Thread: First Shave - Please check out videos - Please help I am doing something wrong.

I have taken my first shave today and then had a go at stropping a razor. I have only shaved my sideburns and cheeks and the razor did take of some hair but only really tiny pieces. The good news is I have survived the ordeal and don't appeared to have lost any of the red stuff. I have read loads on this fantastic forum, but am I actually doing any of this straight shaving correctly. I wouldn't call the shave I got from the straight close at all. I went over my whole face again with my DE razor. Using the straight for the first time feels like a massive releif and can't wait to have another go tomorrow. I have added a pic of the gear I used, a video of my shave and a video of my stropping. I am sure I have done everything wrong except cut my carotid artery, i'll try shaving my neck later

Picture of gear



Video of Stropping - oops I noticed i said honing in video - sorry nervous



Video of First Shave



I am guessing there is something I am doing wrong for the razor not to shave close. The razor has been honed by Lynn and so is bound to be sharp enough. The blade also feels fragile when shaving. I know they are thin but when I am passing the razor over my face it feels like I am going to break the edge. I know thats ridiculous but it may give a clue to what I am doing wrong.

It looks like you are doing everything essentially correct. Sounds like you have a full hollow which is why it is singing. With a little more practice you will become more comfortable with angle and pressure. I saw nothing amiss with your stropping video. How many laps on the strop are you planning moving forward. Most people here recommend 40-100 light.

I'm pretty sure you won't break the edge on your face. I think your face will break first. The good thing is you started with a razor you know is optimally honed by Lynn. Now you will learn to keep it that way.

Nicest new guy post I have seen.

I can't really tell from the video but make sure that you are not using pressure to make to blade cut the hairs. It should just glide over your skin very lightly. also i am guessing you are still getting used to using your left hand so pay extra attention to pressure and angle on that side. I would also recommend using shorter strokes to start out and re-position your face stretching hand once you have cleared the top part of your cheek to get a better stretch on the lower cheek.

KG

thanks guys I think I will start up at the high numbers of strops i don't want to damage the razor's edge it came a long way to get to me. thanks also for the reassurance that I will not break the edge. The left handed this is bizarre i had a go with a butter knife first in fact it helps to close my eyes and go by feel. Looking in the mirror the hand is moving in the opposite way to the brain.

You're stropping technique looks fine to me, I saw nothing wrong. And as for your shaving, I saw very confident, short and deliberate strokes there. You have done much better than I did when I first started not too long ago.

Keep up the good work, you're farther ahead than you may realize.

Frank

Welcome to the brotherhood!

Great post. The stropping looks ok. Just remember, slow is absolutely fine. Almost no pressure laps at slow speed.

I'd be interested to hear more about your pre-shave prep.

Also, it seems that you passed the shave-ready razor test easily with the swipes from the hairline down to the jaw. It always feels a bit nervy the first time. I think I broke into a sweat.

Regards,

Simon

ps-nice equipment, btw.

Hi there.
Way too much wrist in your stropping. You need to practice rolling a pencil or your razor in your hand but use all your fingers to get the 180º rotation.
Your shave seemed to go quite well.

Good stropping vids here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/conte...pping-video-8/

The only mistake I noticed was not giving yourself a pat on the back. Looks good!

Sink dings suck; hit a faucet handle or spout (or sink) and you can break or chip a blade. Many wipe lather from blades on a sponge sitting in/on the sink or, in my case, a damp washcloth doubled and draped over the front rim of the sink.

Consider lathering with a little more enthusiasm; I'll massage soap on my face with a brush vigorously for at least a minute.

You seem to have a very sure hand for your first go. Nice.

Your stropping is going to kill your edge,You have the spine of the razor far to elevated,spine should lay flat on the strop.
The sound of the stropping is a dead givaway,your just hitting the egde,which will soon be toast,JMO