Thread: First shave, a couple of observations.

Well I finally dun it up. I used a newly honed (by Max, thanks a million) Red Imp #132 (which surely means its superior to razors with no number at all? ) and I have a few observations.
First, I have a rather narrow face and I found it EXTREMELY difficult to shave around my mustache nose area because, its just too difficult of an angle and the spike point did a nice job of cutting my nose as a result. Anyone's advice on this is extremely valuable. I watched a few good youtube videos but those gents have rather, erm, wider faces.
Second, the brush I bought (Calvin Klein kit, 5 USD at TJMaxx) is too difficult to hold, its a stainless steel cylinder with no curves and very painful to hold and use as well as slippery.
Third, I used van der hagen soap and it made a very pitiful amount of lather and I'm not sure why.
I soaked the brush in hot water, rubbed the cake rigorously and then scrubbed in a mug and at first it was too wet then it appeared to be a good consistency but it wouldnt make very much...Maybe I didnt soak the cake long enough.
Fourth, none of the videos I've watched address any "tugging" and it would seem that a well honed razor wouldnt tug. As this is newly honed, I blame my technique and ineexperience instead of the raor, which looks marvelous by the way, and perhaps I will more thoroughly wash my face next time.

Observations? It doesnt appear that I will worry about missing spots, just taking too much. Worst razor burn I've felt in my life, how should I avoid this? Again, I assume that a badger brush and a quality lather would lubricate more and burn less. I've never been in the habit of using aftershave but I think I'll need some super face mosterizing aloe vera stuff, the cologne spray may has well been acid.
I cant wait for the beard to grow in so I can try again and make it better.

Also, those with prominent adam's apples, how do you not cut yourself?

Thanks,
-alex.

p.s. as far as technique, it was WTG all the way, I hope to do XTG soon though. Neck techniques need a thorough explanation.

If you've got razor burn, you're using too much pressure or too steep of a cutting angle. Hold the spaine of the blade slightly coser to your face/skin next time, and try two WTG passes -- reduce the beard instad of trying to cut it down all at once. The tugging is most likely because of an incorrect cutting angle or lack of velocity in your stroke.

Practice is what it's going to take. The spike point should actually help you clean up around the nose. You don't have to use the entire edge either when shaving. Often, I will use just an inch of blade on either end to cut where I need it. Tilt the blade ever so slightly to reduce the amount of edge in contact. Stretching the skin adequately is important too.

The problems with your lather reads like you're not loading up enough of the soap into the brush. I wouldn't worry too much about soaking the puck either. Soak the brush, let it drain out (until it stops dripping, then start working it on the soap. When you think it's ready, keep going for another 30 seconds. Next, start latherin on your face, or finish lather development in a bowl.

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

First, I have a rather narrow face and I found it EXTREMELY difficult to shave around my mustache nose area because, its just too difficult of an angle and the spike point did a nice job of cutting my nose as a result. Anyone's advice on this is extremely valuable. I watched a few good youtube videos but those gents have rather, erm, wider faces.

Advice? Sure. Don't cut your nose! Seriously, it just takes practice, attention, and constant awareness awareness of where that spike point is going.

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

Second, the brush I bought (Calvin Klein kit, 5 USD at TJMaxx) is too difficult to hold, its a stainless steel cylinder with no curves and very painful to hold and use as well as slippery.

It sounds awful. This might be a case of you get what you pay for. I really like the Crabtree and Evelyn Best Badger brush for $35. I've heard good things about the Tweezerman brush for $15 but have never tried it. I used cheap boar brushes for at least 20 years and was shocked at how amazingly better the lather was when I finally got the C&E brush. You WILL get better shaves with better lather and you will get better lather with a brush that is at least halfway decent, but you don't have to spend $100 to get a good brush.

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

Third, I used van der hagen soap and it made a very pitiful amount of lather and I'm not sure why.
I soaked the brush in hot water, rubbed the cake rigorously and then scrubbed in a mug and at first it was too wet then it appeared to be a good consistency but it wouldnt make very much...Maybe I didnt soak the cake long enough.

If your brush sucks, it is much more difficult to make a decent lather. I don't soak my soap at all. I don't find it to be necessary for the way I make my lather. I soak my brush and then swirl that on the soap for a few seconds and then move the brush to another mug to build the lather. If you do find that your lather is too wet in the mug, you can solve that by finishing your lather building on your face as only a fraction of the wet lather will be transferred to your face

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

Fourth, none of the videos I've watched address any "tugging" and it would seem that a well honed razor wouldnt tug. As this is newly honed, I blame my technique and ineexperience instead of the raor, which looks marvelous by the way, and perhaps I will more thoroughly wash my face next time.

You are correct. A well honed razor won't tug. You did not mention stropping at all. Are you stropping? It's not exactly optional. You have to play with the angle of the razor relative to your face. Using a scything motion helps. Practice helps. Are you certain that the razor is sharp? Maybe you should buy a razor from me so that you have something to compare. In general, a tugging razor is not sharp so I'm not sure about yours.

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

Observations? It doesnt appear that I will worry about missing spots, just taking too much. Worst razor burn I've felt in my life, how should I avoid this? Again, I assume that a badger brush and a quality lather would lubricate more and burn less. I've never been in the habit of using aftershave but I think I'll need some super face mosterizing aloe vera stuff, the cologne spray may has well been acid.
I cant wait for the beard to grow in so I can try again and make it better.

While good lather is important, your description makes me doubt that lather is the entire problem. Try to use little if any pressure while you are shaving as pressure might be contributing to tha problem. I still suspect that the razor might not be sharp enough for your whiskers.

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

Also, those with prominent adam's apples, how do you not cut yourself?

Okay, that one's easy. Never shave over the adam's apple. Pull the skin over the adam's apple to one side and shave it. Then pull it to the other side and shave it. Between both of those, you should have the have the whole area covered, or rather, uncovered.
I hope this helps!

I will be getting a new brush and properly washing my face. I believe you are both right, I was trying to take too much with each pass. Thanks for the tips on the adams apple attack. I think I'll ease up on each pass. I stand by my theory that the blade is well honed and that it is my technique.
I'll strop more next time too.

Any thoughts on practicing on a creamed balloon while waiting for stubble to grow?

Originally Posted by stillinkansas

I will be getting a new brush and properly washing my face. I believe you are both right, I was trying to take too much with each pass. Thanks for the tips on the adams apple attack. I think I'll ease up on each pass. I stand by my theory that the blade is well honed and that it is my technique.
I'll strop more next time too.

Any thoughts on practicing on a creamed balloon while waiting for stubble to grow?

Don't touch a shave ready blade to anything but your face! After you strop your razor using good technique-DO NOT be tempted to do any sharpness tests.

Prep, Patience, PRACTICE. Prior to actually shaving, I think you should practice ways to stretch your skin while looking in the mirror. Your technique will improve with time. Provided your razor is kept shave ready-just take your time. There are no easy shortcuts.

Razor BURN shouldn't happen. Keep at it and most of all

Alex,

razor burn is always due to not enough prepping and lubrication, to much pressure, not using the right angle, going over the same spot over and over again, ATG and technique. Start with shorter strokes too. Take your time. Pull your skin taut enough...
It's definitely a learning curve and will take several tries.
My stepson had the exact same problem and he had just bought a new Dovo honed by Lynn. Tugging, blade jumping all over his beard, razor burn etc... Turned out to be his technique.
Another thing I also noticed was not using a steady hand. The excitement and lack of technique accounts for most of first time horror shaves.
That IMP 132 is an incredible little shaver and should serve you well.

Well I hope the beard will be ready for pruning tomorrow. I probably wont use the awful brush again but I think I'll use some fairly jazzy canned cream (I know I know, so sue me) but maybe I'll have to do the shower hot towel thing first and not use too much pressure.

max- thanks for the rehone offer, I hope I haven't damaged the blade edge too much, my stropping was very careful but I think I'll strop flat instead of hanging tomorrow, that will iron out any rotating strop problems. Anyone know how I can use a 8x loupe to inspect the blade? Its all I have but is there an abnormality that might be visible to my hawk eyes?

The razor burn is most definantly too much pressure, I got into a habit of reshaving the easy areas to prove to myself that I could Oh well, I'll probably splurge for the tweezerman. Anyone know where I can get Tabac for cheap? I found it for $13.10

MJJ Emporium

I suppose im not partial but amazonians seem to like it and I certainly want what all the cool kids have. Also, I've been looking around for a quick aggressive strop without buying pastes in time for tomorrow. I imagine that the newspaper would work but should i only use one sheet or whats the deal? I'll just look that up on the search thing later. Obviously I dont want to damage the blade any more with bad technique so it may be wise to keep away from that stuff for now. Just a leather flat stropping i think. I didnt know that the strop would rotate so much so I probably didnt allign the blade as best as I could. She did look all purdy and shiny, it still looks nice btw. Thanks again Max.

Lets hope I havent made a critical error on the blade...santa hasnt brought my coticule yet.

Thanks for the support, less pressure, more lubricant, like many other things in life. hehe!

Alex,

we are all here to help each other as much as we can. We all started somewhere. When I started str8 shaving there was no internet, no shaving community, nothing. Just me entering a shaving store, buying whatever the sales person told me to buy and home I went. All excited I went for my first shave. What a disappointment. Later found out I had to hone that razor first. I had no clue that the small stone , what later turned out to be a honing stone, green paste and leather paddle strop were to be used in a whole shaving, prepping ritual. I learned the hard way.
Now we have this great community, internet, and as 'BeBerlin' would say.. the WIKI...
There's a huge learning curve. Some manage to tame it faster then others. But if you are persistent you will get there. Unfortunately there can be some blood shedding in its path and some dulled or ruined edges but it's not the end of the world (unless you drop your razor while shaving in the nude ).
Take your time, don't rush, go inch by inch and try to find your shaving nirvana. Never feel discouraged. Follow the experienced members advise. There's light at the end of the tunnel. Your beautiful Red IMP will always be able to look shiny or sharp again, if and when needed .

Tabac for $13.10 is about as cheap as you will ever find it. Also, the one you linked included the bowl!