Noob's progress...

[mmm_shavingcream]

So this is what I have discovered so far, (after 3 weeks)...

My #1 rule, always shave downwards, no more nicks.

My #2 rule, don't try any other crazy directions.

After my third sting, I realized that the red line was almost vertical, just like the other two. It then dawned on me as to why I had the red line on my face, (see rule #1 or #2). I can almost shave my entire face now but I still fear the chin and the upper lip. I suppose they will come in time.

Also the purchase of a new 5/8 Dovo has helped. I find the narrower blade easier to handle...

Emil

[JLStorm]

are you happy with smothness and closeness of the shave if you shave down?

[xman]

Just keep breathing your way through it. I mean that literaly. Many people make a habbit of constricting their breath during concentrated actions. This causes your blood pressure to rise and that tension ensures you will NOT be concentrating your best. Make a habit of taking deep breaths every few strokes. Take that time to think about how the last few strokes went and how you can focus your technique for the next few. Those red stripes should diminish. I still get them if I let my mind wander.

Try stretching your skin more from behind the razor.

I also feel a need to emphasise beard prep. Good and wet. Always.

X

[AFDavis11]

Red stripes? Whats the cause of these? Are you shaving with a spike point? Yea, I prefer the 5/8 as well. I think I might make the 5/8 my newbie suggestion model.

JL...the downward only pass works pretty well on the face with a straight since it can cut closer than a DE, but you'll feel a difference from when you were able to spin the DE around and go upwards against the grain. You'll either have to adapt or you'll have to work on getting it really sharp for against the grain attacks. A sideways, across the grain pass with a straight is pretty similar to a DE in closeness. For my neck area I have to go against the grain.

If I had a red line on my face I'd be checking that blade under a microscope and running the spike point if it had it along the side of the hone at a 45 degree attack in each direction.

Are there any faint scratch lines on the strop?

[mmm_shavingcream]

When I say red line I meant the red line(cut) of a nick. I initially had one or two biggies but as my shaving improved, and my razor's edge improved they no longer happen. With my new razor the keen edge is not a problem like my used one that I had to hone and fix up . . . (with no prior honing experience).

It's all part of the learning curve. All good.

Emil

[AFDavis11]

Ok, cool! Glad to hear it, you had me worried there for a sec....

[mmm_shavingcream]

And, I think that the up-strokes and side-swipe cross-shaves will come in time. I am enjoying taking it slowly . . . walking before I run.

Emil

[threeputt]

Emil, I have a suggestion to try in the meantime until you go against the grain. After your first with the grain pass, relather and do another with the grain, only with a somewhat steeper blade angle. Not too steep, but maybe 3 spine widths as opposed to two. Stretching becomes more important with a steeper blade angle as well, I should mention. Anyway, after that, relather and do your across the grain pass. Across meaning shave from ear to chin on each side, down to and including your jawline ~ stretching behind the blade all the way across. If your razor is sharp enough and you practice a little with this, I doubt there'd be anything left to shave off with an against the grain pass. I get VERY smooth with this technique. The neck is a different strategy altogether, but I'm addressing only the jawline & up in this post. Upper lip, practice and a few passes, you'll get it. You can include your upper lip in the across the grain pass too. Just watch the nostrils and the tip of the razor. Right up under the nose is easy too unless you're shaving with a big honkin 8/8 meat chopper. I sort of roll the tang between my fingers, starting the stroke with the razor nearly flat to the underside of my nose and proceeding downward toward the lipline. Not really spinning the razor in your fingers, but an abbreviated version of that motion. The thing to watch is stopping and pausing anywhere with the blade edge resting on your skin. I already have the razor moving when it touches my skin, this is key. Just be careful and you'll get it no problem.

Jeff

[mmm_shavingcream]

Hey that sounds like great advice, thanks...


Emil