Thread: My First Shave

So... I shaved for the first time yesterday, and I used a straight. It was one that I have been restoring, I put an edge on it just to shave, as my facial hair was getting too long. Luckily, because my facial hair is still pretty thin and soft, I did not need any preparation. I used a cheap brush and soap, however I got a nice lather from it. I did 1 pass WTG on the sides and neck, and 2 passes (WTG & ATG) around my mouth area (as I had more hair there).

I had the most trouble on the bottom of the sides of my jaw and the easiest parts were probably my cheeks and chin. The worst part of shaving with a straight would have had to be cutting the top off a pimple and the small nicks I got, none of them actually bled, but just turned red.

Kit:

Solingen Razor (A&A MFG)
Cheap Synthetic Brush
Mysore Pure Sandalwood Soap
Some Random Moisturiser
Old Nicked Strop
Some Slate Stone I found (works as a coti hone, still haven't figured out an approx. grit)

Anyway, it was good fun.

Joundill

Welcome to the world of straight shaving!! Now you have the first shave out of the way, it only gets better from here. Now, tell me if I am reading this right, but you honed your own straight for your first shave with an unknown hone? Impressive. Good to hear it all went well...

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Welcome to the world of straight shaving!! Now you have the first shave out of the way, it only gets better from here. Now, tell me if I am reading this right, but you honed your own straight for your first shave with an unknown hone? Impressive. Good to hear it all went well...

Yeah, I'm unsure about the hone, I'm sure it leaves a crude edge in comparison to some of the other stones around SRP. I made the hone myself out of some slate I found, which exhibited some of the qualities which make Arkansas stone so good, however I may be incorrect in saying that it worked. I did stick a bevel on the razor with some of my sandpaper (400-2000 grit).

This was my first shave ever, not just my first shave with a straight, so I was unsure whether any of these things would work :P

I love it that you are working with what u have, but I really recommend having a stone for reference (known grit) and maybe a razor honed by a honemeister for referencing your edge (I've got one & one on the way). Thanks for sharing your first shave btw...

Congratulations!! You will never regret your choice of Straight Razor Shaving.

Chris

congrats on the first shave. I just had mine about two weeks ago. it's an amazing feeling.

I'm wondering if I should have shaved with a DE or a disposable, just to see what "sharp" really is... I'm looking forward to getting a proper hone, as the stone I used was mainly to hold the sandpaper I had. It provided an adequate shave, but I suspect it would have trouble cutting thicker hair.

As it was my first time shaving I don't have anything to compare the razor against, so I can't say if it was a good shave or not

If your happy with it it was a good shave.

Is a simle rule that has stood me well in life, if i`m hapy with it it is good.

Congrats!

It just gets better from here!

Thanks, I'm really intending to buy a hone, so when I get one I'll have a better shave, hopefully my hair doesn't get too thick before then.