Just finished my first straight shave!

**cletus van damme** · 05-22-2009, 05:38 PM

Well yesterday I did do a couple strokes and finished up with the DE...but today I did straight only, using a Dovo from vintageblades.

I need to get to know how to switch hands, as well as getting a good grip on the razor. Sometimes it's hard to keep the entire thing flat when I'm going for the side of my face. Also, getting the right angle is...important. I felt it dragging, probably because I was going too slowly and had the wrong angle. Once I placed it flat and attempted 30 degree angle, it felt like it was gliding, and that worked better. But it was tough to get that just right, only did it a few times.

Since I was being cautious and slow, the shave was not very close, and probably doesn't look that great. But I feel satisfied in that I went through two passes and finished the shave. I got a few nicks, one on the side of my face, and one on the chin area. But man, this is fun!

Also, how do most people get rid of the lather that accumulates on the razor? I used my finger, after watching one tutorial video, but I figure that running it under water, or dipping it in a bowl, i.e. the usual stuff with the DE could work as well.

**mdunn** · 05-22-2009, 05:52 PM

congrats!

i kinda swipe it across a wet towel in a stropping motion to clear the hairy lather from the edge.

**SavantStrike** · 05-22-2009, 06:50 PM

I second the towel idea, though you might be able to get away with a wash cloth depending on how much lather you like to use. I use a dry wash cloth personally. As soon as the lather dries out I can shake the stubble out of the cloth and it's ready to be used again.

Congrats on the shave, it sounds like you're hooked already

.

**Hawkeye5** · 05-22-2009, 07:28 PM

Congratulations! Welcome to the brotherhood. Yes, it is fun isn't it? Now that your first shave is behind you, and you know you're not going to kill yourself or slice off a cheek, you can begin to concentrate on the other skills. They will come, but take time to develop the muscle memory necessary.

For a long time I used a towel, but now I rinse under the faucet for no other reason than I like the feel of a warm blade. Just be careful not to ding the edge.

**bearbear** · 05-22-2009, 10:22 PM

Welcome.

For lather, i saw this video were the guy just wiped it on his left wrist.

To calrify, this was not a cross the veins potential suicide wipe, but rather, Give a thumbs up, ben your thumb forward, and use that area between the fleshy bottom of the thumb, your wrist and that first inch of forearm.

I keep my latherbowl bathed in hotwater in my sink, and my sink is small, so rinsing isn't an option, and i find with towel wiping, i always end up touching the edge which abrubtly dulls my blade and leaves me finishing with a shavette or de.

**mdunn** · 05-23-2009, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by bearbear

Welcome.

For lather, i saw this video were the guy just wiped it on his left wrist.

To calrify, this was not a cross the veins potential suicide wipe, but rather, Give a thumbs up, ben your thumb forward, and use that area between the fleshy bottom of the thumb, your wrist and that first inch of forearm.

I keep my latherbowl bathed in hotwater in my sink, and my sink is small, so rinsing isn't an option, and i find with towel wiping, i always end up touching the edge which abrubtly dulls my blade and leaves me finishing with a shavette or de.

ive wiped on my hand before.

ive also stropped on the side of my palm (the meat between pinky finger and wrist) when I was away and forgot a strop!