Huntingdan's Shave Journal

[huntingdan]

Alright everyone, well tonight was my first shave with a straight after about 3 months of DE shaving. I decided to let my facial hair grow out for about 2 days since I knew my Sight Unseen Deal from Larry was coming in. I do not think that was a good idea :

I received my razor, strop, and balsa in the mail today. Can be seen here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/269190-Show-me-your-Whippeddog-Sight-Unseen-razors/page6

Here is my before picture:





Prep:

Hot shower
Nivea Pre Shave Soap
Let the whisker get pleny o wet
Cella (soap I knew I would get great lather from) even let it sink in for about 2 minutes or so
Re applied the Cella

First pass: WTG

This is why I think the 2 days growth was not a good idea. I didn't strop the razor because of the advise sent to me in the instructions from my Whipped Dog deal. Don't know if that was the problem or not. Anyways, the razor did not just glide through and easily cut the hairs. I mostly think that this was due to my inexperience. It was rough going, but I kept plowing through and did the best I could. Still though I didn't manage to get any cuts or wheepers through the whole ordeal. Only problem I had was as stated. I then rinsed off, did a pretty good job I think except for a couple of patches around the chin and under the neck.

Second pass: WTG

Since the first pass was so rough I decided to go WTG again. The reason I think I had so much problem was due to the long beard growth. This time the razor performed better. Still not buttery smooth as I thought it would be switching to a straight, but a 100 times better. I had a lot of problem around the chin, but will work on that the next shave. This time on the cheeks I did manage to cut my self with the tip of the razor. Lesson learned! It's sharp! So I thought, happened again on the chin! Did a little better around the chin.

Third pass: XTG

Started a third pass XTG on the cheeks, not really any problems but needs some work. Since I have funny hair growth and the base of my neck seems to switch directions (WTG is up at the base) I decided to do a third WTG pass there, but had a brain fart and went all the way up to my chin. So actually did ATG on the top half of my neck. Still, it went pretty smooth.

All in all, didn't have a lot of problems except the two cuts (cheek and chin) from the tip of the razor from being careless, and a small pimple at the base of the neck that I decided to remove. Had a little razor burn at the bottom of the neck but it was spotty, not the whole bottom of the neck like I can sometimes get from a DE.

After Pics:



Post shave:

Alum block (was deathly scared to apply)
WH
4711 since it's night time

Conclusion:

I know it needs work, but I am willing to put the time in. Really enjoyed the process and looking forward to the journey. Any tips would be appreciated. I do have a few questions:

Should the razor just glide straight through the hairs? Everyone I read about makes it seems like it just glides through effortlessly, I definitly had a drag, and seemed to have to give a good force through some hairs, especially the first pass, which could be due to the extra day of growth.

How awkward does the holding the razor get? I looked up ways to hold the razor and followed them, but some were very awkward and at times seemed to be blind shaving.

Thanks for reading any input will be taking in to consideration. Oh yeah, forgot to add, I really need to make sure I stretch the skin, sometimes I forgot because I was concentrating so hard on not puncturing my face. For the most part, I did stretch the skin.

[erudolph]

Awesome first shave, Daniel! I'm not going to give any advice because I've been str8 shaving for only three weeks, but I congratulate you on getting farther in one night than I have in the three weeks. I have the same experience of the blade dragging, sometimes bogging down, sometimes trying to skip, and my remedy is to use wetter lather. I suspect blade angle has something to do with it too: to minimize the chances of cutting myself I've been using a very flat angle.

Onward, man, you've got it going now!

[Beatnik]

As Ed says, awesome first shave! You have to consider that you were able to do much more than most with their first straight razor shave. To be able shave your whole face and neck, let alone doing the same in three passes, is a bit rare for a first time shave and is a great accomplishment!
As far as effortless gliding is concerned, that is not what you will experience as a newbie. I recommend that you read some of the shaving journals here and you will see. check out the journals by Grips, Noahpictures, cameraflier especially. Within these and other journals are some great insights and tips offered by veterans that I have found very helpful in shorting the learning curve a bit. But even with this, you can't replace time with the blade as the most effective means of progress. Best of luck, keep up your journal when you can!

[huntingdan]

Thanks I have been checking out a few, so many to look through, I will check out the ones you have mentioned. After I wrote this last night I started feeling around my face, my cheeks are very minus a patch around each side burn. The mid section of my neck is the smoothest it's ever been, smoother than any DE ever got it. The chin and bottom of neck well less than desired, but I know it will come with time. Thanks you guys for checking out my journal, I will keep it up the best I can.

[Grips]

That is a great start. There is a lot of things going on in a straight shave that it takes awhile to get it all down.

I would highly recommend doing a first pass with a DE especially with multiple days of growth. I found one of the hardest things to learn with a straight is the first reduction pass.

I am around the 70 shave mark and still don't feel I have the whole process "down" to where I want it. But that is part of the attraction of the straight.

[huntingdan]

Shave #2

OK was just going to wait until tomorrow, but I have a 6:30 am meeting in the morning. I had to go ahead and do it tonight. I felt my face was up for the challenge, had the normal 24 hour growth for me. I did notice though, the growth seemed much smoother.

My focus tonight was really on skin stretching. I also noticed I really need practice stropping the razor. I managed to nick my strop twice on the first time ever using it. Luckily, they were up high and down low so I just continued in the middle. It was a bout 12-14 inches of an area still good.

I really think I messed the razor up stropping, but not really sure.

Once again focused on skin stretching lathered up some RR King Louis, tomorrow I will be going back to Cella and sticking with it for a little while I just really wanted the lavender since it was night, help you sleep blah de blah.

First pass WTG: Prepped like usual in my first post, as I will for every time I shave. The shave was pretty good WTG on the first pass, I noticed the razor dragging and skipping some (refer to the strop, why I think I might have messed the edge up some) but did a really good job covering my whole face, no patches, no cuts.

Second pass WTG: This is where things took a dive. The razor just had no control and jumping around everywhere. I almost just stopped there and called it a night, but had the meeting tomorrow with the partners of the orthopedic clinic I work with and didn't want to look like I was 14, just shaving for the first time. I probably counted about 5-6 individual nicks and one good cut on my chin (old scare from football when I was younger, very small).

Third pass XTG on cheeks and ATG on neck: XTG on the cheeks was horrible but managed to make it through, very irritated. The neck, however, wasn't bad. The razor didn't exactly mow anything down tonight, but did the job on the neck.

Thoughts: I find I have a really difficult time with hand position on the razor, could be the problem. Noticed overall in my left hand (I'm right handed) the control for the strokes isn't bad. I did a pretty good job making sure I stretch the skin, don't see that as a problem. Overall my face I would rate a DFS except under chin, but better than the first time. I will try the razor again tomorrow or friday morning with just stropping to see if it was just me tonight. I know the "me" is a big factor in my shave and the razor is probably doing just what I let it do.

I really need to work on my different grips for the razor, overall the movement of the razor was much smoother tonight until it would start to skip.

Thanks, til next time!

PS almost no razor burn on the neck, first time ever, some on the cheeks but isn't nearly as bad as a good wind burn.

[huntingdan]

Captains Log #3

Ok so I didn't shave last night, didn't sleep much the night before so when I got home I crashed. So I had about a day and half worths of growth on the face. Not as long as the first time I decided to wait. Thought about mowing it down some with a DE but then thought, No I'm going to use the straight and figure it out. So I proceeded.

Same prep as other entry's except moved the Cella back as my soap.

First pass WTG: Focusing on blade angle, because I have the WTG grip down. I mowed down the whiskers like the were butter. My face was still stubbly when I finished with some smoother spots here and there. Got around the chin wonderful, I thought.

Second pass WTG: Even smoother, got a couple knicks but it on the bottom of the neck, but once again the blade warned me I was being lax. So far so good, minus the couple of weepers that didn't even bleed again after I rinsed my face.

Third pass ATG/XTG: Once again I'm really trying to get the XTG down on my cheeks and chin area. I just can't figure out how to hold it correctly to keep the pressure on my face. Even with skin pulling it is very uncomfortable and is not as fluid as my WTG passes. XTG under the chin is still very smooth, managed to get a tad bit of burn at the middle of the neck where angles start to change, not a big deal I will work on that, but it is nothing compared to what I got with a DE and especially a cartridge.

Thoughts: I have WTG down fairly well, it is really when I start to change especially ATG. My hands are crossed over and in the way of each other. It is not smooth at all. Overall, I believe I did really well on keeping the blade angle fairly constant, obviously not when I switched to XTG and ATG, even though ATG on the neck is acceptably smooth. Still getting closer shaves than I could have ever imagined.

I got a few knicks with the XTG nice little half inch line on my chin. All in good fun though. Any thoughts on helping a guy out with hand position, skin pulling is not a problem, I've tried the pictures in the help wiki on straight razors? I will continue to try and keep working on it!

[cameraflier]

Any thoughts on helping a guy out with hand position, skin pulling is not a problem, I've tried the pictures in the help wiki on straight razors?

One idea: Find a dull straight, and fondle it for a while. Sit down and play with it. Fiddle around and it'll slowdy get more comfortable in your hands. Experiment with holds. Do some shaving motions on your face. If the blade is sufficiently dull, drag it around your face. It's easier to practice when there is no performance presure, time pressure, or sharp edges involved. It helped me alot. Of course, YMMV.


Good luck, and smooth shaving...

[global_dev]

first "couple" o' shaves are gonna pretty poor, until it falls together.. . i've seen one person here say BBS on first try ever, and that's a tough pill to swallow for the rest of us that struggled to get a decent shave even the 10th time out the gates...

while cameraflier has a great suggestion, i used a full size butterknife to practice and finally moved on to the back of a 8" chef's knife to my wife's amusement only recently.

Still getting closer shaves than I could have ever imagined.

it's a wonderful accomplishment... it will only get better.

[huntingdan]

Thanks guy, I am no where near a BBS, although except for a couple of nicks here and there from inproper hand placement causing a few nicks the shaves are above average I'd call them. I will find some time this weekend to hopefully work on some hand positioning with a dull butter knife. I don't have an extra straight laying around, something I should probably look in to when it's time to rehone.

Thanks

[huntingdan]

Shave 4:

Ok after a few days off I picked the razor back up. I was a little worried since the last time I took a couple days off it was my first shave and a horrible experience on the first pass. I've just been really busy and headed up to the farm this weekend to get out and get away from things. Of course I don't get freshly shaven for that kind of stuff. Had about 2 days worth of growth.

Soap: MWF

First pass WTG: Went very smooth, the smoothest first past yet. Mowed straight through the first pass of 2 days growth. Very impressed and very nice. Chin area still needs some work, a little patchy, but the razor felt very comfortable holding and moving.

Second pass WTG: Also, this pass was very smooth and easy since I got the hair pretty close in the first pass. Aside from a few weepers the razor is really starting to feel more comfortable in my hand WTG. Still a few areas I'm switching around starting, realizing it isn't the most comfortable of holds and timid with those areas, mostly the chin area.

Third pass ATG cheeks/XTG neck: Finally got a little bit better ATG on the cheeks, messed around with some hand placement and skin stretching and did very good on the bigger areas of my cheeks. Still a little bit of trouble around the neck/chin line. ATG on the neck, has been very comfortable since the start. Never got ATG on the neck area even with the DE down so I haven't and probably won't attempt in that area, but even with out XTG and going 2 WTG's and 1 ATG it is very very smooth.

Thoughts, well I didn't cut myself and my hand position/hold on the razor is getting more comfortable. Had a few weepers but I really think they are just bumps. Have some old acne scars and pitting on the ear/cheek area from when I was younger. That seems to be where most of my weepers occur. Also around the chin. Getting better but only 4 shaves in, best is yet to come!

[Raithskar]

Your Doing great Daniel!

If the razor is dragging or skipping the culprit is usually dry lather, was for me anyway. Be sure it is nice and wet (has that shiny look to it) it will promote better glide. Chin and mustache area were the hardest for me too, but I just plow through it now. Heavy growth will get easier to manage with time. Looks like you have a heavy coarse beard like I do. Try keeping pressure as light as possible, just barely touch the blade to your face. It has worked wonders for me.

Continued success to you!

Jon

[huntingdan]

Thanks, really trying to keep the lather from drying, but sometimes it just dries and I reapply. I'm thinking this is mostly because I'm still moving pretty slow. Need to time my shave one day, I do know on average shower and shave takes about 45 minutes total, I'm a pretty fast shower person. No "unneeded" time!

[Raithskar]

I have the same problem with drying lather. I am slow by nature so i makes it difficult. Usually takes me about 45 mins from start to cleaning up everything. I need to try to remember that I am reducing the beard, not trying to take it off all in one pass.

Jon

[huntingdan]

Shave 5:

First off, had a break through today with the shave. It was an awesome shave almost a DFS if I could get my chin done correctly.

Normal Prep, Cella, 444 balm mixed with AV Ice Blue (it's getting warmer here in the deep south, had to work outside some)

First Pass: WTG Everything went smooth, no irritation, small nick on my ear, watched Chimensch? video again, even closer beforehand this morning. Took some more pointers on hand position, don't like the backhand he uses, but WTG hasn't been a huge problem for me.

Second Pass: WTG same thing, very smooth, a little irritation at the neck, think its because by the time I got there soap was starting to dry a little.

Third pass XTG cheek/ATG neck: After watching the video on the XTG I really saw an improvement with the shave after trying a new hand position and hold on the razor. It went really smooth on cheeks. Did ATG on the neck as I have been doing, no problems here except I noticed the razor tugging a little more than usual. Could be a couple of things, poor strop and maybe time to hit up the balsa board with the CrOx mix for the first time. Not really a lot of irritation, could just feel a difference in how smooth the razor was not while going ATG.

Thoughts: It was a really good shave, had a nice shave with a few adjustments to my hand position/hold, now only remember them tomorrow . Small irritation at the bottom of the neck and a little nick on my ear for the first time, never bled after I rinsed off my face from the first pass. Things are starting to get smoother both technique and my face. Biggest problem I must tackle next is my chin, it is where i'm still getting a small amount of patchiness and really really irritated. The alum block is letting me know that for sure. I will continue to work on the technique of my hand first because the chin is in line but not first. I can deal with it for the time being.

[huntingdan]

Sorry just got back to town after being out since last Thursday. Unexpected trip back to the home land of Florida. Haven't been able to shave with my straight since last week.

Main reason I'm even writing in my journal is because of the shaves I DID have while I was at home. Since I was headed back and didn't want to carry the straight because I wasn't sure how much time I would have I decided to pack up my Red Tip, Personna Lab blade, C.O. Bigelow (due to ease of being in a tube), EJ BBB (since it was cheaper in case something happened, who knows!), 444 balm, and a sample of Royall Mandarin.

I directly attribute to the great shaves I received while at home using my DE to what I have accomplished in such little time with a straight. Before I started with my straight I would get bad razor burn at the base of my neck. The 4 times I did shave were BBS and no irritation. Now I know what it feels like to apply alum without any irritation.

Anyways, back home and back to the daily grind. Most importantly back to my straight! By no means am I trading the straight back to DE. I know I got less irritation the first time I used a straight compared to the first time I used a DE, so I know it's achievable!

[huntingdan]

Wow! OK, it'll be 12 days off when I start typing this since I've been out of town and very busy for the past 5 days. So to unwind tonight I decided to treat myself to my next straight shave.

Few things to start off, while gone I did use my DE Red Tip with great success as the above post goes into more detail. Also, the new RR "La Familgia" line is absolutely amazing. Last, I attribute any of the irritation except for a couple of weepers to the past 5 days out in the sun as long as it is up in a day. Had an amazing time, out company hosts the sports medicine component of the Conference USA baseball tournament for the visiting teams for the second year. I love baseball and congrats to UAB on their conference tournament victory, I love baseball!

Now Shave #6

3 passes
Usual shower prep and face lather of RR Don Marco

First pass: WTG, it was amazing how much I remembered even with 2 weeks off. Little slow to start off but things really got going. Had about 2 days of growth and the chin gave me a few problems, but just decided I would go back over it on the next pass.

Second pass: WTG, pretty much as above a little smoother on the chin, hard to remember the hand positions I had figured out before on some areas but managed to get a very smooth pass with a couple of weepers, but no nics.

Third pass: ATG, well decided to go ATG on the whole face instead of just my neck unlike before, included the cheeks and the area between the lip and chin. It went very smooth. The soap was starting to sting a little, but I think it was just because I have been out in the sun more than usual. The first day I used the soap I had no problems.

Thoughts: Well as a whole it was a DFS a few areas of patchiness, but it is not noticable. I didn't miss the spots but just not as close as the rest of the face. Face was a little raw and the alum block stung like a SOB, as before I believe it was the light sun burn on my face. Overall it was a great shave still need to work on the technique and mess with the hand positions to make the shave go smoother. Not even thinking about speed just yet. Still took a total of 35-40 minutes including the shower. After 12 hours of baseball for the last 5 days each day, and being able to visit the family for a few days topping it off with a nice relaxing straight shave was just what I needed, self prescribed!

[cameraflier]

If the ATG's are getting easier, you're doing it right.
Highly commendable for a shave #6. Far better than most.

[huntingdan]

Shave #7

Keep this short... basically did only 2 passes tonight WTG, everything was going good until I got to the second WTG and just started shaking and made a couple nics on my chin and decided to rinse off and call it a night.

On day 2.5 of kicking a dipping habit, this is down time at work so I figured it'd be the best time. Hopefully I can get back on it tomorrow or the next day. Tonight just wasn't my night, but the 2 WTG are not bad at all, feel it here and there. Not bad if I was needing to go somewhere in a pinch that wasn't formal.

[huntingdan]

Shave #7

DFS!! finally, about 95% BBS if it weren't for a few spots. I was a little raw, but I was messing with some new soaps. Today I went with the new RR Chumba Cheech, great soap, just need to mess around with it some. 3 passes, 2 WTG and 1 ATG, had a few nics around the chin, goint to put up some pics that for some reason I couldn't rotate on the computer but you'll get the point.

Biggest thing I'm going to work on his pressure, some days I get little to no irritation today was pretty irritating with only a couple of nics (I really think they were still from the previous shave). Did a number on my face but my face will grow back, trying to make sure I have a jaw and cheeks to keep shaving in the future ahead of me.

Going to keep using this same razor, but have kind of started looking around to see what I would like next. For anyone reading my journal that is looking to get into straight shaving. Larry's whipped dog special is the way to go, but make sure you order that extra strop, its about time to switch mine out.

Overall, great shave just a lot of irritation but it subsided about 10 minutes of cold water, alum, and RR A/S balm Don Marco.

Sorry about the pics, for some reason they wouldn't let me rotate them?! Dunno, but without further adeau.

After last cold rinse:
Attachment 247651


After more cold water rinse, alum stick, just about to add A/S.
Attachment 247653
Attachment 247652