Another first timer

[DrColossus11]

Well today I am officially a Straight shaver! Got a Duck in the mail from Jorge (pelicano) this afternoon. I patiently waited for the fiance to go out for the evening so I would not be bothered. Whipped up a nice Proraso lather and got busy!

First thoughts were, "Damn this is scary!". Once I touched the blade to my face all the anxiety went away. I managed a decent shave with no nics and no irritation. I did have a little pulling on some areas of thick growth, but I attribute that to blade angle. Can't wait for tomorrow's shave already!

I'm sure many questions will be coming at you guys so thanks in advance.

 

[Luc]

Good work on the first shave!

Sounds like you had a great first experience!

 

[johnmrson]

Excellent. Another straight shaver in the world.

 

[BladeRunner001]

Welcome to the world of straight shaving Jay ...congrats on your first dip in the pool. It's actually very much addicting.

 

[Shangas]

You may fire when you are ready, Jay. I know I had a hell of a lot of questions when I first started.

Curiously enough, though, I don't recall being scared when I started straight-shaving. I was disappointed and frustrated at the results, that was for damn sure...but I don't ever recall being actually scared. Probably because I was so excited to see how things would turn out.

 

[Owens187]

. . . I was disappointed and frustrated at the results, that was for damn sure...but I don't ever recall being actually scared.

I was flippin' terrified my first time!

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Awesome...congrast Jay and welcome to the wonderful world of str8s!

 

[DrColossus11]

Thanks guys. Decided to take the day off today. Last night I noticed a little burn on my chin and I want that to clear up before I shave again.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Thanks guys. Decided to take the day off today. Last night I noticed a little burn on my chin and I want that to clear up before I shave again.

Always a smart move my friend! Discretion is the better part of valor!

 

[TThunder]

Ah Jay ;; U da man
You have taken to this like a duck to water....
It does my heart good to say (I really know that guy)
and mean it....You will have a lot more peaks than
valleys, take my word for it....but you will have that valley
now and again.....I am going to have a great xmas present
for you.....keep up the good work and we will all stay tuned...
God Bless
Duke

 

[DrColossus11]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Just finished up my second straight shave. I noticed more pulling around my chin. I have yet to strop the blade at the suggestion of Larry. I might have to give it a strop before the next shave. I did some touch ups with the DE and then a few more with the Duck just to get the feel for it. Man, that chin and jawline is a little scary. No nics or weepers again. Very little if any irritation or burn, yet. We'll see if any shows up later.

Now the questions.

What is a good blade angle to shoot for?
Should I be doing long fluid strokes or shorter strokes like with a DE?
Audible feedback, How much is too much?

Thanks.

 

[instpasr]

Welcome to the club.

 

[JohnnyC]

Welcome to B&B from another fellow FNG

 

[Shangas]

What is a good blade angle to shoot for?
Should I be doing long fluid strokes or shorter strokes like with a DE?
Audible feedback, How much is too much?

I never understood how people figured out blade-angles on a blade they can barely see. I reckon my angle is about 30-35-40 degrees, but I wouldn't vouch for that.

I advise shorther strokes to begin with. If you screw up, you screw up a small area. Not your whole face. Once you're more confident, then you can try longer strokes.

I never knew there was such a thing as too much audiable feedback.

 

[Luc]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Just finished up my second straight shave. I noticed more pulling around my chin. I have yet to strop the blade at the suggestion of Larry. I might have to give it a strop before the next shave. I did some touch ups with the DE and then a few more with the Duck just to get the feel for it. Man, that chin and jawline is a little scary. No nics or weepers again. Very little if any irritation or burn, yet. We'll see if any shows up later.

Now the questions.

What is a good blade angle to shoot for?
Should I be doing long fluid strokes or shorter strokes like with a DE?
Audible feedback, How much is too much?

Thanks.

Blade angle, ~30 degrees. Spine almost touching you, blade almost flat.

Long or short strokes, depends what you prefer. Since you're starting, I would recommend short strokes. It easier to focus on stretching the skin and then do a small stroke.

Audio? Depends, I don't know what would too much be? The razor will make a sound while cutting the hair and that's pretty much it. The bigger the blade, to more noise.

 

[kg4ghn]

Keep it up!

 

[DrColossus11]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just had my third shave today. I starting to doubt the sharpness of this razor. Not that it wasn't sharp when I received it, more that it is still sharp. I tired stropping it and I think all I acheived was putting a nic in the strop and dulling the blade. Half way through the shave I abbandoned the Duck and switched to a Fromm hair shaper and that thing mowed through my stubble. Going to lay off the straight until this weekend when I can give it a few hundred laps on some newspaper.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

As has been said in other threads...you can very likely dull the blade either in stropping or shaving when you are starting out.

Dont hesitate to send that razor out for a touch up if you feel it needs it!

Best of luck

 

[DrColossus11]

As has been said in other threads...you can very likely dull the blade either in stropping or shaving when you are starting out.

Dont hesitate to send that razor out for a touch up if you feel it needs it!

Best of luck

Yeah, that's what I figured. It being my first straight I have no idea how far off it is. I have a blade en route to Jose for some honing, so I might wait til that one comes back to compare the two.

 

[DrColossus11]

Just tried the HHT and it failed miserably. Looks like I'll be send int off for some touch ups soon.