Razumny's Straight Razor Shave Journal

[razumny]

Hello gents,

The other day, my lovely George Ibberson straight razor arrived, and I have already had a go at shaving with a straight. This is where I will chronicle my journey into the world of Straight Razor shaving.

[razumny]

Shave #1

Razor: George Ibberson Sheffield Straight razor
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

I rinsed off my face thoroughly, with hot water.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Washed face in hot water, and soaked a washcloth to wipe off the blade.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. After the last pass, I lathered up once more.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: Not a close shave at all, as I decided to stop shaving after having nicked my skin three times in short succession. That said, a noticeable level of beard reduction was achieved, with no razor burn.

Lesson learned: Straight razor shaving is clearly a different beast than both cartridge and DE shaving. However, having taken the time to learn the basics and then some of shaving with a DE razor, I quickly got a feel for how it's done. I can clearly see that I have a learning curve ahead of me, but I am taking courage in the fact that it was nowhere near as complicated as I had anticipated it might be.

Biggest challenge so far: Understanding how to hold the razor correctly.

[mtho68]

hey congratulations man!
I just had my first straight shave yesterday and second shave just now. (with a shavette though ) i also thought it wasn't as hard as i had built it up to be...I am by no means proficient however.
did you try switching hands? I tried using my left and it gave me my first and last cut of the shave, i promptly switched back to my right to finish.
hope your second goes well
happy shaving

[razumny]

I haven't tried switching hands, but then, I am most definitely right handed. I'll see where using only the one hand takes me.

[razumny]

Shave #2

Razor: George Ibberson Sheffield Straight razor
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

I had a hot shower, while leaving a washcloth in hot water. I used the washcloth to wash my face once more, before lathering.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: ATG
Fourth Pass: Cleanup, especially around the mouth

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. After the last pass, I lathered up once more.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: A straight-up and honest DFS

Lesson learned: I need to work on moving the blade between my nose and mouth, as there is a significant amount of stubble left under my nose. Straight razor shaving is even more than DE shaving about time; taking it, and spending it well.

[Beatnik]

Your making great progress! Keep up the journal when you can.

[razumny]

Thanks, and yeah, that's the plan. It's what I've been doing with my DE shaving journal, and even after a very short time, I can see the help it has been.

[razumny]

Shave #3

Razor: George Ibberson Sheffield Straight razor
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave balm: Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

I had a hot shower, while leaving a washcloth in hot water. I used the washcloth to wash my face once more, before lathering.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy. After the last pass, I cleaned up around the mouth using a DE razor. I would have done the touch-ups with the straight, but had at that time acquired no less than three nicks in that area, and wanted to get the job done.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied after shave balm.

Result: DFS, with one cheek BBS

Lesson learned: I need to work on moving the blade between my nose and mouth, but for now am content with the results I am getting.

[razumny]

Shave #4

Razor: Buerger Bros. "New 16"
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave: Alum, Proraso "Sur fil del rasorio"

I washed my face thoroughly with hot water, while leaving a washcloth in the sink. I used the washcloth to wash my face once more, before lathering.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied alum and after shave balm, then stropped the blade.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: The Buerger bros. blade, weighing in at 4/8", is far easier to move around my nose than the Ibberson, allowing me to get a decent shave, even around my mouth. I still have a ways to go, but I definitely feel like I'm getting better at this.

[razumny]

Shave #5

Razor: E. G. Gustafsson
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: Fitjar Såpekokeri Folgefonn Shaving Soap and Fjellheim Shaving Cream
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave: Alum, Fitjar Såpekokeri Fjellheim After Shave Cream
Strop: Whipped Dog Poor Man's strop

I took a warm shower, while steeping my brush and washcloth in the sink.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG - Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied alum and after shave balm, then stropped the blade.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: I like the Gustafsson blade very much, Swedish steel is very good too! Still need to work on getting a tight shave between my mouth and nose, especially directly under the nose.

[Grips]

You are doing great in my opinion. Steady progress is the key.

[razumny]

Shave #6

Razor: E. G. Gustafsson
Brush: Simpsons Wee Scot
Soap: Fitjar Såpekokeri Folgefonn Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave: Alum, Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort balm
Strop: Whipped Dog Poor Man's strop

I washed my face thoroughly in warm water, while steeping my brush and washcloth in the sink.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG - Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied alum and after shave balm, then stropped the blade.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: I am still struggling with the area between my mouth and nose, though less than before. The razor is starting to feel more natural in my hand, which is good. BBS has still not been attained.

[Raithskar]

Razumny,

You are making excellent progress. I too am most certianly right hand dominant, but using my left hand to shave that side is like second nature now. Parctice and it will get easier.

For under the nose try a scooping stroke. Put the flat of the blade flush with the bottom of your nose, and lightly scoop the blade moving the stroke downward toward your lip. The blade will be almost flush with the lip when the stroke is done.

Nice journal. Keep it up!

Jon

[cameraflier]

BBS has still not been attained.

That's a pretty lofty goal.
Take some pressure off yourself and just have fun with it.
I find that when I simply focus on the process and enjoy the shave, I do better. Focusing on a BBS is a trap.

[razumny]

That's a pretty lofty goal.
Take some pressure off yourself and just have fun with it.
I find that when I simply focus on the process and enjoy the shave, I do better. Focusing on a BBS is a trap.

BBS is not my focus, it is my goal. A lofty goal, sure, but a worthy one, I think.

I am focusing on technique, each time working with areas where I have encountered issues previously. Right now, I am working on the area between my mouth and my nose.

[chuckr9]

Great progress - switching hands takes some time to get comfortable with.....

[razumny]

Shave #7

Razor: EMDE "Hamburg Ring"
Brush: Mühle Pure Badger 81 M 316
Soap: Fitjar Såpekokeri Folgefonn Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave: Alum, Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort balm
Strop: Whipped Dog Poor Man's strop

I washed my face thoroughly in warm water, while steeping my brush and washcloth in the sink.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG - Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied alum and after shave balm, then stropped the blade.

Result: DFS, bordering on BBS

Lesson learned: First off, many thanks go out to Raithskar. The scooping technique is something of which I have been wary, but, emboldened by his suggestion, I tried it, with fantastic results. This was my first shave with the EMDE, and I love that razor as much as the others. Comfortable in the hand, and a very good razor indeed. This is the closest shave I have gotten yet with straight razors, and the vaunted BBS seems closer than ever.

[Raithskar]

You are most welcome Sir! Thrilled it worked for you!

Jon

[razumny]

Shave #8

Razor: EMDE "Hamburg Ring"
Brush: Simpson's Wee Scot
Soap: L'Occitane Cade Shaving Soap
Lather: Bodum Yellow cup
After shave: Alum, Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort balm
Strop: Whipped Dog Poor Man's strop

I had a long shower, then washed my face thoroughly in warm water, while steeping my brush and washcloth in the sink.

Lather: I primed the brush thoroughly after steeping it in hot water, then lathered, got quality lather straight off the bat.

Passes:
First Pass: WTG
Second Pass: XTG - Ear to Mouth
Third Pass: XTG - Mouth to Ear
Fourth Pass: ATG

In between passes, I worked the lather, to make sure that it was always thick and creamy.

Emptied wash basin, then filled it with cold water. Washed off lather, then dunked my face three times for a total of about 25-30 seconds. Dried off, dabbing the shaven area. Applied alum and after shave balm, then stropped the blade.

Result: DFS

Lesson learned: The Scooping technique for shaving between my nose and lips still works a treat, and I am confident in my XTG corner to center of mouth passes. Going outwards is still a challenge, but getting better. I am wary of upwards strokes for now, and get decent results when going just ATG and XTG. Still, it needs to be worked at.

[brother cavefish]

why would you want to cut a perfectly nice beard like that