I appreciated Luc postings his recent foray into straight shaving and following his updates. I hope you gentlemen will permit me to copy his format.
Last night was my first straight razor shave. I used a Dovo Black Star courtesy of Obelit along with a Dovo canvas/leather strop. I do have some concerns about my stropping technique but I trust my confidence will come with practice. Besides that I'd much rather describe my experience with the steel on my (formerly) BBS mug.
Overall, I would say the results from my first straight shave were "adequate". I also experienced several "cat scratches", but one in particular was just as Mdunn described, I applied the steel to my face motionlessly and then I must have moved slightly horizontally as I instantly felt the pain of the steel biting into my neck, but I was fortunate that it wasn't very deep. There was some blood but none more than the few other scratches and none really required the styptic... although I would have used it if I was using my DE.
As was mentioned in another thread I've read, some folks get their first "cocky" shave on about the third one. But I think mine was the first. I was hoping to eliminate the jumping and such that many experience due to being to tentative with the blade so the theme of my first shave was supposed to be: "Shaving with Confidence". In retrospect, I do not regret this plan of action, in fact I think it was still the best one for me, but my next shave will be thematically titled: "Confident Shaving... for a Novice". I think shaving with confidence, ie. using appropriate pressure and short strokes is grand but before every stroke I want to remember to begin moving that razor vertically prior to touching my skin to lessen the risk of horizontal slices.
Other improvements I know I need to make involve left handed and "upside-down for ATG passes". OH YES! I forgot to mention, I was so "confident" (I wasn't really too cocky yet was I ??) that I decided I might start practicing ATG too, because even with a DE, only the ATG pass makes me smooth. Probably a bit much to tackle for my first shave huh? It wasn't really too bad, but I may have bitten off more than I could chew... too many lessons might make me forget the easier, basic steps.
I too found my chin to be the largest challenge. The angle of the blade either bit/caught down between the hairs or it would slip right off my chin. Not sure how I'm best going to figure that out yet. My neck is also traditionally a challenge whilest DE shaving and this proved to be the same with a straight. My only positive is that my neck seems more likely to be achieved than a smooth chin appears to be at this pont.
A big thank you to Joel for his tutorials and for others like Mdunn for the many comments in so many first timer posts.
One other thing I noticed, as did Luc, is that my shave lather (Tabac soap) also seemed to dry out VERY quickly. I imagine this is because I was concentrating deeply and really spending much more time than normal between new applications of the lather. I also was surprised at myself the first couple of times I realized I actually needed to rinse off the razor. For some reason, that fact was being forgotten and I had to actually stop myself sometimes to do something that is completely unconscious when shaving with a DE. I think I might use some good shave cream for the next shave. Maybe Proraso, that sounds nice. I think that might hold the moisture a little longer than the Tabac or MWF (which I think dries faster than any). Someone also mentioned oil. I don't have any fancy pre-shave stuff, but a little olive oil maybe??? Is that nuts?!
I'll post again after my next shave... if anyone cares.
Last night was my first straight razor shave. I used a Dovo Black Star courtesy of Obelit along with a Dovo canvas/leather strop. I do have some concerns about my stropping technique but I trust my confidence will come with practice. Besides that I'd much rather describe my experience with the steel on my (formerly) BBS mug.
Overall, I would say the results from my first straight shave were "adequate". I also experienced several "cat scratches", but one in particular was just as Mdunn described, I applied the steel to my face motionlessly and then I must have moved slightly horizontally as I instantly felt the pain of the steel biting into my neck, but I was fortunate that it wasn't very deep. There was some blood but none more than the few other scratches and none really required the styptic... although I would have used it if I was using my DE.
As was mentioned in another thread I've read, some folks get their first "cocky" shave on about the third one. But I think mine was the first. I was hoping to eliminate the jumping and such that many experience due to being to tentative with the blade so the theme of my first shave was supposed to be: "Shaving with Confidence". In retrospect, I do not regret this plan of action, in fact I think it was still the best one for me, but my next shave will be thematically titled: "Confident Shaving... for a Novice". I think shaving with confidence, ie. using appropriate pressure and short strokes is grand but before every stroke I want to remember to begin moving that razor vertically prior to touching my skin to lessen the risk of horizontal slices.
Other improvements I know I need to make involve left handed and "upside-down for ATG passes". OH YES! I forgot to mention, I was so "confident" (I wasn't really too cocky yet was I ??) that I decided I might start practicing ATG too, because even with a DE, only the ATG pass makes me smooth. Probably a bit much to tackle for my first shave huh? It wasn't really too bad, but I may have bitten off more than I could chew... too many lessons might make me forget the easier, basic steps.
I too found my chin to be the largest challenge. The angle of the blade either bit/caught down between the hairs or it would slip right off my chin. Not sure how I'm best going to figure that out yet. My neck is also traditionally a challenge whilest DE shaving and this proved to be the same with a straight. My only positive is that my neck seems more likely to be achieved than a smooth chin appears to be at this pont.
A big thank you to Joel for his tutorials and for others like Mdunn for the many comments in so many first timer posts.
One other thing I noticed, as did Luc, is that my shave lather (Tabac soap) also seemed to dry out VERY quickly. I imagine this is because I was concentrating deeply and really spending much more time than normal between new applications of the lather. I also was surprised at myself the first couple of times I realized I actually needed to rinse off the razor. For some reason, that fact was being forgotten and I had to actually stop myself sometimes to do something that is completely unconscious when shaving with a DE. I think I might use some good shave cream for the next shave. Maybe Proraso, that sounds nice. I think that might hold the moisture a little longer than the Tabac or MWF (which I think dries faster than any). Someone also mentioned oil. I don't have any fancy pre-shave stuff, but a little olive oil maybe??? Is that nuts?!
I'll post again after my next shave... if anyone cares.
(I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of using this smilie before.)
<<not sure I can type with a straight face anymore (oh great now the puns start-up too.)>> 
