Thread: 1st Straight Shave ever.....

I believe it was my Combat Lifesaver course that taught me one important lesson in lubrication. "Blood makes a great lubricant." This was said in conjunction with intubating someone who had a collapsed air way.

I will go ahead, and just for the record, state that the aforementioned quote, is true for straight razors.

The set up was simple. I used a Biorre exfoliating scrub. It's my wifes, and we already had it laying around. The weapon of disfigurement...err...choice, was a Dovo Spike point. In hind sight, it may have not been the best choice for a first blade, but it's just so damn sexy.

There was no pre-shave oil or cream, and I will welcome recommendations as to what I should use, yes...besides blood, for a good lubricant.

I used Col Conk's Bay rum soap. My shave mug, is a stainless steel camping cup (as I intend to take this set up with me to Afghanistan).

The blood helped things slide along. My dominant side is relatively well shaven, but the switch stance....not so much.

The post shave treatment was Dominican Bay rum after shave.

Things taken away from this learning experience...

1.) Blood is a great lubricant.
2.) Pre-shave lubricant > Blood
3.) Get a stypic pencil, or equivalent product.
4.) Alcohol based aftershaves are helpful.

Any pointers?
-Fnogg

Beard prep is imperative. Lather, hot towel, hot water rinse, repeat. Two or three times and that should minimise some of the 'pink lather' syndrome.

The switching hands thing is pretty weird at first but stick with it. The shaves and your technique will improve a little with every shave. Before long, you'll quit using the red lubricant . There's only a very short list of things I do well and routinely with my left hand among them: Fire a rifle, shoot pool and shave the left side of my face with a straight. Thanks for your service and Semper Fi.

One tip, since you may be in situations where beard prep options are limited.....

1. Lather.
2. Leave the lather sitting on your face while you strop.
3. Re-lather, without rinsing off the first lather.

Makes all the difference in the world.

Don't fret over the blood. Many of us started out in the same manner. I too am familiar with how slippery blood is, but I'd rather use something else.

I use a pre-shave oil before I shave. There are many opinions on this but it is what I like and seems to help keep my skin be happy.

Enjoy your day.

keep your spike out...My first razor was a red imp with a wicked spike..I learned quickly to use the back side of the blade and leave the front off the face a little...I have a thin face so it was easy to do..I you have a rounder melon then I think a round tip is the weapon of choice...For the field a str8 is doable..I used one all the time..If you are a fobbit then bring a DE razor for the days you dont' have a lot of time..I found that my shower and shave was a special ritual that I looked forward to..It was nice to scrape the daily crud off my face..If you are going to be out in a forward base shaving is not as regimented. But the thing to watch for out there is "infections"..A cut on the face can put you into the hurt locker with all the nasty stuff growing over there.

I would thank you for your serice...But when I was still in I thought that was a weird thing for civilians to say.....I used to thank them for allowing me to serve...I don't know what else would have given me purpose...

Originally Posted by Wintchase

I would thank you for your service...But when I was still in I thought that was a weird thing for civilians to say.....I used to thank them for allowing me to serve...I don't know what else would have given me purpose...

This selfless thought exemplifies what makes those who serve in the military so valuable to our countries. For us civvies, your willingness to undertake the discipline, rigor, sacrifice and danger of service is what we thank you for. Thanks to all who serve.

+1 on what Veedubb 65 said...

Lather
Strop
Re-lather
Then shave

The only other thing I can think of that you might want to try to help condition the skin is some witchhazel.

After the shave, rinse with cold water, apply some witchhazel, clean up your gear and then apply the aftershave. I'm of the belief that after years of using it, it's helped condition my skin.

Congrats on the first shave (it's all downhill from there) and good luck over there.

+1 on Wintchase's advice - don't ditch the spike. A Dovo Bismarck spike point was my first and still one of my favorite razors.

Thanks for your service. (My father-in-law was stationed at Camp LeJune before serving in Vietnam, and my wife was born in Jacksonville)

Happy shaving

Kind of reminded me of last night. I too did alright on the right side (I'm right handed, but the left got a little redish. I kept shaving, but had to switch off to the safety razor to finish. The 2 razors I have are not honed properly, and am awaiting some stones to get them in better shape. Sharp, but not greasy lightning sharp. I think "micro" sharp would be a key word for getting it done without getting to snagged. I have also seen a video tha the guy says the FIRST touch of the blade to your skin is the important one and let it glide from there. Make sure that the blade touches lightly and let it glide from there.... well, that's what he said. And I sure didn't see any nicks on his face when he got done. The nose was kind of intersting. Almost a 90 degree to the face to cut the hairs under the nose on the upper lip. Looks like it is a bit steep, but I guess, at a 45 will shorten one's nose more than what is acceptable.