Thread: First shave results...I'm hooked!!!

Face full of stubble; one weeks worth. Check. Got my razor, Hans Otto, back from SRD with a freshly honed edge. Check. Got my 3" strop. check. Picked up an inexpensive brush, cup, and soap set, Van Der Hagen, from amazon. Check. After my initial want to start using a straight razor, and 4 weeks to research and get my items in order. I was ready for my first shave last night.

I gave the fresh honed blade a few laps on the strop. 1 small nick, but i think i found my Stropping comfort zone. For other newbies i will say using a strop, as well as shaving with the razor, was difficult to obtain the proper arm and wrist movements. It took me a a minute to figure out how to grip the razor and strop properly without the feeling like i was forcing my arm and hands to into submission. After I figured out the strop i moved on to my soap lather. This too was definitely not done perfect, but i had a lather that worked.

I lathered up my face, took the advice i have read on here, and started to shave my right side burn to my jaw line. Well i have to say it was WAY easier than i thought it was going to be. No blood dripping from my face, and the hairs were all gone. Unlike with the Gillette mach 5 blades i had no spots of hair that got missed, and the area I just shaved was darn smooth. I decided to continue, and after a few more stroke i had the right side of my face done. I do have a goatee, so i was able to skip the upper lip and chin areas.

One small barely bleeding nick on my lower neck I figured i have done darn well for a first shave, and decided to do the left side as well. I used my left hand, and did well on my left side, but it was quit difficult to get my left hand to do the shave movements like I was able to do with my right hand. Almost gave up on the left side, but i was able to get it done. I did use my right hand for a couple spots around my goatee, and i obtained about as good of a shave as I could with the mach 5 disposable blades.

I did only one pass WTG (with the grain), and...I AM HOOKED. I feel i have a bad case of RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder), and find myself looking for my next straight razor already. When I was done shaving I think my chest popped out a bit and grew a few more hairs. Definitely felt like "THE MAN" shaving with a straight razor.

BIG thanks to Lynn and Don at SRD for the hone, and all on here for the information and help getting started. I hope to be in baby skin soft face heaven in a couple weeks.

THANKS ALL

Congrats, glad it went so well for your first shave!

The quality of your shaves will only get better from this point forward and it will take less time to reach your goal of baby smooth shaves.

Face prep is a key factor, and watch your angles

Congrats on the shave. I would continue to watch when stropping. Most beginners wind up nicking their first strop. Give yourself sometime to get muscle memory and then you'll be OK. not having to shave under the nose and goatee area makes things nice for a beginner. Always remember the razor will bite you if you take it for granted. Go slow, be careful and good luck.

Don'tcha just love it when a plan comes together?

It just keeps getting better.

Stay focused but don't worry about it the blade will teach you.

Stay focused but don't worry about it the blade will teach you.

yep. my blade tought me today. and a lesson i wont forget. dont get in a hurry.