Thread: First shave...It felt like I was ripping my face off!

Yup, you need to have it properly honed. If you have the angle to high, even with a sharp razor, you will scrape the whiskers off, not shave them. Too low of an angle and you will just glide over them without cutting. Use a light touch, don’t death grip the razor, it should almost hang in your hand. Use a very light grip but first and foremost, get it properly honed.

Originally Posted by Burt

I recently acquired my great grandfathers j.r. Torrey 5/8 round point hollow ground razor. The razor was not quite sharp enough so I had a norton stone sharpening wedge(6-8k I think) and the Apart barbers hone so I executed the "X" pattern till I felt the razor was sharp enough by feeling a cutting sensation drawing down my wet thumb. Looked at the razor with my 10x jewelers loupe and there were no jagged edges. I then did 50 laps on the linen and 50 on the leather. I checked the draw on my thumb and it seemed very sharp.
Seeing as this was my first shave I decided to do my neck first so I could stop if needed. I was sure I read a 30 degree angle is ideal.
My shave soap had a thick creamy lather that lasted for 15 minutes. I have a very thick heavy beard.
I took a shower before, before I exited the shower I put on a face lotion to try and add additional moisture to my beard for easy cutting, lathered on my shave soap and went to town and it started....
Some strokes were ok but some were almost unbearable...I do not want this to be my last experience so I am asking for your help. Please!!...

Should I send the razor out to be professionally sharpened?

What angle should the razor be at?

Thanks for the help in advance..

Burt,

Even with my very light beard (American Indian/Scottish) DNA I only need to shave twice a week at most.

I thought I would Dig In after a shower and scrape my face one day only to find that didn't work.

I noticed you didn't apply hot towels in your description, but that might have been left out. This could have made the difference.

For any beard - even a light one such as mine - it's very important to apply the steaming towels, after the shower, after the strop, and hot towel a layer of soap in, like Lynn says.

If your beard is soft... and your razor is sharp... your shave will be sweet.

Take it from Tonto.



You described a nasty, grabbing shave... that indicated pine tree whiskers and a dull blade.

Softened whiskers and a sharp blade and they'll come right off basically under the skin with the first pass.

I often shave my brother, with a deep red heavy beard, first pass.

He often says the cat could lick off mine if I only applied some milk to my face... but that's not really true.

His hairs are heavy and will perform the HHT. Mine are like silk and will never HHT with the same razor, but when I shave us both with steamed beards - with the same razor - we both have baby-butt faces.

You must go through ALL the motions...

That is, after all, why we're all here.

Lots of great advice here, but no matter how many tips you get, you will only learn by experience and this could take weeks or even months to really get the hang of it. Just don't give up and it will get better. It becomes a very satisfying thing and something you will really look forward to.

Don't get discouraged! Mine first one was the same way. Like others have said, get a professional edge put on your razor. In my experience much of the first time discomfort and frustrations come from being new to the game. With practice it will become easier.

To me, it is best to get your razor honed so that you can take that variable out of the equation and also have a reference of what a well honed razor is like.

Perseverance will get you through the first few shaves. As stated, start on your cheeks first because you can see a bit better.

Once you feel you can shave your cheeks well and have the angle down, you can move on.

Have fun and don't give up.

Soon you will be having enjoyable and comfortable shaves.

Your razor was not sharp. When you feel it pulling, stop and strop.

I had a Torrey once. I never could get a good shave with it. I was able to trade it to someone for a Dovo, which I use all the time. Different razors shave differently, and we all have different beards. Mine is like barbed wire. Experiment with different brands, and you'll eventually find the right one for you.

One advantage to buying used razors on EBay is that if it doesn't work for you, you can usually re-list it and get at least what you payed for it back.