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Thread: First str8 shave

  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Default First str8 shave

    So today was the day! Got home from hobby/job and had a package waiting on my door step which included a strop and shave brush. I went inside, tore open the box like it was Christmas morning, and started preparing for my first shave. I took out my str8 and began stropping it, first on the felt then on the leather. It took a little getting used to since i bought such a huge blade, 7/8 wedge! After I finished, I washed my face, then applied a hot towel for a couple minutes, followed by an application of Art of shaving Pre shave oil. I let that sit while I took out my Frank silvertip brush and Jack Black Super Shave creme and built up a ton of lather, I couldn't believe how quick and thick it lathered up with the brush! I applied a hot towel for another couple minutes then applied my lather. Making small strokes with my razor I made my first WTG pass on my right cheek/jaw line. I was amazed in how smooth the pass was as well as my face afterwards. Instead of stopping there like I probably should have, I continued to the left side of my face. It didn't come out like the right side but I figured that was due to being right handed. I found it difficult to keep the same angle on the left side as I used on the right. I continued to my neck which took a couple minutes and some slight razor burn before I got that down. I moved on to my upper lip which was very difficult then tried at my chin... Wow, that was the toughest part! Since everything seemed fine, just a little tug on the left side which I chalked up to technique, I figured I'd try for an ATG pass, it became a little uncomfortable so I stopped there and finished with my crappy cartridge just to feel like the job was complete. Overall I have to say it wasn't bad, some parts of using a str8 were tougher than I expected but some parts were easier than I expected. I ended up with some serious razor burn in a couple small areas, kinda reminded me of the first time I picked up a razor and shaved as a teenager. I did notice some flaws in technique while I shave, like too much pressure at times and inconsistent angles at times, but I'm sure those are gonna be growing pains that will get better as I go along as long as I take it slow and pay attention. Even though I did end up with some razor burn and a couple tiny nicks, which only bled for a couple seconds then disappeared, I have to say the areas that I made the ATG pass came out smoother than any shave where ive used any other razor... Multi blade cartridge or DE saftey! For after care I applied some Jack Black face moisturizing lotion and Pinaud Clubman... Now I feel like a man.

    On a side note, when I received my stra8 in the mail last week, I tested it on a small area of my arm with out stropping since I didn't have my strop yet, and I cut like a knife through butter. After my shave I stropped the razor again, this time paying even more attention to my technique and not loosing count like I did Pre shave. I tested the razor in the same area of my arm as before with a dry ATG pass and it was a smoother experience than shaving my face. So I'm sure paying attention to my stropping technique, as I did post shave, and paying close attention to my shaving technique will yield a much better 2nd shave. I think I'll leave the 2nd shave at one WTG pass until I get a solid unified technique down for all areas of my face.
    Last edited by CDH6661; 06-14-2011 at 05:06 AM.
    mjhammer likes this.

  2. #2
    Knife Nut
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    Default

    sounds like you are up and running. enjoy

  3. #3
    Senior Member mjhammer's Avatar
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    Default

    Your on your way, mate!!! Good job. It takes some practice and experimenting. Try stropping 50 wool/felt/whatever and 100 leather *before* your shave, then let your razor sit overnight, actually its recommended 2 days so the metal will return to it's original shape before you strop again. I have a couple of razors to play with, so it's easier for me to leave them sit for a couple of days before I strop them again.

    I don't strop them *after* I shave for a couple of days. I dry them, oil them up, and put em in my roll until I"m ready to use that razor again, then I strop the heck out of em, and use em right away.

    I think you'll find the edge much smoother to your face. Once you get the right angle down that is.

    Try that and let me know...

    Good luck!!

    M
    ​-- Any day I get out of bed, and the first thing out of my mouth is not a groan, that's going to be a good day --

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to mjhammer For This Useful Post:

    MrImperial (06-15-2011)

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