first str8 shave = Blood bath

[jbone]

Ok so maybe the title is going a little over board, however I found it pretty funny that the shave cream looked like it had red polkadots in it (from all the blood).

So... The first shave was pretty ruff. the blade did not cut the hairs like a hot knife through butter. It was more like ripping them out with a cheese grater. :( Although the bleeding wasnt horrible ive never bled so much while shaving in my entire life put together. The shave cream kept drying out on my face before I could get to a lot of places and when I went to re-lather over the dry stuff it looked like it was snowing in my bathroom:rolleyes:. The shave cream was more foamy sometimes than a lather, but TOBS MR. Taylors smells wonderful!

So all in all, I need to work on my technique (especially for the chin and jaw line), figure out how to make a decent lather, order a strop ( I think that may be why it was so ruff shaving, and yes it was honed by Lynn(?). I cant wait till I grow more hair which will be a few days.

Finally... If I can offer any tips to other newbies it is this: Do not use any nice white towels to wipe your face off when your bleeding.

excuse me while I go ice my face down;)

[Jimbo]

Sorry to hear that Jbone. Have you access to Lynn's DVD? I've never seen it, but apparently there's a lot of excellent information on there re technique etc. I actually think that it's being made available on youtube in parts. Part one was put up today, I believe.

Try adjusting your angle - somewhere in there will be an angle that suits you. Most people are around 30 degrees apparently.

And skin stretching is very important too - a nice taut surface for the razor to pass over really helps.

But this stuff all comes with time, practice and patience. Keep at it, get all the advice you can, and don't be discouraged - it won't take long and you'll be getting great shaves. :happy088

James.

[Reformation Student]

Jbone -

Giving that the razor was Lynn honed, I presume it was sharp. Are you saying you don't have a strop?

Also, if the shaving cream gets too dry, wet your brush and run it over your face a little. That should rehydrate the lather.

How much pressure were you using? Straights require a very light touch. Also, I wouldn't recommend using it again until you can get it stropped.

My suggestion is, for a while, just practice on your cheeks. Then finish up with your DE or something you're used to for the chin, jawline, etc.

Straights do have a learning curve that can last a few months. Keep at it, though. The reward is worth the blood.

[IsaacRN]

Good advice has been given.....

Keep at it...little by little :)

[Padron]

Wow,

sorry to hear the first shave was soo rough :(..One thing, how was your prep? try to insure your whiskers have been softed up prior to shaving, perhaps a hot towel with lather left on the beard area for a few minutes will help.

Another thought would be to try a shave soap, I personally find a soap to be a bit slicker and offer more glide that a cream, I also frequently use soap and cream ala superlather which I find works well for me.

Some great advice here, your shaves will improve :D Hang in there and try to work on technique, a light touch and stretching.

[jbone]

Thanks for the insight gentlemen! I wont give up hope, it actually got me excited to keep doing it. I completely understand that it takes time.

I have to get in the habit of stretching the skin. I completely forgot at first but when I did it it did make a difference. Then entire shave wasnt bad, with the exception of one cut, I didnt even realize I had cut myself that many times. I am ordering a strop today, and im going to hold off on any shaving (with the str8) until I get it. I also ordered Lynns DVD a few days ago so it should get here soon. Thanks for all the tips!!

Also there are a few spots on my face that have never been so smooth!!

[Reformation Student]

Thanks for the insight gentlemen! I wont give up hope, it actually got me excited to keep doing it. I completely understand that it takes time.

I have to get in the habit of stretching the skin. I completely forgot at first but when I did it it did make a difference. Then entire shave wasnt bad, with the exception of one cut, I didnt even realize I had cut myself that many times. I am ordering a strop today, and im going to hold off on any shaving (with the str8) until I get it. I also ordered Lynns DVD a few days ago so it should get here soon. Thanks for all the tips!!

Also there are a few spots on my face that have never been so smooth!!

What kind of strop is it?

[jbone]

well I jsut realized its Sunday and Tony's site says "no sunday orders" so I will wait till tomm. I guess ill be ordering his begginers strop.

[iron maiden]

Jbone....a little bag balm will help to heal your skin.

[jbone]

Thanks ill have to try that.

Quick question: I looked at tony's site for the begginers strop and the site says it will be back by mid April. I really dont want to wait that long if possible. So is there any other reasonably priced, quality strops out there??

Thanks

[Reformation Student]

Thanks ill have to try that.

Quick question: I looked at tony's site for the begginers strop and the site says it will be back by mid April. I really dont want to wait that long if possible. So is there any other reasonably priced, quality strops out there??

Thanks

Here's an option for you:

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/817097.htm

[Jimbo]

This is going a bit off topic, but that link you posted Steve got me thinking. Have you seen the strops Zeepk are selling?

Zeepk Strop. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Zeepk-Straight-Razor-Strop-Soap-Bass-shaving-Brush_W0QQitemZ120237993149QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3599 0QQcmdZViewItem)

Are they ripping off the Illinois strop, or are they actually selling the Illinois strop? Does anyone know?

James.

[Reformation Student]

This is going a bit off topic, but that link you posted Steve got me thinking. Have you seen the strops Zeepk are selling?

Zeepk Strop. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Zeepk-Straight-Razor-Strop-Soap-Bass-shaving-Brush_W0QQitemZ120237993149QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3599 0QQcmdZViewItem)

Are they ripping off the Illinois strop, or are they actually selling the Illinois strop? Does anyone know?

James.

I think it's just a common design. Given Zeepk's razor reputation, I'd hesitate on the strop, though.

[Jimbo]

Yeah, that's true (on all counts). The wording in the ad is very suspicious though. If Zeepk was one of my students I'd report them for plagiarism...

James.

[jbone]

Here's an option for you:

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/817097.htm

thank you!!!

[Reformation Student]

Yeah, that's true (on all counts). The wording in the ad is very suspicious though. If Zeepk was one of my students I'd report them for plagiarism...

James.

And well you should. I had just looked at the picture at first. I just went back and read the copy. Boy howdy does that look suspicious.

[Leon]

So all in all, I need to work on my technique (especially for the chin and jaw line), figure out how to make a decent lather, order a strop ( I think that may be why it was so ruff shaving, and yes it was honed by Lynn(?). I cant wait till I grow more hair which will be a few days.

Yep... A good leather is the next most important thing after a sharp blade. If it's dry, apply more water and put some drops of glycerin.