Newbie Questions that need Experienced Answers

ffpotts7 · 08-15-2008, 11:35 PM

Hey guys! I just finished my 2nd shave with a straight.....still alive, although I have a few questions. On my upper lip, chin, and some parts of my neck, the razor seems to pull my hair pretty bad. It's pretty uncomfortable and I was wondering if that's normal or if I was doing something wrong/razor not sharp enough or something? It's only been about 48 hours since I shaved last so the hairs not amazon dense or anything! I bought a strop today and gave it my best shot but dont know if I did it correctly. I didn't really apply pressure and was mindfull not to roll on the blade. Any advice? I'd appreciate it! THANKS!!!

thebigspendur · 08-16-2008, 12:20 AM

A razor should never pull, period. It could be your technique or the razor may need honing. Tell us about your razor and where you got it and how do you know its shave ready. Also if you didn't have a strop that could be a possibility also. Usually the first few shaves if you don't cut yourself and get massive razor burn your ahead of the game. I wouldn't even recommend doing your entire face the first few shaves.

netsurfr · 08-16-2008, 12:32 AM

+1 I second not trying to do your whole face until you get your technique down a bit. In addition, the razor should never pull as bigspendur says.

Utopian · 08-16-2008, 12:44 AM

The best advice I can offer, beyond what has already been suggested, is to read the stickies in the Newbies Corner. Also, read postings of others in that section. You will find that your question has been asked and answered many times before. You can learn a lot from reading old posts.
Good luck with it.

ffpotts7 · 08-16-2008, 01:30 AM

My razor is a Harrison Brother and Howson given to by Cobo(member). It is suppose to be shave ready and I have no reason to doubt him. However I wouldn't be able to tell you if it was for sure or not! Thanks!

Cobo · 08-24-2008, 06:59 PM

I rehoned the razor right before I sent it off, it was good and sharp. It's possible that your stropping could be slightly off. The razor does smile (an intentional smile) so when you strop you have to be sure you're getting the entire blade, not just the middle where it's highest point is.

dward · 08-24-2008, 11:14 PM

If you haven't already done so I recommend you purchase Lynn's CD. In it he suggests that you start slowly by shaving just the sideburns to the jaw line. Once you feel comfortable with those areas, move to others, and XG and ATG.

Dan

thebigspendur · 08-25-2008, 12:46 AM

If we assume the razor was shave ready when you got it then what is left? Either you dulled the blade when you stropped or your shaving technique needs honing or a combination of both. Try some arm hair shaving and see what happens. Those arm hairs should fall in shear terror of the approaching blade. If they don't the blade is at least one of the problems.

jnich67 · 08-25-2008, 01:49 AM

In my experience and from reading this board for a couple years, I think it’s fair to say that the upper lip, the chin and perhaps the neck are most difficult areas to shave when you are just starting out. It’s hard to maintain the proper angle around the chin. For me, it just took practice and watching videos.

Jordan

fritz · 08-25-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnich67

In my experience and from reading this board for a couple years, I think it’s fair to say that the upper lip, the chin and perhaps the neck are most difficult areas to shave when you are just starting out. It’s hard to maintain the proper angle around the chin. For me, it just took practice and watching videos.
Jordan

Yes, and I used to wonder why such a big fraction of str8 shavers had goatees and/or mustaches. But now I know, since I probably spend about 2/3 of the total shaving time on upper lip and chin...

jnich67 · 08-25-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritz

Yes, and I used to wonder why such a big fraction of str8 shavers had goatees and/or mustaches. But now I know, since I probably spend about 2/3 of the total shaving time on upper lip and chin...

Yup, my first thought after my first attempt at straight shaving was - "...so that's how that silly looking Hitler mustache came about..."

Jordan

Ernie · 08-25-2008, 03:30 PM

What is your shaving experience so far? Have you used a DE before? If we assume that the blade is not the culprit, then there are still three areas I see that can cause hurt. They are pre-shave prep, direction of shave in regards to hair growth, and blade angle towards skin.

For now, I would follow some of the advice here and just shave part of your face. The sideburn/cheeks I found to be the most easiest to work on and get "right".

Cobo · 08-25-2008, 06:07 PM

Also, it's been said already but I can put enough emphasis on the importance of stretching the skin in those areas. Pull all the funny faces you can to see what will put the maximum stretch on your skin for your chin.

PuFFaH · 08-26-2008, 10:32 PM

Pull the skin rather than contort the face.

PuFF