Thread: This is normal right?

Hello everyone.


This is about my third shave with a straight. I dulled the razor with bad stropping. (I was rolling the razor on the blade and not the spine because I am a newbie) I got my stropping corrected, but my razor was too far gone for a good shave at that point. I sent it out to Lynn, and I just got it back wednesday 8/2. It was perfect timing as I had some nice thick growth.

I took a balzing hot shower; and soaked my face awhile with a wash cloth. Got out of the shower and dried off everything but my face. Threw on some shorts and worked up some lather. (silver tip badger brush, sandalwood classic shaving soap) I brushed the lather on my face and then stropped the razor. I went very very slow making sure to keep the razor flat; and roll it on the spine at the end of the stroke. (30 passes) Rinsed off the dried up later from my face, and brushed on a new coat. The lather was good and wet, but still thick so I could not see through it.

I did a single pass that went fine on the cheeks, but went bad when I got to my neck. It barely even cut the hairs, and gave me some nice razor burn. I was sure to keep the razor almost flat to my face, but it seemed all I did was piss off my skin. I took a good look at the hair on my neck to determine the direction of the growth. I lathered up again and did a second pass on my neck, but instead of going straight up and down I went more at an angle to catch the hairs. It worked but by then my neck was too tender from the first pass. I had to give up half way through the second pass. My cheeks were able to take a second and third pass with no problems. Well except for the four or five cuts I gave myself. Nothing major just some interesting red lines here and there that did not bleed much.

I rinsed off and checked my work. Cheeks were pretty dam smooth I was very happy. My neck was shaved but still had the stubble feeling in a lot of places. My jaw line also had stubble that got more noticable the closer to my chin. I had to go back and finish up with my dam electric razor.

Please tell me this is because I am a straight razor rookie. I know my technique needs a lot of work. I would immagine my face needs to get used to it as well. Shaving straight down on my neck does not seem to work at all. Is it ok to play with the direction of the stroke to fit my hair growth better? Should I strop the razor more? I know my prep is good. I am confident I am stropping correctly and not dulling the razor. I will keep trying. I guess I am just looking for someone to tell me to hang in there. This has to get better. I hope it is just my technique.