(using a full hollow now, waiting on an extra hollow) to be honed and go back to the DE and practice stretching.

P.s. how do you guys like the whole "straight shave journey" thing? I've seen a few that are hundreds of shaves in by now, but started like me? Would it be too obnoxious to have another? Or should I just carry on and kill the thread?

It's always good to hear someone's experience in their journey. So if you want to keep updating I know many will follow. And even help as you already know

Happy New Year

I think they're a good thing. It's interesting for us, and is a good tool for the new shaver.

Originally Posted by Steve56

Good job and welcome to straights! Go slow, re-lather if the lather dries and becomes tacky, use short strokes to begin with, keep the blade angle low and the pressure light. And get a good stretch.

Cheers, Steve

Congrats and do as Steve56 said its not a race its your face.