Thread: first straight shave complete

Today I got my strop and Dovo 5/8 in the mail. Razor was new and honed by straight razor designed and I stropped it before use. Seemed to have trouble with it gliding over my face, felt like it kept getting caught up on hairs and didnt want to cut without a bit of pressure. Paid close attention to my angle the whole time. Well after a few passes I started to figure out better ways to hold the razor and whatnot and it did get better but still seemed like it should be cutting easier. Like I said it got better with each pass so I think its my technique. Ended up with a pretty close shave, about what I get from my safety razor. No cuts though which I was pleased with. I was horrible with a safety razor when I first started that a few weeks ago so I hope practice makes perfect, or close.

Congratulations and welcome to SR shaving. Glad to see you're getting started on the right foot. You will find that the shaves definitely get easier as your technique improves.

Take some time, read the wiki and never hesitate to ask questions!

Way to go. Sounds like blade angle or prep. Experiment with both. Don't get discouraged.

Sounds like a standard first shave.

As you probably know, straights demand a lot more technique to get quality shaves. Even if you memorized the wiki before your first shave, your familiarity with holding and using a straight would hold you back from executing good technique. Don't fret though, it won't be long before you get that awesome BBS and never look back.

Thanks guys, yea first shave with a safety razor was a bloody mess then after a couple times I had it down, gonna give my skin a day or twos rest and start back at it with the straight.

Good Job!! It takes a willingness to experiment and an oppenness to learn. Pre-shave prep has helped me immesurably. Lynn has a great DVD that clearly showed me how to learn. Be patient with yourself, there will be good days and not so good days on the journey. Just stick with it and you will be fine and have fun doing this.

Thanks guys, the shaves are getting better and better every day. Told myself im going to shave with a straight razor every day for 30 days and by then I should be much better. Well im a few days in only and I think I will be a lifetime straight razor shaver

Keep us updated on the things you learn with each shave. We love hearing about people's progress.

Keep up the good work! As I found out, stropping correctly is very important. Try examining that and see if you can make any corrections.

I'm with you toughluck, I can't imagine ever going back. Straights have offered me the first comfortable shaves of my life and I love the process. There's something to be said of adopting a method of anything really that takes skill to acomplish. It would seem like a waste to abandon that knowledge/ability once obtained. I love it. Even though I'm pushing through the learning curve of different grips and strokes to find the optimal shave, I'm enjoying the even that process. I do have to say that SRP has been a lifesaver. I don't know if I'd feel this way if I hadn't had a place to run and reseach or ask my questions. So keep up the good work guys and keep at it toughluck!