Thread: My Progress report!!

Ok, home from work and into the shower. Hot water, lots of steam, a good cleanse with nice soap to get rid of the days hard labour. Then hot water into the basin, and a little skin food onto the beard. Making up a beautiful lather with the trumpers lime cream, with a little skin food for good measure. Lather up, taking about 2 mins, really working it deep into the face. Then a nice hot steamy towel for three mins. Towel off, and re lather. Then i stropped the blade. Shaving commences. First pass was a dream, no reddness or soreness, and being very light on the pressure.

Now at this point, i believe i looked pretty smooth. But i decided to relather, steam and lather again and attempt a second pass.

After shaving the second pass i was a little raw, with a few little nicks. So i washed in cold water, and massaged with an alum block (new today!), which kinda stang.

I followed this with some balm.

Now for some time after, i was pretty red, but the closeness of my shave is undoubtably my best yet (4 shaves total with a straight so far..). Its already smoother than the mach 3 turbo i used to use, and i like to think i was pretty handy with that thing, but i refuse to go back!!!!

Now i'm beginning to think I'm either not quite sharp enough yet or i'm having a reaction to something. I'm using all Trumpers products, skin food, limes cream, alum. I'm confident with stropping, although i have only just ordered the norton 4k/8k.

I hope this won't make too many people shudder, and that i havent messed my razor up, but i set my first bevel with a 1200, albeit very carefully, and i knew i hadn't overhoned. Then hit the 6000, which polished beautifuly. These were water stones i had already, and are in very good shape (cabinet maker by trade!!)

Anyone have any ideas?!?! Hopefully i can rehone with my new stone, and i'm thinking of using the diamond strop paste after.

Closeness goooooooooooooood

redness baaaaaaaaaaaaadd

I would bet on a twofold problem. First make sure you are stretching the skin really well. Second, you are probably at too high of an angle to your face with the razor. Lower the angle till the razor is just two spine widths off your face and see how that goes.

It's either too much pressure (which is usually a symptom of a dullish razor), too high an angle, insufficient stretching, or a reaction to the soap or cream. Or you're just not used to the exfoliation from the razor. I'd bet on one of the first four, though. Straights should be gentle enough that the aftershave or alum or whatever you prefer doesn't burn at all.

Originally Posted by pea

...Then i stropped the blade. Shaving commences. First pass was a dream, no reddness or soreness, and being very light on the pressure.

Now at this point, i believe i looked pretty smooth. But i decided to relather, steam and lather again and attempt a second pass.

First pass was good. Makes me think the blade is fine. Why the second pass? Not close enough with the once-over? Your skin may be too sensitive right now for a second time over.

Or

Maybe you need more work on stropping? Honed edge may be fine, or not.

Did you try any of the edge prep tests? Thumb nail (after honing only), thumb pad (after stropping), HHT? If so, what did you find?


Scott

Hi from another fellow UK member.

With no disrespect to the other replies, my money is on the Alum Block. I use Trumper's stuff with no problems at all (sometimes I use some Art of Shaving products which I may be ditching soon).

You don't mention if you went against the grain in your second pass (or the first for that matter!), neither did you say which balm you used. I would go with just the one pass for now (with the grain) and finish off with more Skin Food. You can't go wrong with a Trumper's product. But I would leave the Alum for now and doing second passes until your skin adapts to it.

I sometimes use a moisturiser to finish off with - my favourite (by far) is the wonderful Borage anti-shine Moisturiser by Korres which is recommended for after shaving. Well worth the money and better than any of the other top-brand stuff you can buy.

Remember after years of Gillette and Mach 3 your skin has never had such a good shave as with a straight - so give it time to adapt! Soon you will get used to it.

Good luck and keep at it.

My bet's on the Alum block as well. I can't use that stuff AT ALL. It'll burn the hell out of my face. Try the same routine as the last time but without the Alum block. See if it makes a difference.

The first few shaves with a straight are always hard on your skin. it takes a week or two for your face to adjust to the aggressive dipiling that a stright produces. Take your time, doa few less passes for a while or give yourself some days off, and take the advice of the gentlemen here. They have good ideas.

X

I've been using a straight razor for about three weeks now and within the last few days I've experienced a considerable improvement in the shave and how my face feels after.
Little to no razor burn ---I think I've found the correct angle and my prep work has improved. Initially I experienced considerable razor burn --so from one new guy to another-- I think you'll see improvement soon. Also, does anyone else have tender areas just above the jaw line on both sides of the chin --kind of where Lynn uses his styptic pencil in the free video. I don't know if it's bad technique or bad skin.

hi everyone, and to rum in the uk!!

Yeah i think i should have just gone with the first pass. It was all with the grain, not against. That last shave was the best, but also the reddest, and i'm sure if it wasn't the razor, it was the alum, as it was the first time i used it. I just wanted to keep it old school!!!

Anyways, it hasn't put me off, and my skin is in good shape. It's actually jeeing me up for the next shave!! I want to get one in every other day, but i wanted to get the norton 4000/8000 before i continued. I'm feeling good about the honing, and am trying out the stone this afternoon. Keep you posted!

I'm hoping that stone will just get the edge how i want it. When i first honed i established the bevel with a 1200, and polished with a king 6000. The 6000 is good but i think the norton will cut much better. I did resurface the King before using it, but it just doesn't feel as good a quality as the norton. I'll keep the king for me chisels i think!!!!!

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful indeed, and everything seems to be falling into place!!!

bring on the smooooooooth face i say!!!

you could improve the closeness and comfort of the shave if you have a finishing hone/pasted paddle of higher grit to put that fine edge on the razor. if you are stopping at a 6k its kinda low, for me and most people we go higer then the 8k also.

my suggestion to get a tony miller bench hone and have him paste it up with 1.0micro and 0.5micron paste for your finishing touches along with all your touch ups. i think he now carries chromium oxide (same as 0.5) so you could choose that instead of 0.5 micron diamond paste if you wanted.

either way ..for 22$ its a fantastic instrument and will server you great for years making your razors feel oh so smooth.

~J