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Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
Tried it this morning... I would say it was as successful. It was comparable to week 1 when I started to use a DE.

The shave was ok, only one small cut. Most of my face is rough right now (stubbles). I will try again tomorrow as I felt a some pulling while I was shaving. It's probably related to technique, I think I have to concentrate on doing shorter strokes. I did a few long strokes and that might explain the pulling sensation vs doing heaps of small strokes.

I read Joel's tutorials so far and they are great! I was expecting that kind of shave (minus the pulling) maybe even worse. I had the mobile on the floor in case I would fall :lol:
 
One down, many, many more to go.

Congratulations.

I did the same thing when I started with a straight razor. I didn't try to force the shave or the closeness (I waited to do that :redface:). Great shaves will come in time, but razor burn or over shaving will hurt for days.
 
I have been having pulling too, but it has gotten worse with time (I'm only about 6-7 shaves in). It might be bad stropping technique.

But grats on a good first shave!
 
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Congratulation Luc, and welcome to the world of straight blade shaving.

The list of us new guys keeps growing each day. Interesting - we all have the same problem areas ...

And nice to know from those that have gone before us and gained proficiency --- that great shaves are ahead as our skills improve.

Reagrds:
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
Thanks everyone!

Shave #2 this morning...

I did a 2 pass WTG/XTG. Much much smoother than the first time. No nick at all this morning. I still feel patchy but that's all right. I saw black stubbles in the white lather everytime I cleaned the blade, so it's a good sign! I am not confident yet to use a splash but I did the Proraso shave this morning, awesome!

I'm suprised that I can shave with ease under my nose. When I started with a DE I had troubles finding the right angle/direction and with a straight, the shave is great there (that's one spot!)

Like most starters, my jawline and chin is the problem. My cheeks are also rough but I will get there eventually.
 
Thanks everyone!

Shave #2 this morning...

I did a 2 pass WTG/XTG. Much much smoother than the first time. No nick at all this morning. I still feel patchy but that's all right. I saw black stubbles in the white lather everytime I cleaned the blade, so it's a good sign! I am not confident yet to use a splash but I did the Proraso shave this morning, awesome!

I'm suprised that I can shave with ease under my nose. When I started with a DE I had troubles finding the right angle/direction and with a straight, the shave is great there (that's one spot!)

Like most starters, my jawline and chin is the problem. My cheeks are also rough but I will get there eventually.

Hey, good on you Luc! Keep at it and you'll get better. It took me a few weeks putting up with scratches and nicks before I got to the smooth shave everyone talks about. A year later and it's like second nature. I went to straights first, then tried DEs. I have to say I much prefer straight shaves, but will keep a couple DEs (NEWs) around for quick shaves and travel.

What straight are you using?

s.
 
Thanks everyone!

Shave #2 this morning...

I'm suprised that I can shave with ease under my nose. When I started with a DE I had troubles finding the right angle/direction and with a straight, the shave is great there (that's one spot!)

I have found it the same. Under the nose and my cheeks have been easy from the start ... At first I was apprehensive about laying the blade straight in under my nose -- but as it turns out it's easy. Now my chin ... That's a whole different story.

But I'm confident for all of us new guys, it will come in time.

Regards:
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
Thansk again for the comments!

I noticed this morning that I have a couple of scratches... It looks like I had a fight with a cat :lol:

The aftershave splash was a bit rough but it's all good now...

I currently have a borrowed razor stamped Made in England... I would need to have a look at it tonight.
 
Thats the interesting thing about straights, you do feel them cutting the hair more than DEs. Its strange considering they give a closer shave. But aslong as the shave is comfortable and smooth.

Good onya mate and keep it up... its addictive.

+B
 
Awesome, I am glad that you tried it! I hope you enjoy straight shaving more and more! I cant wait to get my razors back from a honemeister! Is your razor still pulling?

was the razor "properly" honed when you got it?
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
Awesome, I am glad that you tried it! I hope you enjoy straight shaving more and more! I cant wait to get my razors back from a honemeister! Is your razor still pulling?

was the razor "properly" honed when you got it?

The second shave was smoother and didn't pull as much. I currently use newspaper to strop it. I suspect that newspaper stropping will polish the edge for a while but is in no way as good as proper stropping with leather... I borrowed the razor to have the straight shave experience.

I will eventually get a leather strop but yes the razor is properly hone as it pass the hair test!
 
I am going to begin by stropping with newspaper too since I don't have a proper strop yet.

Actually, I took a genco razor that looked like it had a bevel but did not shave arm hair and I started practicing the X-pattern on newspaper after about 20 minutes or so it began to cut arm hair when the blade was at a certain angle!

Since you said your razor was properly honed, the pulling might be due to the blade angle being less than ideal! I was watching one of Jockeys' straight shaving videos and he mentioned that your razor might pull if you don't have that nice blade angle. All the best!
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
I am going to begin by stropping with newspaper too since I don't have a proper strop yet.

Actually, I took a genco razor that looked like it had a bevel but did not shave arm hair and I started practicing the X-pattern on newspaper after about 20 minutes or so it began to cut arm hair when the blade was at a certain angle!

Since you said your razor was properly honed, the pulling might be due to the blade angle being less than ideal! I was watching one of Jockeys' straight shaving videos and he mentioned that your razor might pull if you don't have that nice blade angle. All the best!

That's what I was thinking. My technique with a straight is probably as good as my technique with a DE on day 1!
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
The borrowed razor is a Deputy - A.E. Woolhouse, Melbourne, Made in England. Light and good to begin with.
 
Nice to hear Luc, apparently my shave ready straight and stop has arrived today. I follow your progress with interest.
 

Luc

"To Wiki or Not To Wiki, That's The Question".
Staff member
I'm keeping the next shave for this week-end as it takes me around 45 mins to shave. I will need to work or I can get up at 5am... :lol:
 
Just so you know Luc and guys, just because a razor passes a HHT doesnt mean it will give an acceptable shave. Im sure your razor IS shave ready, but just because a razor passes the hanging hair test doesnt mean it will give a comfortable shave. I get razors passing the HHT of a 1200 stone (and have even got it off a 320 grit), but it still needs to go through 4k, 8k 12k and leather before it will give a comfy shave.

Good on you guys and enjoy this new world. Learn to shave well first then have a crack a honeing.

+Buckler
 
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