Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14
Like Tree2Likes

Thread: First Shave - Why so much stubble left?

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Queens,NY
    Posts
    22
    Thanked: 3

    Default First Shave - Why so much stubble left?

    Should there be a tremendous difference between how much a single pass with a straight removes and how much a DE removes? I did my first shave with a straight this morning. Last shaved yesterday so a normal amount of stubble. Shave ready vintage straight from a well regarded source. Followed instructions and did not strop it prior to first shave. First pass removed very little stubble, nowhere near what I'm accustomed to. Second pass similar. Finished with a DE. I tried to keep the proper angle, could it have been too shallow? Or too great an angle? I thought I was being pretty good with the angle although I was a little less cautious on the second pass, one weeper just below my lower lip. Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.

  2. #2
    I need to return some video tapes Minnebrew's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Saint Paul, MN
    Posts
    152
    Thanked: 15

    Default

    The best advice I have heard is that shaving with a straight or DE is more about preparation and more beard or stubble removal rather than shaving for clean face.

    Keep it up, you will learn plenty, you know a lot from reading but now you have to learn your face the best. Find what is fun and comfortable then let it bring you to how it take more and more beard off.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    91
    Thanked: 20

    Default

    My WTG passes leave quite a bit of stubble, but the XTG and ATG passes remove it rather quickly. I always start WTG to level the stubble out and make the XTG or ATG passes doable! Which direction were your original passes done?
    saitou likes this.

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

    mderenal (12-07-2012)

  5. #4
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    There is a learning curve with using a straight razor. Have you read the beginner's guide in the SRP library here ? Read Lynn's "First Straight Razor Shave."

  6. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by carpedm View Post
    My WTG passes leave quite a bit of stubble, but the XTG and ATG passes remove it rather quickly. I always start WTG to level the stubble out and make the XTG or ATG passes doable! Which direction were your original passes done?
    That is exactly what I am finding too. I think I do get more stubble removed with the first pass using a DE. At the end of 3 pass the result is very similar with a DE or straight though, a good close shave. The difference on the first pass is less now than when I started with straights so I am guessing as your technique improves you will also see less of a difference. Just switching to a straight won't guarantee an immediate better shave in the beginning if you are good with a DE in the first place.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  7. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Queens,NY
    Posts
    22
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by carpedm View Post
    My WTG passes leave quite a bit of stubble, but the XTG and ATG passes remove it rather quickly. I always start WTG to level the stubble out and make the XTG or ATG passes doable! Which direction were your original passes done?
    Mostly WTG, some XTG on my neck. Thanks, it helps to have something specific to try or keep in mind when I try again tomorrow.

  8. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    273
    Thanked: 43

    Default

    Keep at it. Using a straight takes a long time to adapt to. Angle, pressure, direction and even speed of travel play a big part. Beard prep is more important too.
    I have been using the straight for close to a year and I still haven't had the "perfect" shave.

  9. #8
    Senior Member tiddle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Oxford, Al
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanked: 407

    Default

    The first pass is kinda like clearing the brush, the second and third are like getting the stumps then roots... you know what I mean? Work on mapping your hair growth and go with that. I never go for complete BBS b/c it irritates my skin sometimes regardless of what I use to shave w/. Just focus on technique, comfort, and not looking like a battlefield casualty for now; the rest will just kind of come together w/ time and patience.
    MarkC likes this.
    Mastering implies there is nothing more for you to learn of something... I prefer proficient enough to not totally screw it up.

  10. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Queens,NY
    Posts
    22
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    Thanks for all the replies. It's interesting, you can read all kinds of things, watch videos, etc. but you never get the full sense of something until you actually do it.

  11. #10
    Senior Member Furcifer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    TEXAS
    Posts
    173
    Thanked: 36

    Default

    New to this, too, and insight seems to come from everywhere. Started with a Dovo stainless and now I just tried a C-MON Cadillac. Pretty significant difference - less irritation with the C-MON, but that could just be me getting better with each shave as well. Gotta go back to the Dovo now to confirm it. I only get one shot at this per day, so it's not like other pedagogical skills where you can double up and hit an acceptable plateau of results early. Everything in its due time...

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •