First Shave, The Lessons Begin

Hi everyone,
I posted for my first time yesterday, and also finally got to experience my first Straight Razor shave. I had a 3 day growth because of travelling, and had read either here or on your Yahoo forum board recommendations to take it slow, be patient, and keep learning...it takes time to master. I did the hot shower, tried a Pure Badger brush (first use...been using a Boars hair I got in the PX over in the Middle East), my favorite soap (though I now understand about that "Wet Badger Smell" and hope it will smell better once my soap's scent takes to it), Let the lather soften my beard up while I strop'd (30 strokes on a paddle til I get that Hanging Strop hung) up a nice Shave Ready Straight I got from John Crowley (6/8 #40 Kron-Punkt), and started on my side burns. I did watch Lynn's Video before starting the whole adventure, and will strongly recommend it to anyone, Great Job and Thanks Lynn for doing it. Because I'm taking it slow, well...learned not to go as fast as Lynn does on the video right off, I did my Left Side Burn/Cheek and neck Down (stretching the skin like in the video), relathered it, then Up (WOW doing your neck up the first time was an Eye Opener :eek: ), and completed the rest of the shave with my Mach 3. Cleaned the beauty from John with Witch Hazel and let it dry open for 10 minutes before putting it away (displayed on the counter actually). Then the Wifey Test. She said the Left Side was NOTICABLY closer, but I haven't reached the "Baby Butt Smooth" ability yet (I'll get there in time). Even in the evening she said she still noticed a difference between the two shaves. I'll likely try both sides today, may or may not do the chin & lip depending on how comfortable the 2 sides go. Thanks so much to Everyone for all the advice, knowledge, and posts that helped start me on this adventure without any serious injuries (yet).

Sorry so long of a post, wanted to give a blow by blow so I could get advice as to anything else I missed, or could try in the future. Honing will come after I get through each size razor (today I'm trying the 7/8 Bartman #22 in South American Iimba). Thanks again guys, great site. :D

Brian

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Originally Posted by BKHamre

Then the Wifey Test.

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LOL that's th ultimate metre right there I'd say. Glad to hear it's going well so soon. Keep at it with the same care and attention and youll be getting great shaves over the whole face in no time.

X

Congrats Brian! Get comfortable with the blade and how it handles, then slowly expand the areas you shave. You'll have the baby butt smooth in no time. Just don't make pink soap ;)

Brian,

Sounds like you have it figured out...now just to apply everything you have learned! Good going. A little trick to expedite banishing that "wet badger" smell. Give your brush a couple of gentle "shampoos". You can even use conditioner on it. Never use boiling water, just good hot tap water will be sufficient. Always keep in mind you have to take care of the handle, and the badger hair is cemented in, but as far as the badger part...it's hair!

RT

Hi everyone,
Thank you for the encouragement I received from this post. Today I learned that I HAVE A LOT to learn :D I tried my 7/8 Bartman #22 after a shower, 30 strokes on the Hanging Strop, and did the Sideburns to neck on both sides down and up, neck up under chin, then after about 30 minutes of nerves I finished up with the Mach 3. My Face BURNED :eek: even after the Glycerin Aftershave lotion, and my confidence was shot. The Lessons I learned (or have decided may help) are 7/8 may be too big for now (going to stick to the 6/8 as it felt so good), and I have to watch the video again and try not to tilt my head (spent so much time trying to figure out if the blade was at the 30 degree while tilting my head to one side to see what I was doing). Though I was not pleased with today's shave, after 8 hours the Mach 3 part is rough and could use a touch up, the Straight shaved areas are just starting to feel rough in spots. :hmmm: So today's lessons for me, patience, stick to one razor for now (learn what works, then see what size I like), and move the razor around the head, not the head around the razor LOL

Brian