Just recieved my first str8!What to do?

**haagiboy** · 10-22-2010, 09:11 AM

I just recieved my BEAUTIFULL straight (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=170891) from Nerdman. It's absolutely stunning!

So, I got a strop with it aswell, an Ambrose leather strop + linen.
What to do now in terms of getting it ready for my first shave? It has been honed and is considered shave ready.

I have been wetshaving with a DE for 4-5 months now, so I now how to prep and make lather etc etc... But feel free to tell me some important things to do before my first straight shave tomorrow! (Or should I wait till I get 2 days + beard growth?)

I'm thinking cheeks will be "easy" to do, and I will try to have a go on my neck aswell, but I'll skip the chins for now and go over there with a DE. I think the chins and jawbone is where I'm most likely to get a nick.

**Gustav** · 10-22-2010, 09:16 AM

Stick with the easy flats to start with. Never push yourself to do anything you do not feel comfortable with. Lather your face in sections so that you always have fresh lather for the section you are about to shave. Foremost of all, enjoy the experience and do not forget to keep us posted. Good Luck

**Troggie** · 10-22-2010, 09:17 AM

If it is shave ready I would lather up a cheek and go for it. Depending on how comfortable you feel you could try both cheeks but it is normally best to start slow to get the feel and technique down before moving on.

Also if you have not stropped a razor before check out Youtube for some videos and practice with a butter knife.. start nice and slow too so the muscle memory builds up properly.

**haagiboy** · 10-22-2010, 11:01 AM

Good idea with the butter knife! Will give that a try! And how many times should I stop the razor before my first shave? And how do I get rid of the lather on the straight? Strop motion on my backhand? Dip it in water?

And I'll be sure to lather up in sections :)

**Solingen** · 10-22-2010, 11:07 AM

You ought to practice on a lathered balloon. Play with it for a while. Knowing how to hold the razor is a deciding factor whether or not you will cut yourself. Don't worry, most cuts are superficial. I don't suggest shaving your neck for at least 2-3 weeks. Balloon practice, learn how to hold the razor - not too tight, not too loose. You could also practice on your cheeks, going WTG first then ATG or XTG passes. All in all focus and have fun. You should get a cheap razor as well and practice your honing/stropping. Yellow Pages stropping is a good teacher

**LarryAndro** · 10-22-2010, 11:15 AM

The hardest thing for me to learn was knocking the whiskers down to skin level. Once there, the rest of the shave was easier. There is no loss of honor if you shave your whiskers down to the stubbly length with a safety razor, and then finish with the straight razor. Doing it that way will allow you to work gradually into shaving completely with straights without nearly as much razor burn along the way.

**haagiboy** · 10-22-2010, 11:16 AM

I just couldnt wait, I shaved my cheeks with it <3 No nicks whatsoever :) I am having the spine pretty close to my face. Actually, I laid it with my spine so that it touched my skin, and then just lifted it up abit, untill i noticed the blade took. Went fine!

But, how many rounds on the strop should I do? and strop before AND after a shave? First linen, then leather right?

**BladeRunner001** · 10-22-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by haagiboy

I just recieved my BEAUTIFULL straight (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=170891) from Nerdman. It's absolutely stunning!

So, I got a strop with it aswell, an Ambrose leather strop + linen.
What to do now in terms of getting it ready for my first shave? It has been honed and is considered shave ready.

I have been wetshaving with a DE for 4-5 months now, so I now how to prep and make lather etc etc... But feel free to tell me some important things to do before my first straight shave tomorrow! (Or should I wait till I get 2 days + beard growth?)

I'm thinking cheeks will be "easy" to do, and I will try to have a go on my neck aswell, but I'll skip the chins for now and go over there with a DE. I think the chins and jawbone is where I'm most likely to get a nick.

That's a great blade...I think you will be very very happy with it. Although I have not had the pleasure of experience José (aka Ambrose) strops, I heard they are absolutely fabulous. So, you're set there as well.

Straight shaving is a different beast than DE shaving. Do you remember how it was 4-5 months ago from when you switched from cartridge/electric (I assume) to DE? Your skin was probably read and irritated for the 1st 1-2 weeks and then things started to click and get better. Now, the same thing will probably happen going from DE to straight...so, don't be surprised. You may get a few nicks/cuts at first until a) your technique improves, and b) your skin adjusts

Also,

1. Watch angle (you have 180º to work with unlike DE)
2. Watch pressure
3. Make sure you have great lather and take time to work that lather into beard/whiskers
4. Take your time with each pass (but refresh lather if it dries)

I am sure I have forgotten some things, but will come to mind and/or others will mention

Welcome to straight shaving and have fun

**BladeRunner001** · 10-22-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by haagiboy

I just couldnt wait, I shaved my cheeks with it <3 No nicks whatsoever :) I am having the spine pretty close to my face. Actually, I laid it with my spine so that it touched my skin, and then just lifted it up abit, untill i noticed the blade took. Went fine!

But, how many rounds on the strop should I do? and strop before AND after a shave? First linen, then leather right?

I recommend ~50 linen and 60-70 leather...very light touch. I do before and after each shave (after each shave maybe 30 linen/40 leather)

**RF1963** · 10-22-2010, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by haagiboy

And how do I get rid of the lather on the straight? Strop motion on my backhand? Dip it in water?

I have a folded towel which I wipe the straight on in a backhand strop motion. I have heard of others who put a sponge in the sink and wipe it on that.

**Luc** · 10-22-2010, 01:35 PM

What they said! Jump right in but be careful!

**haagiboy** · 10-22-2010, 04:59 PM

Right, thanks for the info guys! I'll jump straight in it!

**professorchaos** · 10-22-2010, 05:32 PM

What to do? Use it!

And report back.

**Legion** · 10-23-2010, 01:27 AM

When I started I just did my cheeks, one pass. Gradually I explored out, doing more of my face and in different directions. After the straight shave I tidied up with a SE, just to look presentable. Eventually I didn't need the SE tidy up and now I shave pretty much exclusively with the straight. Just go slow but don't be scared of it. It senses your fear.

**Ru4scuba?** · 10-23-2010, 08:54 AM

You've already received a ton of advice but you went with some good guys (Nerdman // Ambrose) for your first combo!

Best of luck and keep posting your results!