Thread: First Straight Shave

Hello All,

I just finished my first shave with a straight razor and it was ok. The razor I used was a new Dovo Silver Steel I bought from a well known vendor that was suppossed to be shave-ready. Being new to straights I didn't know any better and thought it was first shave ready and thereafter needed a stropping first.

The blade felt dull and draggy with my first strokes but, like I say I'm new to straights and didn't really know if the drag was the blade, my angle or what. So, I did my full face except for under the nose. The blade was draggy and pully so I decided to strop and that made quite a difference. So, great, I'm learning hard lessons but, I'm finally learning.

Well, I did several passes that for some reason didn't really follow my initial 'method plan'. Ok, I was learning to hold the blade, trying to see through my hand, trying to hold the blade, see through my hand etc, and repeat. Oh, and learning to strop.

At the end of it, I had a better shave than a Trac II except for that area on the end of the left jaw corner and I'm not going back to finish that one this time. There was just so much confusion, time and repeating things will, I'm sure, teach me to straighten things out and shave with confidence.

Now, I need to look back over some tips and let it all gel and think about going back in sometime. I have to work tomorrow and I don't really want to mess up my face so, I may just wait for my next day off.

Happy shaving,

Joe

Before you know it, it will all be second nature to you.

If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to buy "The World of Straight Razor Shaving" DVD by Linn Abrams. It unravels all the mysteries for Newbies like us.

Good luck !