First shave. Hopeless, and not keen on trying again.

[Drubbing]

What a horrible experience; after 7 months of DE shaving, which I've got pretty confident with, and get great results, I succumbed to the lure of a straight. I got a decent German bladed starter from BST, and some general reading around on straight topics revealed the member who sold to me is fairly well regarded for his honing, which filled me with confidence the blade would be ready to go. So this first shave was post hone, and not stropped, as I didn't think that was necessary before a shave, based on what I'd read.

I am competent at lathering, but used Tabac to be safe, as it's always the smoothest. But I can use any soap at all and get smooth, comfortable results.

I've watched and read much of the tutes and hoped that I'd have a fair crack at it, and the worst that would happen is a poor shave. 4 cuts and a red, irritated neck later, I'm already put off the whole idea. I gave up after trying in vain to remove anything from my chin, and finished with my DE.

Very disappointed, as I never expected such a negative experience. There's no way I could do this daily to learn, as I simply don't have that time in the morning to do it; an incomplete (re-lathered) first pass took nearly half an hour.

I have 2 main problems.

1. Holding the blade is awkward, and despite taking the proper grip and changing hands, adjusting the scales every which way, almost impossible to get a grip where I could actually see what I'm doing – and then keep the blade as flat as possible.

2. Skipping and tugging like nothing I've experienced. I seriously doubt this blade is truly shave ready. I kept it as flat as possible, almost to the point where it was sliding and barely cutting, and it still skipped everywhere.

So, is holding and gripping the blade a difficult skill to get competent at? I never thought this would be my main problem. I thought the biggest hurdle would be working the blade around my face to shave, not actually being unable to find a way to hold it to do so.

Does this blade sound shave ready, and/or should it have been stropped?

Unless I find out what may need doing with the blade, I'm really not keen at having another go at this, as once I get the blade at a nice shallow angle, cutting is nothing near as smooth or sharp as a DE blade.

 

[Zenas]

I'm using a disposable straight razor as practice , hoping to get good enough to justify buying a real deal straight.

The experience you describe is exactly the experience I had today. However, for the past two days I was using a blade I had useda couple of times already, and had no problems. I put a new blade in today and I look like I lost a knife fight. I have probably upwards of around 15 various nicks, with one rather large gash on the side of my face (I did not move the blade sideways.) My results vary so much from day to day. I'm trying to stick with it though and get the hang of it. I would really, really like to invest in a "real" straight and have good, smooth, enjoyable shaves every day.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I also tried shavette first. Had a nick of about an inch on the cheek everytime I tried (twice, had to wait a week in between to heal). Then I bought a Lord Tech (with the Merkur head) and some Lord blades. Had a great shave, no blood, no cuts, no weepers, nothing! So I decided that straight / shavette is not for me and sticked with DE.

 

[Zenas]

I have to do it.

 

[Haber Dashing]

Ever since I've been using a double edge I've known that eventually I will pick up a straight and try that as well. I have not as of yet ever used a straight razor but I am pretty sure that my first few shaves with it are going to be quite rough. That said, I have already experienced just such a horrible shave with a double edge. But if I gave up on it as quickly as it sounds like you have now I would never have known how much better it could be then what I was doing before. I think you should stick with it. You'll have a few rough dances with the razor but in the end it will probably pay off. Short of a trip to the E.R. you shouldn't let a straight razor push you around. Man up! And be all the guinea pig for me you can be. (That way I know, if you can do it I can drop the skirt and put my own pants on and give straight raz'ing a try) HA!

 

[Drubbing]

Ever since I've been using a double edge I've known that eventually I will pick up a straight and try that as well. I have not as of yet ever used a straight razor but I am pretty sure that my first few shaves with it are going to be quite rough. That said, I have already experienced just such a horrible shave with a double edge. But if I gave up on it as quickly as it sounds like you have now I would never have known how much better it could be then what I was doing before. I think you should stick with it.

Mate, I can handle learning to manoeuvre the blade, working the grip changes, and learning with my other hand and whatnot - but I'm far from convinced this blade is shave ready. I wanted to read what others thought.

I never saw a reason to give up on learning a DE, because I never got a shave as poor or as rough as this, with even my worst blades and the relatively poor lather of my DE newb days.

 

[bazwalk]

You obviously are on the ball re: prep, lather etc. I think you may be trying too much at one go. The barber who taught me told me to just shave one cheek first (the dominant hand side ) until I was used to handling the blade. Then move to the other cheek with the other hand followed by progressively the neck, upper lip and chin.
I did this and managed ok until the chin - bloodbath- was getting too overconfident. Still learning, but each shave getting better - almost to Merkur 39C/Feather standard. Keep going, its worth it in the end.

 

[richmondesi]

Yeah, I'd agree that it sounds like the razor is not shave ready... There are several members who are willing to help you remedy that situation if you simply PM them

 

[Haber Dashing]

My sincerest apologies if my offhanded humor came off as even remotely close to offensive. I really want to try straight shaving, and I honestly think that my first foray into straight shaving will be as rough if not worse as what you described. I was trying to say that if you stick with it things will probably turn around. You should probably trust your instinct. If you feel the blade is in need of some honing/stropping then you are probably right. BTW, what razor did you opt for, was it particularly expensive, and how long did the previous owner have it before he sold it to you?

 

[Drubbing]

My sincerest apologies if my offhanded humor came off as even remotely close to offensive. BTW, what razor did you opt for, was it particularly expensive, and how long did the previous owner have it before he sold it to you?

No problem, none taken and I hope you drop the skirt soon and join the rest of us doing it tough

It's a vintage German blade @ $40, not a 'name' brand. No idea how long the member had it, and I'm not naming him, he's seems a good bloke and people have spoken well of the blades he's onsold, and his honing.

Therein lies the disappointment; this blade won't cut, and it was sold as shave ready, which is what I wanted. I had enough confidence and a steady enough hand to try differnt angles, hence that's why the whole thing took so long, I was trying to find angle that would cut, and couldn't.

Thanks baz, but I couldn't even get anything much off with a WTG pas on my cheek, which is the dooziest stroke for me.

Thank Paul, I'm in Aus, so I'll check our local social group for honing contacts.

Just wanted to get some idea of whether it's me or the blade. I can try stropping it, but I gather you can't put an edge on a blade with the leather anyway, so I don't see how this would help.

 

[Leon]

Oh boy, where to start...

So this first shave was post hone, and not stropped, as I didn't think that was necessary before a shave, based on what I'd read.

You must strop everytime before shaving.

Very disappointed, as I never expected such a negative experience. There's no way I could do this daily to learn, as I simply don't have that time in the morning to do it; an incomplete (re-lathered) first pass took nearly half an hour.

Don't try to learn in a hurry during the morning. You need time and have to be relaxed. Try it during weekend or at night.

1. Holding the blade is awkward, and despite taking the proper grip and changing hands, adjusting the scales every which way, almost impossible to get a grip where I could actually see what I'm doing – and then keep the blade as flat as possible.

Just use the thumb below and the index and middle finger above the shank, that's it. The shank is the equilibrium point.

2. Skipping and tugging like nothing I've experienced. I seriously doubt this blade is truly shave ready. I kept it as flat as possible, almost to the point where it was sliding and barely cutting, and it still skipped everywhere.

No, the blade is not shave ready at all.

So, is holding and gripping the blade a difficult skill to get competent at? I never thought this would be my main problem. I thought the biggest hurdle would be working the blade around my face to shave, not actually being unable to find a way to hold it to do so.

Again, just use the thumb below and the index and middle finger above the shank, that's it. The shank is the equilibrium point.

Does this blade sound shave ready, and/or should it have been stropped?

The blade doesn't sound shave-ready at all. Strop ALWAYS.

Unless I find out what may need doing with the blade, I'm really not keen at having another go at this, as once I get the blade at a nice shallow angle, cutting is nothing near as smooth or sharp as a DE blade.

Practice is all you need. Oh, and a shave-ready razor.

 

[Leon]

It's a vintage German blade @ $40, not a 'name' brand.

I honed one of these this weekend. Used the naguras on the naniwa hones and it got a very, very smooth edge. I was surprised.

 

[Drubbing]

Don't try to learn in a hurry during the morning. You need time and have to be relaxed. Try it during weekend or at night.

Thanks for all your responses. I did just that for this suggestion. I shaved in the evening and took my time, I wasn't in any hurry at all. I couldn't hurry because the blade wouldn't travel smoothly anywhere.

 

[Seraphim]

Wht not PM the guy you purchased it from, and ask about the honing? Did the ad say "shave ready"? $40 for a decent shave ready straight is a super bargain. Alot of razors at that price point may, or may not actually be shave ready. As I said, see what the guy you bought it from says about it all.

Did you strop it before shaving? EDIT: I see now that you did not. I had a concern that maybe you rolled the edge or something...

Don't give up!

 

[tlanning]

Oh boy, where to start...


You must strop everytime before shaving.


Don't try to learn in a hurry during the morning. You need time and have to be relaxed. Try it during weekend or at night.


Just use the thumb below and the index and middle finger above the shank, that's it. The shank is the equilibrium point.


No, the blade is not shave ready at all.


Again, just use the thumb below and the index and middle finger above the shank, that's it. The shank is the equilibrium point.


The blade doesn't sound shave-ready at all. Strop ALWAYS.



Practice is all you need. Oh, and a shave-ready razor.

+1 on everything. Especially the fact that your Razor is not shave ready. Invest in some help at first there and don't give up.

 

[Drubbing]

Wht not PM the guy you purchased it from, and ask about the honing? Did the ad say "shave ready"? $40 for a decent shave ready straight is a super bargain. Alot of razors at that price point may, or may not actually be shave ready. As I said, see what the guy you bought it from says about it all.

Did you strop it before shaving? EDIT: I see now that you did not. I had a concern that maybe you rolled the edge or something...

Don't give up!

Yes, they were advertised as shave ready, and I specifically looked for blades that were such. He said he'd pre-honed it, and would also touch it up for a first timer too. I have PMd him about my experience.

No I didn't strop it, as I though once honed it was good to go, and having no experience at doing so, didn't want to roll the edge on the first outing.

But it feels definitely blunt to me, and I worked all the angles to find out.

 

[Amer]

I'd try stropping it. I just started last week and my first shave with a shave ready razor without stropping it was very rough. The razor was sharp enough to pop my sideburn hairs, but when I shaved it was pulling quite a bit. Since I stropped it and been getting better a stropping, it's been sharper than the day before every time and I can now go XTG and ATG with it pretty smoothly.

 

[Shredder]

I dont think theres much benefit to stropping a blade that has been properly sharpened. Your decision to try it as is, was the right one imho. Unfortunately, everything you write points towards a dull blade. Spare yourself the disappointment, frustration and blood and hve it properly sharpened before trying again. You cant just stop after one attempt, you really seem to want to get into it. You must have known that its not a simple thing to learn, so how could you expect to master the technique instnatly?

I can assure you that learning to shave with a straight takes a while, and while you are learning, you are going to get frustrated over and over. On the other hand, once you can shave yourself without any disposable blades, that has a special quality to it. The shave itself doesnt have to be especially smooth, perfect, free of irritation to make it somthing special - the fact that you can do it with a straight razor is by itself a big reward.

 

[Drubbing]

I dont think theres much benefit to stropping a blade that has been properly sharpened. Your decision to try it as is, was the right one imho. Unfortunately, everything you write points towards a dull blade. Spare yourself the disappointment, frustration and blood and have it properly sharpened before trying again. You cant just stop after one attempt, you really seem to want to get into it. You must have known that its not a simple thing to learn, so how could you expect to master the technique instnatly?

Thanks for the encouragement. Just a major disappointment. I know this is difficult to learn, but I expected to be able to complete a shave, and a far sharper blade with which to do so. I contacted the seller and he'd honed and stropped before sending it.

It's always possible the blade is adequate, but unspectacular, and my expectations and technique suck badly. I'll work on both before deciding what to do with it.

 

[Zenas]

I encourage you to keep at it. I am. There are thousands of men, both better and worse than I, who were able to master shaving with the straight. Surely I can get it too, and you can as well. It just takes determination and possibly losing a pint or two of blood.