Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    3
    Thanked: 0

    Default first straight shave... great success!

    This morning I went ahead and got in my first ever straight razor shave. It went well, all things considered.

    My razor is a new Dovo Bergischer Löwe 5/8 that I purchased from Royal Shave. I used Mitchell's Wool Fat shave soap with a best badger brush. Prior to shaving I stropped the razor slowly 20 times each on linen and leather, paying attention to blade angle to try to keep myself from rolling the edge.

    I used some Anthony Logistics pre-shave oil, then lathered, and started WTG on the right side of my face. I went slow, tried to keep the blade angle down, and made short strokes to start with.

    Overall my cheeks and neck went very well, and I only gave myself one nick on the left side when I was having trouble with how to hold and position the blade. The only spot that really gave me any trouble was my chin, which I gather is to be expected for a new shaver. It took me a couple passes to get everything clean.

    My face is, while not BBS, at LEAST as smooth as it ever was using my Fusion. I didn't do much of an ATG pass since I didn't want to push my luck. I used some witch hazel-based after shave balm but still have a little burning, which I would probably attribute to either my technique or not getting the lather just right. In any event, no ER visits necessary and a pretty good shave. I really like the detailed, focused aspect of the process. It's almost like a little bit of zen.

    I'm going to give my face a few days of rest and once I've got some good growth I'll go at it again and see if I can't figure out how to handle my chin...
    Last edited by macdaddysax26; 01-07-2011 at 03:10 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Slur's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Athens
    Posts
    898
    Thanked: 118

    Default


  3. #3
    eto
    eto is offline
    Member eto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    46
    Thanked: 6

    Default

    Nice job, and this is very zen stuff to say the least.

    The road ahead just will get better and better for you.

    enjoy.

  4. #4
    They call me Mr Bear. Stubear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Alton, UK
    Posts
    5,715
    Thanked: 1683
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    Congrats!

    It just gets better from here...! The pre shave prep is what really makes a difference I find and the better your prep is then the better your shave will be. Try a hot towel as I find these really make a difference!

  5. #5
    Member tavli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    100
    Thanked: 9

    Default

    Well done. Sounds a lot better than my first shave. You are right to go slowly and also about a Zen moment. Straight shaving is the most calming thing during my day - a moment of peace and tranquility.

  6. #6
    Still learning markevens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1,043
    Thanked: 240

    Default

    Congrats! That sounds like a very successful first shave. I also use MWF soap and love it.

  7. #7
    Member sgthuskey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    East of Cincinnati Ohio
    Posts
    57
    Thanked: 8

    Default

    Congrats and well done. Starting the day with the straight razor shave really gets the day off to a great start. Some people go and pay for this experience for special occations. We get it every day.

  8. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    2,697
    Thanked: 830
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Dat's da way ya doit!

    'Big Grats Mac!

    You had alot less blood than I did. You started w/ premium stuff - but that doesn't help much. Your attention to the shave paid off.

    I can only chime in that it gets better - A LOT better from here. Keep posting. 'Will be good to hear from ya.

  9. #9
    Customized Birnando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    5,079
    Thanked: 1694

    Default

    Sounds like a great start for sure.
    I actually started out with the very same razor, and you seem to have done a much better job than I
    Keep at it, it will only get better!
    Bjoernar
    Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years....


  10. #10
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    5,726
    Thanked: 1486

    Default

    Oh, well, sure, if you're going to use a Dovo Bergischer Löwe 5/8, your going to get a nice shave. That is practically cheating in the newbie world.

    You're supposed to buy a Chinese knockoff because you wanted to save money.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •