First Shave With A Straight

**sam89** · 04-23-2012, 03:26 PM

Greetings Gentlemen!

So I'm 22 years old and have been DE shaving for close to 3 years now. I recently decided to take the leap into the straight razor world. I bought a 5/8 DOVO from classicshaving.com and had it shipped straight to their honing service to get it 'shave-ready,' then to me. I got to the opportunity to use it for the first time today and it went fairly well save for a pretty decent nick on the lower portion of my right cheek.

I do have one question though. I noticed A LOT more 'feedback' then I was used to with a DE. I assume this is par for the course, but wanted to make sure since it is hard for me to gauge what a 'shave-ready' razor will feel like. I was also shaving a few days worth of beard growth, so I figure that had something to do with the feedback as well.

Thanks a lot!

Sam

**kelton** · 04-23-2012, 05:08 PM

Welcome to B&B !
yes you will get more feed back (bare blade) - go slow watch your angle and pressure.

**nrv216** · 04-23-2012, 05:43 PM

Hey Sam,

Congrats on a successful first shave! I am new to the game too and probably have less knowledge since I went straight to straights from catridges. I was initially concerned as to whether or not my blade was shave ready and whether the feedback, as you put it, was excessive but I stopped worrying about it and am just focusing on the results. If I come out of the bathroom with a semi-smooth face and no irritation I consider it a step in the right direction and a successful shave. I know this was not the technical answer you may have expected but I hope it helped. Good luck and keep at it!

nrv216

**Obiwan** · 04-24-2012, 09:04 AM

Congrats and welcome. It's normal. The feedback will likely decrease a bit as you get your technique down. It will still be different from what you are used to with DEs.

**SinnerinRehab** · 04-24-2012, 11:41 AM

Welcome

**SafetyManiac** · 04-28-2012, 03:15 AM

Greetings All,

I too just had my first shave with a straight razor after using a DE for two years. I bought a new 5/8 Dovo "singing" razor from West Coast Shaving. However, given that it stated it was honed by a honemeister and delivered shave ready, I did not send it out for honing. I believe this may have been a mistake and the reason I got so much feedback. I also stropped it first, which now I'm hearing was probably an another mistake in that I should not have stropped the razor before it's first shave.

To put it in perspective, the level of feedback I received included the blade gettig hung up on the beard, if you can believe it. This is where, when pulling the blade back from my face, I experienced the "singing" blade (and No, it was not a scream

), the ringing tone of the steel.

I have a feeling the answer is obvious but, should I send the razor out for honing? Of should I press forward with using the razor and concentrate on technique?

Your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dave

**Doc226** · 04-28-2012, 03:39 AM

It is normal and part of the fun

**Krodor** · 04-28-2012, 07:05 AM

Oftentimes new people with a straight find the same thing: gets hung up in the beard and question the sharpness of the blade....I know I did. Ya gotta remember that people-honed blades are most likely no match for the hyper sharp factory DE blades. That being said, you can get realllllly sharp hand honed edges. Part two is that the blade is likely longer than 2", way longer than a DE or a Cart, so if you are trying to take a swipe of your beard the length of the blade, you have to cut way more hairs at a time. Even further, the angle, speed, pressure, confidence, and general technique of a straight is so customizable that you likely haven't figured out the optimal spot to sit in that multidimensional variable space. (whoa, where did that come from?) anyway, is the edge too dull? Don't know. Get it to a more experienced person and have them use it. Send it out for pro-honing. Or just use it for awhile. Often folks find that as their technique improves, the blade gets "sharper", meaning of course that the blade cuts better/easier/smoother, which is quite different. Though after 6-7 shaves it very well might need a touchup. Was threading with another guy a few weeks back and after a bit he found that a few swipes on CrOx/balsa gave the vim/vigor back to his edge.

So what Doc said is bang on: learning it and figuring it out can be part of the fun, and lots of options abound. Keep asking questions, by the way, regardless of how silly they may seem: we've all been there and continue to ask them ourselves!

Happy shaving!

**srmd22** · 04-28-2012, 09:55 PM

It's probably fine, there is even a term for it: Straight razor newbie I think my razor is dull syndrome, or something. I just went through the same exact process.

**SafetyManiac** · 04-29-2012, 01:52 AM

I guess I was expecting my first shave with a straight to be one where you experience the blade going through the beard "like a hot knife through butter". And when it didn't happen I looked at the blade as if it was a suspect in a crime. I'm happy to hear that I'm most likely that suspect.

Thanks for the advice. It's very much appreciated.

**Doc226** · 04-29-2012, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by SafetyManiac

I guess I was expecting my first shave with a straight to be one where you experience the blade going through the beard "like a hot knife through butter". And when it didn't happen I looked at the blade as if it was a suspect in a crime. I'm happy to hear that I'm most likely that suspect.

You sir were not a suspect you were GULTY.

I too was guilty and I suspect most of us were guilty as well during the first shaves. It is not the instrument but the musician that is to blame.

**Krodor** · 04-29-2012, 04:18 AM

Yeah...kinda like an initiation ritual when joining the Brotherhood of the Straight ;)

**global_dev** · 04-29-2012, 06:03 AM

but when you get that shave that's like a hot knife through butter, watch out for other significant ADs that make you chase an even better edge, which DEFINITELY exists!

**sam89** · 04-29-2012, 10:46 AM

Update! So I'm 5 shaves in and each one has gotten better. I haven't spilled a drop of blood since the first time. The process is really exciting me - gaining more confidence as time goes on and getting a better shave each time.

I'm really glad I made the decision to switch to a straight and I'm looking forward to the day when I can get a shave that far exceeds the quality of those I was getting with a DE.

Thanks guys!

Sam

**whipdog** · 05-02-2012, 08:39 PM

They will keep getting better and better

**johna2231** · 05-03-2012, 09:19 AM

Glad to hear that you are having fun. It's a blast, ain't it?! One thing I'd mention is that many guys say they get a better shave on multiple days of beard growth than when shaving everyday. I think this varies greatly on your beard type. I have a very fast growing barb-wire beard and have found that if I have more than two day's growth if I'm not using a heavy wedge I'll have to push the blade through so forcefully that I won't get a comfortable enjoyable shave. Even with a heavy wedge it's not a good time. I've found my closest most comfortable straight shaves are when my beard is much shorter and more manageable. Just MHO.

Anyway you slice it (yeah, I know, bad razor pun) you'll have significant improvement early on and when you stand on your 100th shave and look back, you WILL S M I L E!!! Have a great time with it.

John