Thread: Terrifying first full shave. Help!

Had my first full shave today. Not a complete success but I managed to show the blade to areas of my face that refused to be touched before.
I really don't think I have my Solingen hollow ground to its optimum yet.
I can do my cheeks, throat and rear jaw line but did have a problem on my chin and the edge of the jawbone. Just under the lower lip was a traumatic time as well. I fiddle with the tip of the blade to do below the lip and the chin, neither of which was good.

Going against the grain was too much of an ordeal for today.

1. I shall look around for some videos on the forum and in cyber space (any links will be welcome).
2. Does the Honemeister on this site sell shave ready razors so I can see if my problem is the blade (I'm using an oilstone and an antique sanded and saddle soaped strop).
3. The silk side of my strop leaves dust on my blade. How rough are they? Could this be a honing powder. Should I wash it.

I won't give in yet but a rechargable Braun is itchin to jump out of the drawer.

Help !

Check the classifieds section. Plenty of shave ready razors there. Most are really affordable and will help in getting a sense of what 'shave ready' should feel like.

Nice to see another canuck on the site. (I'm from Fredericton NB)

Firstly, go smash that braun before it overpowers you!

"I really don't think I have my Solingen hollow ground to its optimum yet." - What do you mean? If you mean honed, you can always send it out.
SRD's razor's are all honed before they're sent out, but as Dup's suggested, there's always the classifieds.
Maybe ignore ATG for now. If you want close try XTG in both directions & stretch the skin around the chin & jaw to get it to a flat area.
Is it a vintage strop? Maybe it's just a bit past it?

SRD only sells shave ready razors. Most of the ones on the classifieds are also shave ready. Did you hone your own razor? If so, it is more than likely not shave ready. It takes some experience to know what shave ready really is.

Cheapest solution, buy a razor from the classifieds somewhere from a reputable person. OR, you could send your razor out to the honemeister in Canada. I saw his ad in the classifieds, forgot who it is though.

ATG is tricky.... wouldnt mess with it until you are comfortable with XTG and WTG passes.

A razor that needs honed will be a blood bath on ATG.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

ATG is tricky.... wouldnt mess with it until you are comfortable with XTG and WTG passes.

A razor that needs honed will be a blood bath on ATG.

True story. I did it today testing a blade. It hurtzes!!!! My fault for not having a honing journal telling me which razor is honed and which one isn't....

Honemiester in Canada is Floppyshoes.
Honing and Restoration Services (CANADA) - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Is it a vintage strop? Maybe it's just a bit past it?

Yes it's a vintage one and very smooth. Before using it I lightly sanded it as seen on this forum and then cleaned and conditioned it with saddle soap. That was fully dry and buffed before I re used it.

It's a full 3" * 24" Russian leather. It is velvet smooth on the strop side so I am reluctant to consign it to the trash.

Once I get two blades shave ready I will see if one dulls after using my strop. If it does, then colour it gone.

Thanks for the tip.

PS. This straight shaving quest could end up costing me thousands

Barry, take a look at this post by Lynn here for a good way to ease into straight razor shaving more gently. It is the way I started and I am glad that I did. Also read my sig below. If you follow the advice the old barber gave to me you may avoid getting as many nicks.

You've got the right attitude Barry, go slow and check your tools. you'll get to the sublime shaves very soon.

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