Knotted arms first shave...

[Biko]

Hi,

Thanks for such a useful site!

I've just bought a straight razor to save throwing away so many blades and because I like a slow pace of life. First shave was this morning, with carefully saved 3 days growth, but two questions...

1) It took me quite a while as I'm not dextrous enough to be confident of using my left hand for the left side of my face - hence lots of arm contortions obscuring the view of left sideburn. Same applied to neck (I usually shave upwards here). Is there a different grip for right-handers shaving left side?

2) I gather the razor should be cleaned and dried off after use (though mine is stainless) but what with? I don't want to risk damaging the edge with a towel or tissue...?

However I'm delighted with my first impression of a straight razor shave - I'd say as close as my usual safety razor - but then I WAS excited and lathered-up three times and went every which way!

Thanks, Biko

 

[mdunn]

1) Dont be afraid to change around the grip you use, I have to use a couple of different holds to get all the different angles and bits of my face easily.

2)After shaving, I rise the blade, strop it across my palm a few times under the tap to clean any cream off the edge, then strop it on a towel a couple of times and make sure theres no water whatsoever on it, if some has got between the scales I use a bit of toilet paper to clean it up. Remember, its stainless not stainproof so the thin edge will degrade easily if not looked after.

Welcome and congrats on your first shave. It only gets easier and better from here!

 

[Biko]

Thanks for the advice mdunn, I guess the first few times it'll feel a bit awkward anyway. I was half expecting to open my jugular!

Cheers

 

[mdunn]

yeah, it will take a while (at least it did for me) for you to work out exactly what angle and direction you want that blade at for each swipe, after that its just working out how to move your hands to get it there.

If in doubt use a smaller angle (that is, get the spine closer to your face) and your jugular should be fine!

what straight and strop do you have?

 

[Biko]

I got a Dovo with a micarta handle, seems fine (although it shipped with a couple of hairy resin dings in the 'handle' where the spine seats into it when it is closed - maybe plastic would be more durable). The strop says Feinstes, Germany on the top and Cyril Salter along the bottom; Leather side is nice and smooth - canvas looks pretty coarse.

Thanks for the life-saving tip!

 

[Seraphim]

If you get some of the Dovo white paste it will fill in the coarse weave of the canvas, and make it into a fantastic edge retention tool!

 

[adonnellyr]

I think you would REALLY have to cut yourself deeply to get the jugular. Even if you slice yourself a bit across the throat it will be no worse than the sort of slice you do on your cheek. I imagine you'd almost have to saw at your neck a little to really give yourself a serious injury!

 

[Biko]

Thanks Seraphim, that's the paste with the yellow band? I got a tube in anticipation of conditioning the leather - I should rub it into the canvas too?

 

[adonnellyr]

The paste with the yellow band is for lubricating the leather on your strop every now and then, just to prevent it from getting dry and cracking from use.