I've been wet shaving for a while but have only done two shaves previously with a straight (a professionally honed Dovo) - mainly the flat part of my cheeks. Today I thought I'd go a bit further. On the negative side, I started off using a cheap razor I've been teaching myself to hone on (I'll post details in the honing forum) but quickly realized it wasn't up to "scratch" so I switched to the Dovo. I did my cheeks then thought I'd move on to the flat part of my neck WTG. Went really well so I decided to press my luck and go for a full WTG pass. Finished with no cuts or burns but the overall result wasn't all that great.

Did a second pass ATG. On this one I "chickened out" on my trouble areas (chin and adams apple) and just re-did those spots WTG. Result after second pass was better but a few areas still needed some work.

Did a third pass XTG on my cheeks and neck. Worked a bit more on my chin and overdid it. I realize after the fact that I was taking little short strokes and have some razor burn there as well as a nick. The nick was kind of funny. In the fraction of a second before I did it I thought "I don't have the blade at the right angle" but had started the stroke and the result was exactly what you'd expect: a small nick. Barely even bled and a little post-shave after shave put it right.

Overall, I'm happy with the result. Not the best shave I've ever had but I made it through relatively unscathed and the shave is certainly acceptable.

A few lessons learned though:

  • The lather on the area I shave last (my chin) was pretty dry by the time I got to it. I should have re-lathered but didn't. I think that accounts for a lot of the razor burn.
  • Since I was going to try the razor I honed I stropped it 40 laps on linen and 40 on leather before I shaved. When I realized it wasn't going to work I switched to my Dovo cold with no pre-shave strop. I think it would have shaved even better had I stropped beforehand.
  • Need to work on my practice honing razor more.


Overall, a positive experience and encouraging for future shaves.