First Straight Shave

[fsturnz]

Hi, all! I've been a DE shaver since only the beginning of the year, and I've been loving this new lifestyle. So much so that I thought I'd give a staraight razor shave a try. I bought a good blade from the BST here...thank you to noahpictures!

Yesterday was my first attempt at using the straight razor. It wasn't nearly as smooth as I would have thought. I tried different angles, and kept the spine fairly close to my face to keep the angle down. Still, it tugged a little more than I would have thought. Just shaved my cheeks on both sides, then finished with my DE. Today, I did my cheecks and then attempted the easier parts of my neck...then finished again with my DE. Stropping is fairly straight forward...I've been around tools and blades most of my life, so I got the hang of it fairly quickly. Thinking back, I'm wondering if maybe my soap was a little too dry on my face. So next time, I'll pay more attention to that.

Both shaves, I must admit, were fairly close...better than I've been getting with just the DE. I found myself touching my cheekes all day long! I think I could really get used to this! I was only going to use the straight on the weekends when I have more time, but I think to learn I'm going to try to use it during the week as well...maybe just for certain parts of my face.

I watched Chimensch's video a dozen times, among others, and tried to get the idea of the techniques. I made the decision to use both hands from the start, and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. The most difficult thing for me was finding the right angle to be able to see the edge of the blade as I started from my sideburn and worked down. My hand and the razor get in the way. I saw that Chimensch holds the blade from behind the ear, and I tried that, but couldn't get close enough to my ear when holding the razor that way. But I'll figure it out!

I think I'm going to like this straight razor shaving once I get the hang of it...but don't expect me to give up my DE's!

Thanks to all of you for making this a great site, and being so generous with your knowledge!

 

[hillbilly]

Welcome! Sounds like your off to a running start. Your right about finding out how the lather works best for you. Lets see that blade.

 

[Big Nick]

Don't over estimate your stropping abilities. I've ruined several edges in the quest to learn how to shave with a straight razor. A year from now, you'll look back and think to yourself, "Wow, it's a wonder I ever got a good shave when my stropping was that bad." LOL!

kudos on using both hands right off the bat. So many are afraid of their left hands that they don't ever even try it with their off hand. Stick with it, and I guarantee you'll forget all about those DE's.

 

[Slash McCoy]

More water in your lather. What soap are you using? What brush?

If there is an Indian grocery near you, see if they have Godrej cream. It is really slick and it is cheap. KMF isn't bad, but not as good as Godrej. But KMF can be found at most drugstores, target, walmart, etc. Want a SICK slick lather? Melt a puck of VDH in a large porcelain coffee mug. 20 to 25 seconds in the microwave will usually do it. Watch it carefully, and stop it immediately if it foams up or you will have a mess. Let it cool and solidify in the mug. When you are ready to shave, squeeze out a blop of Godrej the size of a pinto bean in the center of the soap. Soak your brush (badger, of course, at least 26mm) in very hot water. Flick it once to clear the excess. Swirl it around on the soap and cream about 60 orbits and apply to your wet face. If your lather is too dry, drizzle a little hot water into your upturned brush, and work it into your face lather. Keep going until your lather is wet and heavy. Strop your razor and shave shave shave.

Giving up your DEs is giving up your training wheels. Your skill will improve when you go for it. A bird only learns to fly when it leaps or is pushed from the nest. A kid only learns to swim when he is thrown in the lake. A straight shaver only truly BECOMES, when he stops using his DE or other shave method. You can always keep it and return to it occasionally for sentimental reasons, but don't let it be your crutch if you want to master the straight.

 

[fsturnz]

So here are pics of the razor:View attachment 328363View attachment 328364
Thanks again to noahpictures, I love the razor. And I think it was a good choice for my first.

My soap was Proraso red, and my brush was an Omega silvertip. On day one, I used Razorock shave gel as my preshave treatment, and on day two it was Neutrogena Shave cream. I've been pretty good with these combinations in my DE shaving, but I think I was taking more time than normal, and the soap must have started drying on my face, because it wasn't nearly as slick as I'm used to.

Big Nick, thanks for the advice on the stropping...maybe I'm a little overconfident there for a noob...but I am taking it slow and watching the pressure. The last thing I need is to dull a perfectly good razor my first week out! I'm pretty good at sharpening my woodworking tools, but I'm not ready yet to hone a razor...but soon, I plan to master that as well!

Slash McCoy, I plan on going back and forth with my DE's and straights...at least that's what I'm thinking for now anyway. I love my DE's and have collected several good old Gillettes that I just love. But I can see myself picking up several straights as I get better. The RAD has me bad!

Thanks for the encouragement, all!

 

[Floor]

You wil get there. It is a marathon not a sprint

 

[Raithskar]

but don't expect me to give up my DE's!!

That is what I thought as well.

Nice razor. A respected Sheffield brand, and a great guy you got it from. Noah has some damn fine blades in his arsenal.

Hang in there. It takes lots of practice, but it sounds like you are off to a great start.

 

[gsurko]

Keep at it, it takes time to learn but it isn't rocket science. Don't be too sure about the DE thing, straight shaving is addicting.