Thread: First few shaves... and a few questions

Thanks pinklather for the tips as well. I'd like to think that the blade isn't dull already... I've only shaved twice and although I probably didn't have a great stropping technique, I did strop it only three different times, making sure to keep the blade very light and flat with the spine touching.

Thanks for the offer to sharpen it, but I actually live on the east coast, far away from Vancouver, although my barber told me yesterday that there's a guy called Mr. Edge that comes to the farmer's market downtown once a week that could hone my razor for a price. But I also have a coupon from SRD for a free honing when I do need it. I'm definitely not going to hone it myself until I really know what I'm doing and even then I'll practice first on a less expensive razor.

As for nicks and cuts, is a stylic pencil enough or should I put neosporin on it too? It's not like they hurt or anything and none of the cuts are deep at all. Just got kind of a lengthy one on my cheek when I was doing a pass against the grain and coupled with a slightly trembling hand and frustrations at the "pulling," I sliced into the skin a bit.

And yeah, you're right I did rush into the procedure and did about 90% of my face at first when I should have just done the side burns and cheeks, but going with the grain was so easy and the neck was way easier than I thought it would be - absolutely no cuts on the neck, I just didn't get a really close shave. So I'll ease back a bit and forget about doing the chin and some other problem areas until I get used to it more.

Also had an additional question about the lather, as I want to get it just right. I got one of those soaps from SRD and I have a mug, but I can't take the soap out of the plastic jar it came in and put in the mug like suggested, so what should I do? I've just been kind of making the lather in the soap jar directly and holding it so it drips in the mug, but that doesn't seem right at all.

I get resistance ATG, much more than WTG. I use a thinner lather for ATG, I find that's what's needed for me...

From one beginner to another, I suggest you to ease up on the pressure. Makes a whole lot different. In my case it was the razor burn and not the nicks. After some good guys in here suggested to put a really light pressure while shaving, I find the whole experience very different. I can even do 3-4 times ATG and still be fine. Oh, and be sure to stretch the skin, really helps with the pulling/ drag especially on the cheeks. Good luck!!

Sounds like you've gotten a great deal of good advise so far, so I'll just add one more thing to think about.

With regards to angles, as you move from WTG to XTG to ATG are you progressively lowering your angle??

I think most would agree that you need to. Personally, by the time I am shaving ATG the blade is almost laying flat on my face.

Also, rather than a straight stroke, perhaps you would manage better with a guillotine or heel/toe leading stroke. All that would do is change the angle that the blade meets the hair, so instead of trying to plow through the hair it contacts it at more of a slicing angle. Here: Shaving passes - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Hope it helps!

Matt

Thanks! I'll definitely try to stretch the skin out some more and angle the razor down more when I do XTG and ATG, because I've been keeping it at around 30 degrees the whole time.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

Thanks! I'll definitely try to stretch the skin out some more and angle the razor down more when I do XTG and ATG, because I've been keeping it at around 30 degrees the whole time.

Aha - that sounds like it could be the issue.
Let us know how things progress for you

Just had my third shave and yes, it was my best and closest so far. Only one nick by the chin and a lot less pulling (I angled the razor down almost to 0 degrees AGT and put a lot less pressure on it). Had to do a lot more passes for a close shave and I did eventually have to run over some trouble spots with my electric Remington to get rid of some of the remaining stubble but so far it's been working.

Thanks everyone for the tips! I can see myself getting better with just my third shave... hopefully I get the technique down after a few more practices. Basically what I believe helped the most was angling the razor below 30 degrees, putting very little pressure on it, and one of the most helpful things was getting VERY CLOSE to the mirror so I can actually see the blade cutting the hairs - this helped out the most because before that it was all "guess and check."

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

Also had an additional question about the lather, as I want to get it just right. I got one of those soaps from SRD and I have a mug, but I can't take the soap out of the plastic jar it came in and put in the mug like suggested, so what should I do? I've just been kind of making the lather in the soap jar directly and holding it so it drips in the mug, but that doesn't seem right at all.

Hmmm... Are you building lather directly in the soap jar? If you are then you probably aren't getting your best lather. You need to load soap on your brush from the soap jar and then lather either on your face or in your mug.

The suggestion to put the soap in your mug is for face lathering only. You would then load your brush from your soap mug and face lather. Done this way the mug would just be a nicer container for your soap.

Had my 2nd shave today and my experience is closely matching yours. As far as the quality of the blade, I'm not too worried since there are areas that are shaving almost effortlessly. So I can only conclude that the blade is fine and the hard parts just need more learning and experience.