Thread: First straight razor shave insights

Hi everyone! i´ve just had my first straight razor shave with my brand new dovo bismark 6/8, srd vetiver shaving soap and omega setola brush.
i have some insights on the experience:

1. it was something i was looking forward to do since i bough my razor from srd. i have to make an effort not to soccumb to it and rush straight into the shaving proces. i took my time and kind of followed a mental checklist of things to do before i shave. it all ended up quiet well. it was very enjoyable

2.stropping is not as difficult as i though it would be: after reading the forums, i though it would be trickier. i cant say right now if im doing it 100/100 right, but i did not nick or cut the strop and the blade´s edge seems unafected. i was very slow and thorough while at it. i think that might be one of the keys to succesfull stroping.

3. the blade is SHARP: sharp with capital leters. i could not believe how easily it removed the hair. i managed not tu nick my face. however, razor burn happened. nothing too terrible, but the pain was there. i think it did not irritate my face as much as the gillette mach 3 i used to use did, but i thought it would hurt a bit less.

4. i enjoyed it from beginning till end: it took up preparation an a great deal of concentration, but i think that´s the fun of shaving this way

5. results are subpar: having shaven wtg and atg, i could not manage to achieve results similar to the ones i used to get with my mach 3. i have to improve my technique, obviously

6. shaving the moustache is tricky. i could not get that part right and retouched with the gillette.

feel free to make recomendations, they will certainly be welcome

greeting to all from Buenos Aires, Argentina

happy shaving

Just watch your blade angles and don't apply any more pressure than the weight of the blade. That will help prevent the burn..

Also spend time with your pre shave preparation..
Enjoy

Welcom to our group. Looks like you are on track. Have fun with this and remember this is but a journey. Each of us learns a little more every time we use a ST8. You have excellent equipment, just do NOT rush. Take time and keep that blade almost flat to your skin. You will do well. Congratulations!!!

Try just doing the easy parts of your face initially and when you've got that so you get a good shave move on to the next area. It may take a few weeks however that's the way to do it.

i think i got the angle quiet right. i think of a few things that may have something to do with the razor burn:

1. i think i may have skipped something during prep: i took a hot shower, then lather up the face and waited a few minutes while i stropped the blade. i rinsed my face with how water, dryed up with a towel and then i re lathered.
i think i didn´t re-wet my face. is it absolutely essential to wet your face before lathering up and shaving?

2. Aespo; i can´t recall applying much pressure while shaving wtg. i think the atg part irritated me. it seemed like the blade was not cutting much hair, so i stretched the skin a bit more and put some pressure to the blade. do you have any recommendation regarding shaving atg?

thank you all for your support

Well ATG is always rougher I can not do it at all on my face no matter what I shave with..
Also sometimes you may not think you are applying pressure but you could be.
Lastly it is gradual hair reduction..not whacking it all off at once..it will get better. Even after i do two passes I don't get baby Smooth..hit I don't get burns either.
Just try to eliminate as many variable as possible.

It's good to see you didn't rush into it and cut yourself up, & that you didn't get discouraged when you had to touch up with the Gillette. You should get the hang of it pretty quick.

Suggestions:

1. Only do WTG strokes as you learn.

2. When you can shave WTG without any razor burn, start XTG (across-the-grain) strokes.

3. When you can shave WTG and XTG without razor burn, start ATG (against-the-grain) strokes.

For ATG shaving:

. . . The razor must be _really sharp_;

. . . The beard prep must be really good;

. . . Hold the blade almost parallel to your face. Lay it down flat, and lift the spine off your face until the edge _just starts_ to cut hair. That's the right angle to use.

And one other hint:

. . . Use a safety razor (either cartridge or DE) if you have to.

There's no shame in doing that.

. Charles

Don't even worry about a close shave at first! Concentrate on safety and on correct technique. It really sounds like you're on the right track, far ahead of where I was at the same point.
And welcome, the membership here is always willing to help, there is loads of information available.