- Joined
- Friday July 10, 2009
- Location
- Inverclyde
Thought I would make a little record of my experiences in straight shaving.
Day 1
I lathered up with some DR Harris Marlborough soap and then with slight trepidation I opened my new straight razor (in my avatar), and proceeded to hold in the previously well practised position. I seem to prefer the three finger approach, I lightly rested the backbone of the blade against my cheek and stretched the skin with my other hand.
I then brought the blade to a shallow angle (around 20 degrees) and moved it down my cheek. The first stroke was bumpy, the razor seemed to skip and that frightened the crap out of me. I think the blade is so sharp it is almost sticky, and I was too scared to apply even the slightest pressure. I worked my way slowly across the cheek, only skipping occasionally and it greatly improved as I went. On completion I found that the end result was very patchy, while some sections were unshaved other parts were nice and clean, clearly better towards the end, I guess I need some more practise but made it without incident.
At that point I relathered and did a normal three pass shave with my de then lathered up once more and got the straight back out. This worked really well, having a days growth I was a little scared to hold it firmly (no pressure just a nice grip on the razor). But on a clean shaved face it allowed me to just slide the blade across my face with no resistance, no skipping and much less fear. I was getting a little lost in the moment of it all, happy that it was not skipping and was concentrating the angle and the contact point on the cheek, I was happy.
I wasn’t watching the end of the blade and managed to nick my ear, which really stung. It wasn’t a bad cut but the blade just went through it like butter. In some way this is a testament to the honemeister (Neil Miller) who I bought the blade from. The razor is lovely to use and after the first use I am sure we will get along fine. I asked Neil for a good condition beginners razor and that is exactly what I got, at a great price. It is a little less than 5/8 but is nice and light and the rounded tip should minimise how often I cut my ears :lol:
My wife found it funny that I didn't get a shaving cut on my face but cut my ear, "You shave your face dear not your ears" but her first aid kit was wasted so I think this was a slight disappointment on her part.
To be continued.
Day 1
I lathered up with some DR Harris Marlborough soap and then with slight trepidation I opened my new straight razor (in my avatar), and proceeded to hold in the previously well practised position. I seem to prefer the three finger approach, I lightly rested the backbone of the blade against my cheek and stretched the skin with my other hand.
I then brought the blade to a shallow angle (around 20 degrees) and moved it down my cheek. The first stroke was bumpy, the razor seemed to skip and that frightened the crap out of me. I think the blade is so sharp it is almost sticky, and I was too scared to apply even the slightest pressure. I worked my way slowly across the cheek, only skipping occasionally and it greatly improved as I went. On completion I found that the end result was very patchy, while some sections were unshaved other parts were nice and clean, clearly better towards the end, I guess I need some more practise but made it without incident.
At that point I relathered and did a normal three pass shave with my de then lathered up once more and got the straight back out. This worked really well, having a days growth I was a little scared to hold it firmly (no pressure just a nice grip on the razor). But on a clean shaved face it allowed me to just slide the blade across my face with no resistance, no skipping and much less fear. I was getting a little lost in the moment of it all, happy that it was not skipping and was concentrating the angle and the contact point on the cheek, I was happy.
I wasn’t watching the end of the blade and managed to nick my ear, which really stung. It wasn’t a bad cut but the blade just went through it like butter. In some way this is a testament to the honemeister (Neil Miller) who I bought the blade from. The razor is lovely to use and after the first use I am sure we will get along fine. I asked Neil for a good condition beginners razor and that is exactly what I got, at a great price. It is a little less than 5/8 but is nice and light and the rounded tip should minimise how often I cut my ears :lol:
My wife found it funny that I didn't get a shaving cut on my face but cut my ear, "You shave your face dear not your ears" but her first aid kit was wasted so I think this was a slight disappointment on her part.
To be continued.