Thread: Next day: some questions after my first straight shave

Good afternoon Gentlemen,
My girlfriend purchase a beautiful thiers-issard as a Christmas gift for me; I've always wanted to learn to straight shave, something I associated with being a cowboy and drinking black coffee when I was a kid. As I've gotten older, and living here as an import into California, I've also become more and more aware of the landfill I was making with tossing blades, and this seems like a smart economical choice.

My first day was a bit rough; although I spent much time watching all of your youtube videos (and more), and reading quite a bit of articles, I'm wondering if I fell for the 'Shave Ready' market slogan courtesy of the packaging... I seemed to have missed this portion in the beginners guide:
Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Basically my assumption is that this bad boy should cut like butter, and it doesn't feel that way. Even when I stretch my skin, I get a certain amount of tension against my hair and an uneven cut (although I associate that last problem with my lack of experience)... and out of pure excitement, I did indeed do my whole face.

I gave myself a day to heal after my christmas razor burn (not the worse I've seen, but it was impressive), and decided to do just the cheeks as the guide recommends; same problem, feels like it's pulling the hair rather than cutting the hair.

I know it's quite difficult to evaluate this via forum, but any of you guys' have suggestions? My first thoughts were to send this guy into Lynn for a personalized hone... I'd assume, regardless of the angle I cut (if I am doing it wrong newbie style), it shouldn't feel like it's 'pulling'. Thanks ya'll!

Welcome. That's a great lady you have there.

Line razors are never actually ready to save, regardless of their claim, close, but not there yet. There are a number of guys who can hone the razor for you here and I'm sure someone will chime in soon. I haven't got the time to keep my own razors in trim or I'd do it for you myself.

You do have a strop, yes?

X

Strop I do have (I bought the green paste, I have not found if I actually need all the differnt paste colors yet), but the directions on the new blade told me it wasn't needed my first shave... bad idea and I shouldn't have listened to "the art of shaving" label possibly?

And I agree, great lady- smart lady. She's gonna get a lot of nice dinners this month

It sounds like you need to send it off to get it honed. Might want to also get another razor as a back up for times like this. Check the classifieds for members services and also other razors. Good luck.

i agree with the others comments..send it out and get it honed and made shave ready and you will see a world of difference with the shaving...there are many on here that offer honing services. two i have experience with and recommend are treydampier and lynn abrams, both are great...good luck

I wouldn't be in a hurry to use those pastes. Right now all you need is a plain leather strop. Once you send your razor out and when it returns if the result still isn't to your expectations you will know its a technique thing and you just have to experiment with strokes and angles and pressure to get what's right for you. Just be patient.

Thanks guys', sounds like a unanimous decision here! I sent off an email, and it'll be mailed out to Lynne tomorrow morning from the office. I'll post up when I get it back if it was a success or if I've just got more of a learning curve to go.

Have a great week xman, JohnnyCakeDC, 59caddy, and thebigspendur

hold off on the paste for now (at least green). you can use yellow paste on you're daily strop
yellow has no abrasive it just conditions the strop, red has a very mild abrasive use this on you're second strop only when the edge starts to go maybe once a month (depending on razor use ) and the Green paste has abrasive that should rarely be used this should go on you're third strop or bench strop . Use the green paste after honing to polish the edge.
for now all you need is yellow , eventually you will get a case of SAD and end up with more strops then you now what to with , like the rest of us hahah
hope this helps

Originally Posted by razormike

hold off on the paste for now (at least green). you can use yellow paste on you're daily strop
yellow has no abrasive it just conditions the strop, red has a very mild abrasive use this on you're second strop only when the edge starts to go maybe once a month (depending on razor use ) and the Green paste has abrasive that should rarely be used this should go on you're third strop or bench strop . Use the green paste after honing to polish the edge.
for now all you need is yellow , eventually you will get a case of SAD and end up with more strops then you now what to with , like the rest of us hahah
hope this helps

Wow, I didn't even assume I'd be owning more than one strop! Makes sense though, I'm sure it's like tattoos, I won't be happy with just one.

You hit the nail on the head on that one .
if straight shaving is something you stick with (how could you not ) you will end up with so much stuff , razors , hones , strops, razor holders , soaps creams, oils , AS, and lots lots more . you're going to find you're self at the local antique store picking up busted razors , then you're you will end up with a bunch of restoration equipment , oh it's vicious cycle.. anyways have fun with it my friend

" Jeffe do you Know what a plethora is ? "