Thread: First Shave Completed

Originally Posted by dustoff003

Well just like the title says, I completed my first SR shave this morning, I did not do the best shave ever but I am not a bloody mess either, no cuts only two nicks. My razor a Dovo Natural 5/8 seemed to cut well although I have nothing to compare it to it seemed to want to hang on the mustache area and the chin, probably just my technique though. I know with a shave ready razor (from SRD) I should have just shaved with it but I did not I gave it a few laps on the strop the other day. Not because it needed it because I could not keep myself from not doing it. I hope that I did not prematurely dull it? I realize that I have to really work at this whole art to master the required skill set. I did most of my face only going with the grain. I used both hands of which both were shaking like leaves though. My two nicks were one each under each nostril.

My pre shave consisted of me washing my face with hot water, lathering, hot towel two times for a minute each, then re-lathering and starting to shave.

I noticed my lather initially seemed okay but then it got dry. I am using the unscented SRD soap. I shaved a little and then I reapplied lather here and there as necessary.

Like I mentioned above I shaved most of my face at least one pass with the grain and then, I figured I would quit while I was ahead. I finished/touched up with my Mach 3. I chose not to rise my razor under the tap but instead to wipe it on a towel, that is okay right?

Post shave was cold water rise, styptic pencil to the two nicks, rub with Witch Hazel, then finished with Aqua Velva.

All and all it was a good and enjoyable experience, I am happy with my choice to start shaving with a Straight Razor. When my vintage Faultless razor arrives I will give it a try also and then I have something to compare the Dovo to.

I know the nostril thing. The only place I have nicked yet is beneath my nostrils but I have only shaved 5 or 6 times. Sounds like you did a real good job. I did not shake but maybe take a few deep breaths before you do it next time. One day I had like 5 or 6 red bulls and went to shave and was shaking so bad I had to stop lol. The chin is still a problem area for me. I have to make multiple passes and it seems my blade has a very hard time cutting it. I shave at just about every angle on my chin and have yet to get a really close shave there.

Originally Posted by ccase39

I know the nostril thing. The only place I have nicked yet is beneath my nostrils but I have only shaved 5 or 6 times. Sounds like you did a real good job. I did not shake but maybe take a few deep breaths before you do it next time. One day I had like 5 or 6 red bulls and went to shave and was shaking so bad I had to stop lol. The chin is still a problem area for me. I have to make multiple passes and it seems my blade has a very hard time cutting it. I shave at just about every angle on my chin and have yet to get a really close shave there.

See post ten on page one for a progress update.

Originally Posted by dustoff003

I am one month in to Straight Razor Shaving now and I just got my second razor yesterday from gssixgun, today was its first shave in probably 40 plus years. Up until today I have been using my Dovo Natural from SRD http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ed-my-kit.html it was nice to use a vintage blade with a family connection, see http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...andfather.html

Prep: Hot shower
Soap: ARKO Shave Stick
Brush: My only one Simpson B4 Beaufort Pure Badger
Razor: The "Faultless"
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Skin Bracer AS, and Nivea sensitive post shave balm

The end result was a DFS 85% BBS (still working on the hollows of my neck), the razor shaved like butter it effortlessly cut through my whiskers. I had probably my best shave yet I don't know if it was me minding the point, Poppy's hand guiding mine, or Glen's awesome work, I think it was all of the above. The Faultless had a wonderfully smooth edge, now I know that my Dovo Natural is getting dull since I have something to compare it to now. I can now send the Dovo off to Lynn for its free honing after one month of service to a beginner I think that it is ready for it. I think I prefer the vintage razor to the modern one.

Cool to see how you have progressed. I am still having to take it slow stropping. Hopefully by a month I will be close to where you are.

Originally Posted by ccase39

Cool to see how you have progressed. I am still having to take it slow stropping. Hopefully by a month I will be close to where you are.

Hang in there buddy. I got lackadaisical two nights ago while stropping and put a nice nick in my strop.

Ed, you are off to a good start. Congratulations for advancing so far in one month. Give it time and patience. You'll be hooked on SR shaving before you know it. All the best.

Randy

Originally Posted by WhiteLion

Ed, you are off to a good start. Congratulations for advancing so far in one month. Give it time and patience. You'll be hooked on SR shaving before you know it. All the best.

Randy

Oh I am pretty sure that I am hooked already, thanks for the well wishes.