2nd straight shave and I'm not bleeding!

[Pumpkin]

I was going to wait until the weekend for my next straight shave, but having a pretty shave-ready straight waiting for me was just too much!

I've been doing some more practice stropping with my blunt cheap razor so I felt (reasonably) confident about a pre-shave strop with the French 4/8...this was slightly misplaced as I managed to put a nick in the edge on the second lap I think it was that infamous "back up" after rolling over! No super-glue handy so I took my new Gold Dollar to the little flap and removed it. I'm guessing that I'll need to sand the nick out to be safe but it's near the top of the strop and wasn't interfering with the rest of my laps.

I went with approximately 30 laps before shaving...is this sufficient?

The razor still feels nice and sharp and smooth so I've managed not to destroy Steve's great honing (yet)

My grip still feels unnatural (in either hand) so I took my strokes slow and steady! I'm still respecting the blade (I always will ) but knowing that it's not going to cut me to ribbons on it's own did help me to relax a bit more.

1 x WTG and 1 x W/XTG hybrid pass over most of my face left an okay result. I'd say "socially acceptable" for most, CCS for my cheeks. My left hand sideburn is slightly higher and has an angle now compared to my right one, but it's not too noticeable.

Chin down to my Adam's apple is again pretty good, sides of my neck are a bit patchy (left hand side again suffering from my less dominant hand).

2 small weepers, chin and right cheek...both stopped after a cold water splash

A couple of pointers to my fellow newbies:

Remember to stretch your skin...it makes getting a smooth, even stroke MUCH easier.

Relax (a bit). Yes, that blade's sharp but it needs to be to do it's work.

Will keep going with the 4/8 for now as we seem to be getting on okay. However, I am looking forward to getting the other razors shave-ready so that I can see whether size does matter!

 

[michiganlover]

Glad to hear your second shave went well.

It's fun to try out new razors, but at this point, I have enough problems shaving my upper lip with my 5/8; I don't want to worry about trying to fit an even bigger razor into that tight spot.

I think the advice we give most DE newbies holds true with straights as well: try to limit your variables as much as possible, so you can focus on developing your technique.

 

[Pumpkin]

I think the advice we give most DE newbies holds true with straights as well: try to limit your variables as much as possible, so you can focus on developing your technique.

That's cetainly my plan at the moment! It's a good job my "hobby allowance" has run out this month...otherwise I'd have 2 razors out being honed right now. This way I get to shave with just the one (for now)

 

[dod.e.ratherwell]

Awesome job Pumpkin! I finally got my first shave in and it went well...I have posted a thread with pictures! Next task...stropping!

 

[Russtopher]

Amen on developing technique. Last night was my second straight-razor shave, and I cut my left cheek pretty well. My first shave was nice and smooth, so I got over-confident and didn't pay enough attention to my blade work... big mistake. On the plus side, I now have a much greater respect for just how sharp the razor is, and how important good technique is.

 

[Luc]

Good work, I usually do 60 laps on the strop!

 

[mattbikes1]

Good to hear that your shaving is coming along well. I am also at the beginning of my straight razor learning curve and have one shave under my belt. Good to see that there are a few others in this "class". Will be looking for your subsequent posts and comparing notes. Enjoy your shaves.

 

[thecornerbooth]

Try doing different numbers of laps. 25, 50, 75, 100. I think i might not be stropping enough...

 

[Pumpkin]

3rd and 4th shaves have been incident free...still a bit patchy on my neck and under my jawline. Throat area around my Adam's apple is seeming (a bit) easier now. Couple of minor weepers that are gone after a cold splash.
Top lip seems to be straightforward with the 4/8, even the little ATG at the top of my filtrum....not sure how it will feel when I try a bigger razor!

Because I started out making a conscious effort to use both hands, the grip seems to be developing reasonably. It's still not intuitive but I do feel I'm making progress

Good work, I usually do 60 laps on the strop!

I've upped my laps...think I lose count after about 50!

The "sponge" trick for wiping off the blade (in my case I use a face cloth) is great! Keeps as big a distance as possible between the blade and the tap

No new nicks/cuts on the strop (so far), but I'm still taking it easy

 

[Luc]

Excellent work! I also love the sponge. My blade doesn't get as wet as before and, as you said, less chances to hit the straight on the tap or something!

 

[JPM]

Congrats!

 

[Pumpkin]

It might be a bit premature, but I'm definitely seeing improvement in my technique

Managed an almost nick free shave this morning...a slight nick on the point of my chin but there was no blood so I'm not counting it

Went 1xWTG then a 1xXTG on my cheeks (XTG from nose to ear), jawline is getting better...much easier using both hands as I can get a smooth stroke without my elbow blocking the view.

Did most of my neck WTG then a (careful) ATG up under my jaw, I'm missing a lot less and there was no irritation

Can't remember which thread it was in, but the tip about starting the stroke before making contact between blade and skin seems to be helping...it cuts down on the hesitant stuttering start on some of my earlier attempts.

I'm definitely a convert to the straight community!!

 

[Alacrity59]

And it only gets better. It is wonderful that there are so many of us learning straight shaving just now. I just passed the three month mark of solid straight shaving.

Mike

 

[michiganlover]

It might be a bit premature, but I'm definitely seeing improvement in my technique

Awesome Peter good to hear it!! Practice makes perfect as they say!!

P.S. My straight shave today was rather disastrous, you can read about it in my thread.

 

[Loner16]

I'm right there with 'ya Pumpkin...

Just finished my fifth straight razor shave. A few nicks yesterday, but perfect today!
I never felt such a close shave! Strokes with the left hand are a bit problematic, but already improving...

I'm glad to see so many others starting out also... I'm having a great time!

 

[raptorv562]

Great Dude! I,v got two Weeks on you and I'm Loven Every Shave!!! Chins Up my shaving Freind!

 

[Pumpkin]

Awesome Peter good to hear it!! Practice makes perfect as they say!!

A couple of hours later I'm finding a few extra bits I'd missed...corner of my mouth on right hand side and I obviously didn't stretch the wrinkle on the left enough...so it's not getting that good yet!

 

[Pumpkin]

With hindsight I probably should have done the same as John (Michiganlover) and kept this thread a bit more general...but that would have needed more work

Had my 8th straight shave this morning. It's definitely getting better and easier!!

Told SWMBO I was going to be using a straight so might be some time (if she needed me), but still locked the bathroom door (just in case ).

Kent's MWF applied with my new Omega 49 for a great lather.

Still just using my French 4/8 round point....I've already got a selection of razors to choose from but I'm resisting the urge to branch out until my technique improves.

I think my stropping still needs improvement, so for the sake of my skin I tried a "refresh" hone on a Chinese 12k last night (good job it's a slow stone, it's nicely therapeutic just sitting quietly honing). I'm not 100% sure if this helped the edge, or if my technique is getting a bit better, but it certainly seemed to make a difference

Had a tiny nick at the lower left hand corner of my mouth, but I think that was down to getting a bit complacent

I'm missing a lot less stubble with each stroke, great audible feedback as I was mowing down 2 day's worth of growth. It's probably more due the geometry of my face...but 1 x WTG and 1 x XTG gives me a DFS on my cheeks. Today I managed 1 x WTG and then 1 x ATG on my throat :woot: Previously with DE's I've just avoided ATG as I don't need it, but with a straight it worked nicely (with zero irritation).
Still have a few issues with my jawline and the point of my chin but that should get better as I figure out the angles and directions better.

One major change I've made is opening up the angle slightly (pulling the spine away from my skin), not sure if it's getting closer to 30 degrees but the razor feels like it's gliding better (previously, the razor felt like it was "sticking" a bit).

Didn't need the styptic at all (but it's staying close, just in case).

Finished off with a spray of generic Witch Hazel and a splash of Old Spice

EDIT: I realise my grip is still probably slightly unorthadox, but it feels more comfortable (in either hand)

 

[JPM]

Sounds like you're making good progress. Congrats!