I received my first straight razor today--a "Spike" vintage. I ordered it as a "sight unseen" mystery straight from Larry at Whipped Dog, and it came shave ready. Looked all shiny, sharp and ready to go.
I lathered up some Tabac and got down to business. I had about 2 days growth on my face. The first "pass" was pretty tough. I took short strokes due to some tugging, but I attribute this to the length of the stubble and the technique of a beginner. Stretching the skin helped get me going in the right direction along with locking my shoulder, and to an extent my elbow, in place to help with maintaining blade angle. With my cheeks and most of my chin and mustache area done, the lather started drying out, so it was time for a re-lather.
I checked to see how the shave was coming along. I had missed quite a few whiskers, but my face was in tact and there was no blood. Lathered back up and shaved the cheeks again, this time with much greater ease, and then my mustache area and chin. Chin whiskers were stubborn. I found that short strokes worked the best. The neck area was particularly difficult for me. I had a hard time getting to some concave areas on the left and right sides of my lower neck. I think I can fix that next time if I stick my neck out like a giraffe to flatten the skin.
I did have to touch up the area right under my nose and some areas of my neck with a Tech. I noticed my skin was starting to get a little irritated on my neck and I have a couple red bumps on the jawline/upper neck area so I put the straight away. Aftershave burned a lot more than usual.
All in all, it was an experience. Shaving with a straight is much more difficult than I imagined. I also noticed that I have been getting complacent with my DE shaves. I don't even have to try and I can get cleaned up in 1 pass with ease and little to no thought. If I slow down and make a conscious effort, I'm sure I can get the hang of straights with time.
Since I'm just starting, I may just try this on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It took me about 30-45 minutes to complete this first shave, including stropping, oiling etc. I don't mind taking the time as a night shaver, but I don't want to get a lot of ingrown hairs or irritation in quick succession. If the bumps clear up by tomorrow or Friday, I may give it another go. I also should probably use my left hand to shave more often. I relied on my right almost entirely.
I lathered up some Tabac and got down to business. I had about 2 days growth on my face. The first "pass" was pretty tough. I took short strokes due to some tugging, but I attribute this to the length of the stubble and the technique of a beginner. Stretching the skin helped get me going in the right direction along with locking my shoulder, and to an extent my elbow, in place to help with maintaining blade angle. With my cheeks and most of my chin and mustache area done, the lather started drying out, so it was time for a re-lather.
I checked to see how the shave was coming along. I had missed quite a few whiskers, but my face was in tact and there was no blood. Lathered back up and shaved the cheeks again, this time with much greater ease, and then my mustache area and chin. Chin whiskers were stubborn. I found that short strokes worked the best. The neck area was particularly difficult for me. I had a hard time getting to some concave areas on the left and right sides of my lower neck. I think I can fix that next time if I stick my neck out like a giraffe to flatten the skin.
I did have to touch up the area right under my nose and some areas of my neck with a Tech. I noticed my skin was starting to get a little irritated on my neck and I have a couple red bumps on the jawline/upper neck area so I put the straight away. Aftershave burned a lot more than usual.
All in all, it was an experience. Shaving with a straight is much more difficult than I imagined. I also noticed that I have been getting complacent with my DE shaves. I don't even have to try and I can get cleaned up in 1 pass with ease and little to no thought. If I slow down and make a conscious effort, I'm sure I can get the hang of straights with time.
Since I'm just starting, I may just try this on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It took me about 30-45 minutes to complete this first shave, including stropping, oiling etc. I don't mind taking the time as a night shaver, but I don't want to get a lot of ingrown hairs or irritation in quick succession. If the bumps clear up by tomorrow or Friday, I may give it another go. I also should probably use my left hand to shave more often. I relied on my right almost entirely.
