Brave New World

[emperorofantarctica]

First off, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who post to the forums making B&B such an excellent resource.

Just had my first straight razor shave and it went quite well--no cuts or the like. Did two passes and even went xtg; I didn't think I'd do that for at least a month. My chin is not as hair free as it should be, but I imagine that'll come with practice.

To be perfectly honest, I was a bit terrified at the prospect, but it is not terribly difficult and more importantly it is FUN AS HELL! I highly recommend it to any and everyone.

A couple questions:

1.) The razor was skipping/jumping a bit which I think may be from a poor lather (something else I need to work on), would this be a correct assumption?

2.) Also, as much research as I've done, I can't seem to get the stropping down as well as I'd like; anyone have any tips?

Thanks again!

Oh, I used:
A 1/4 grind, 6/8 Le Grelot
Tabac
Speick

 

[bearbear]

Hey. Having similar problems as a newbie. I've found the shaves better with my 5/8ths, just easier to get the angle and pressure right.

cheers.

 

[leighton]

I think full hollows and 5/8s are quicker to learn with, but...

Sounds like your off to a good start. Remember, you don't even remember your first SR shave after 6 years anyway.

 

[Bertilak]

I think full hollows and 5/8s are quicker to learn with, but...

Sounds like your off to a good start. Remember, you don't even remember your first SR shave after 6 years anyway.

Isn't that when the scars finally fade?

 

[leighton]

Isn't that when the scars finally fade?

You tell me.

 

[joshmpdx]

First off, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who post to the forums making B&B such an excellent resource.

Just had my first straight razor shave and it went quite well--no cuts or the like. Did two passes and even went xtg; I didn't think I'd do that for at least a month. My chin is not as hair free as it should be, but I imagine that'll come with practice.

To be perfectly honest, I was a bit terrified at the prospect, but it is not terribly difficult and more importantly it is FUN AS HELL! I highly recommend it to any and everyone.

A couple questions:

1.) The razor was skipping/jumping a bit which I think may be from a poor lather (something else I need to work on), would this be a correct assumption?

2.) Also, as much research as I've done, I can't seem to get the stropping down as well as I'd like; anyone have any tips?

Thanks again!
David

Oh, I used:
A 1/4 grind, 6/8 Le Grelot
Tabac
Speick

It is fun isn't it!!

there is something fully rewarding about shaving with a straight that DE's just don't accomplish.

your brush looks great, it has a little bit more of a bulb shape than most Rooney lofts.

RE your questions:
1. your lather could be adjusted, Tabac functions well with both slickness and cussion, but most likely (and hopefully someone with a little more experiance can chime it ) i would assume it's the slight amount of pressure that muscle memory will create after a few more shaves. - and using your left hand

2. your stop is one of the best out there, and as long as your using the spine roll over technique you'll be just fine. the TM Horsehide/Cotton is so smooth you're unlikely to have any issues like hurting the blade or reducing your edge.
- to test your skill and practice with pressure try sropping on a flat surface (like that fully baddass coffee table!) rather than from the hanging position.
- again, i don't feel like i have a handle on what im talking about and would certainly welcome a more experianced opinion.

 

[professorchaos]

Let's start by managing expectations: if you didn't cut yourself during your first shave with a straight, you accomplished a lot. In fact, that is all one can reasonably aspire to in their first shave. So congratulations.

Secondly, from where did you get your Le Grelot? At this stage of the game you need to take it on faith that your razor is shave ready. Doing so will allow you to focus exclusively on technique.

Thirdly, I find that skipping/jumping is due to improper angle or pressure. Experiment with adjusting both. With regard to pressure, it is true in a general sense that you don't want to use any. But you do need to use just enough so that the edge doesn't skip/jump over the stubble. This is especially true in the chin area. Don't even think of it as pressure. Rather as firm, decisive (but CAREFUL!) strokes.

Four: It is fun, isn't it? So don't worry about how well shaved you are. Just enjoy doing it. The good shaves will come if you are persistent.

 

[jlander]

Congratulations!! The first straight shave is very rewarding.

The skipping is most likely due to the angle and pressure. If you don't have any razor burn (or blood ) then you did very well. Don't worry about the first shave. Just keep practicing. They just keep getting better and the reward is worth the effort!

 

[burningdarkness]

Congrats on starting your journey. Keep at it and you'll be rewarded greatly. Tabac is a great soap with which to jump into straight shaving.

Let's start by managing expectations: if you didn't cut yourself during your first shave with a straight, you accomplished a lot. In fact, that is all one can reasonably aspire to in their first shave. So congratulations.

Secondly, from where did you get your Le Grelot? At this stage of the game you need to take it on faith that your razor is shave ready. Doing so will allow you to focus exclusively on technique.

Thirdly, I find that skipping/jumping is due to improper angle or pressure. Experiment with adjusting both. With regard to pressure, it is true in a general sense that you don't want to use any. But you do need to use just enough so that the edge doesn't skip/jump over the stubble. This is especially true in the chin area. Don't even think of it as pressure. Rather as firm, decisive (but CAREFUL!) strokes.

Four: It is fun, isn't it? So don't worry about how well shaved you are. Just enjoy doing it. The good shaves will come if you are persistent.

Henry's advice is great. Better than anything I could say.

 

[emperorofantarctica]

Let's start by managing expectations: if you didn't cut yourself during your first shave with a straight, you accomplished a lot. In fact, that is all one can reasonably aspire to in their first shave. So congratulations.

Secondly, from where did you get your Le Grelot? At this stage of the game you need to take it on faith that your razor is shave ready. Doing so will allow you to focus exclusively on technique.

Thirdly, I find that skipping/jumping is due to improper angle or pressure. Experiment with adjusting both. With regard to pressure, it is true in a general sense that you don't want to use any. But you do need to use just enough so that the edge doesn't skip/jump over the stubble. This is especially true in the chin area. Don't even think of it as pressure. Rather as firm, decisive (but CAREFUL!) strokes.

Four: It is fun, isn't it? So don't worry about how well shaved you are. Just enjoy doing it. The good shaves will come if you are persistent.

I got my Le Grelot from rasorpur, so I'm told that it's (and it seems to be) shave ready.

Thanks for all the feedback and kind words.

I'll try to be more firm on the next one, especially around the chin; with a healthy dose of caution, this first shave went from trepidation to excitement really quickly. For any other newbs out there, I can't stress enough just how fun this is!

 

[emperorofantarctica]

It is fun isn't it!!

there is something fully rewarding about shaving with a straight that DE's just don't accomplish.

your brush looks great, it has a little bit more of a bulb shape than most Rooney lofts.

RE your questions:
1. your lather could be adjusted, Tabac functions well with both slickness and cussion, but most likely (and hopefully someone with a little more experiance can chime it ) i would assume it's the slight amount of pressure that muscle memory will create after a few more shaves. - and using your left hand

2. your stop is one of the best out there, and as long as your using the spine roll over technique you'll be just fine. the TM Horsehide/Cotton is so smooth you're unlikely to have any issues like hurting the blade or reducing your edge.
- to test your skill and practice with pressure try sropping on a flat surface (like that fully baddass coffee table!) rather than from the hanging position.
- again, i don't feel like i have a handle on what im talking about and would certainly welcome a more experianced opinion.

It seems like a lot of people go back and forth as to using the left hand (since I'm a righty); do you think it's worth practicing switching hands in a week or two to really get in the habit? The main problem I found was that I had a few "blind spots", but it wasn't too bad solely with the right.

Thanks for the tips on stroping! It's just strange because some people use a pretty/very loose hold vs. very taut, so I'm not sure what's the best/proper way.

Thanks on the table, I don't think I'll be able to take it with me though; maybe next time I'll turn the lights on in the table to get a futuristic glow.

 

[tg16]

It seems like a lot of people go back and forth as to using the left hand (since I'm a righty); do you think it's worth practicing switching hands in a week or two to really get in the habit? The main problem I found was that I had a few "blind spots", but it wasn't too bad solely with the right.

Thanks for the tips on stroping! It's just strange because some people use a pretty/very loose hold vs. very taut, so I'm not sure what's the best/proper way.

Thanks on the table, I don't think I'll be able to take it with me though; maybe next time I'll turn the lights on in the table to get a futuristic glow.

For me, there was a shave where I started naturally switching hands. This happened somewhat naturally such as when I realized I was using my left hand on the right side for ATG. Don't sweat it, some things will happen naturally.

I see you're the Emperor of Antatctica. I'm the Czar OAG.