Thread: First Shave Tomorrow - Could anyone check my plan?

No stropping ...... No stropping ...... No stopping. Phil puts a nice edge on his blades.

Alot of great advise!!.....Here is my 2 cents.....Although I'm new two SR shaving (2 weeks in) one of the most helpful tips I got from this site was to just try to remove the lather, this will keep the blade light on your face and let the wicked sharp razor do the work!! Good luck and have fun with it!

+1 You don't have to complete your shave with it entirely.

+1 Take all the time in the world. I just had my first a couple weeks back, made sure do it on a morning the wife was out and I had absolutely nothing to do. Went extremely slow giving each centimeter of my face the time it needs. Finished off great, no raw burning feeling no blood.

+1 Don't strop first. I too benefited from trying to shave with my SR right from the shop and after stropping it.

+1 Plenty of lather. No lather, no blade.

=> Don't put music, turn off water. Listen to your razor, sound very important can tell you if something going wrong.

And.. At any time (and this almost got me) if you get a grip or positioning or idea during shaving that seemed/looked/felt stupid, it probably is- DON'T DO IT lol At least until you get better acquainted with the blade.

Enjoy! Relax.

I got two complete shaves and the third started tugging a little before stroping. What razor did you get? I think a round point will add some confidence at least it did for me. I went a month before cutting a weeper on the side of my next by not concentrating where the tip of the blade was and using alittle scything stroke. Had it been a spike or square tip razor I would have really cut my self.

You should do fine. Just take your time and enjoy the process. I was use to wet shaving with a DE before starting with a SR. I still have a lot to learn. It's harder than it looks but not so much to be fearful.

Report back and let us know how it went.

My razor is a 6/8 Thiers-Issard, c-135 carbonsong steel.

I am pretty entertained at how meticulous you are being about this. I on the other hand just went for it and it certainly did not even think about making a list. Unfortunately my first couple of shaves were less then desirable, others might say they were a bloody mess. I guess that is why my parents always said I insist on learning things the hard way. I hope your first shave went well and I am sure it will be more successful than my own.

Originally Posted by aboarder4life

I am pretty entertained at how meticulous you are being about this. I on the other hand just went for it and it certainly did not even think about making a list. Unfortunately my first couple of shaves were less then desirable, others might say they were a bloody mess. I guess that is why my parents always said I insist on learning things the hard way. I hope your first shave went well and I am sure it will be more successful than my own.

Myself as well! I just decided I was going to do it, went to an antique store and selected an old SR (square point to boot!), honed it myself, lathered up and went for it. Really I did quite well (no wounds) and only had trouble around the chin and jaw line. Within 3 shaves I was doing complete shaves. I am now about a month and a half in and I am shaving virtually every day and am loving it!

That said, nothing wrong with being cautious and getting yourself pumped up and prepared, but I think it is pretty easy to make yourself more nervous than you need to be...