Thread: Introduction and my First Shave

Originally Posted by Otto

It's probably your technique that isn't up to par yet. Thing takes time.
Be patient.

If you haven't done so: Order and watch Lynn's dvd.
Also read: Moss, Christopher. "The Art of the Straight Razor Shave."
"The Art of the Straight Razor Shave." you will find in the Wiki

The other thing to do is look ar your face. Check out which way your hair grows to find the "grain" of your beard. When I started shaving I thought WTG just meant down and my shaves were not that great but I later noticed my beard doesn't all grow in the same direction - the grain changes direction.

The last thing is that a great shave needs three passes to mow down all the hair. Try doing one pass and then finishing with the mach3; as you improve move on to the other passes.

=)

Since you stated that every attempt seemed to get better I'd say you are off to a good start. Good beard prep and the proper angle are the keys to a smooth shave. Of the two angle is probably more important so I'd experiment with that to find the optimum angle for your face and razor. Try using the spine width as a guide and start with 1 spine width off the skin and do about an inch stroke, then try 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, and 3. Somewhere in there you will find the "groove" that will do the best job.

Don't get discouraged by the videos...it takes weeks, months, or years to aquire the skills that some of those guys possess. And don't let a little blood spook you either...it's the initiation fee to belong to the brotherhood of straight shavers.

Originally Posted by AusTexShaver

Since you stated that every attempt seemed to get better I'd say you are off to a good start. Good beard prep and the proper angle are the keys to a smooth shave. Of the two angle is probably more important so I'd experiment with that to find the optimum angle for your face and razor. Try using the spine width as a guide and start with 1 spine width off the skin and do about an inch stroke, then try 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, and 3. Somewhere in there you will find the "groove" that will do the best job.

Don't get discouraged by the videos...it takes weeks, months, or years to aquire the skills that some of those guys possess. And don't let a little blood spook you either...it's the initiation fee to belong to the brotherhood of straight shavers.

Quick question, when I move from 1 to 1 1/2 to 2 etc, can I stop adjust the shaver and continue while leaving the shaver to my face ? Or do I risk cutting myself this way ?

And thanks for the words of encouragement!

J

Originally Posted by shampoo

Quick question, when I move from 1 to 1 1/2 to 2 etc, can I stop adjust the shaver and continue while leaving the shaver to my face ? Or do I risk cutting myself this way ?

J

Start and stop like you normally would but just change the angle...as long as you don't apply pressure while adjusting the angle you could leave it on your face.

Any time you put a razor to your face you risk cutting yourself but if you keep the angle shallow, the pressure low, and the stroke straight you shouldn't have to worry.

Ok.. Second attempt ever and this morning went MUCH better. Well, not that yesterday was horrible.. But this time I managed to actually cut hair!

I shaved the side, the cheek and a slight part of my neck and then I started to feel like I had probably pushed about as far as I could go.. But the razor felt more comfortable in my hand.. Not like some wobbly instrument about to do mass destruction that I have no control over.

Thanks again to all the help. This is clearly going to take some time, but I like progress.. Even if it's very small.

J

This afternoon, after a training ride I went at it again and: The left side went fantastic. So I went for the right and sure enough, it went it sideways. I knew it, even before the blood started to flow that it was gonna take a while to close. Maybe 1.5cm long and I closed it up in 5-10 minutes. So not that bad.

So lesson learned. Hold off on the right side until I can get a little better with the left.

But the left came out about as good as with a MACH 3. So progress. Just not as quick as I thought. It's funny, we all know we should take our time but when it goes well, we all so often push our luck. I guess everyone has to slice themselves at least once to learn!

J

Welcome to SRP!
Sounds like you are off to a great start despite the latest mishap. You have the right idea as far as taking it slow and easy. You may want to experiment with shaving with both hands. Despite the fact that I am not normally ambidexterous, I find that I can shave very well with both hands. This means that you use the same grips on the razor for both sides of the face and you manage the blade in the same way, just different hands. YMMV and all of that.

You dont mention that you have a strop and that you are stropping correctly. Is this an omission or something you dont have?

Welcome to SRP, may you have many happy shaves

Whilst the video in this thread is good i'm not convinced it is the best example for ATG shaving. The blade angle/pressure the guy uses going ATG really shows him pushing into his face- not good for shaving.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

You dont mention that you have a strop and that you are stropping correctly. Is this an omission or something you dont have?

Welcome to SRP, may you have many happy shaves

Yes, I had a local leather-smith make me one..

But I just realized yesterday that I had been stropping incorrectly. I was rolling the blade instead of the spine. I hope I didn't dull the blade to the point where I have to get it honed.

J