First straight attempt - thoughts and questions

I tried a straight razor for the first time today. It's a Genco on loan from @Drygulch. I stropped before shaving, about 20 times on the linen side and then about 35 on the leather. I then showered and got ready to shave.

Lather was TSD's Barber Shoppe. Great scent and always great performance. I lathered up my cheeks only because that was my target - one WTG pass on the cheeks. I attempted to have a nice, hydrated lather, but I think it went on a little thin.

I lathered up my cheeks and then set to work. Very awkward trying to start with my right hand. I couldn't see over my hand in the mirror to line it up with my sideburn. I started anyway. First couple of strokes were decent. I was conscious of the angle and fiddled with it some to find the best one. Continued down my right cheek with skin stretching, still going okay. I stretched my bottom lip up to pull up the jawline skin. Something happened and I got a small nick (or scrape) just below my jaw. Nothing bad though.

Big takeaway from the right cheek - the razor seemed to bounce along. It didn't seem smooth. It was bouncy and rough feeling. What did I do wrong?

Moving to the left cheek. Switched hands, which was awkward because I am right handed. First few strokes were decent. I had a little more confidence. I didn't go quite as far down my jawline after the scrape. But pretty good success here. Razor still bouncing some.

Both cheeks are done, so I rinsed off the lather and reapplied. I applied and face lathered vigorously as I normally do to see if the lather was part of the skipping problem. I lathered all over, but just wanted to do a second pass on my cheeks for more practice. These passes were easier and smoother, but they should be since most of the stubble has been reduced. No cuts or nicks or scrapes. I did my left mandible area under my ear with decent success. I did one little stroke on my neck and backed away. That was scary feeling.

I washed off all the lather, reapplied and finished up the shave with my Schick I1 injector. Decent shave overall.

The scrape below the jawline was the only blood letting. I'm pretty proud of that!

Things I realized quickly:
- Skin stretching is an absolute must. I'll have to practice this.
- A bouncing and skipping razor is not pleasant.
- I need to lather up just like normal, even if I rinse it off on an area that I don't shave with the straight.
- My left hand needs work.
- I need a lot more confidence before trying to shave my neck.

So, you guys with straights experience, why do you think the razor skipped around? Not enough pressure? Poor lather? (The lather was decent, but the second application was better).

I'd love to hear your thoughts and critiques!

The setup:
SOTD December 18, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Straight Razor: Genco (sorry, I don't know the specifics)
Rescue Razor: Schick I1 injector
Brush: JR #60 synthetic
Lather: TSD Barber Shoppe
Post: Witch hazel splash, TSD Barber Shoppe aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up (basically, but really couldn't keep it on track due to using the straight)

 

First, congratulations on taking the SR plunge!
The majority of first-time shaves with an SR are less-than-ideal experiences—but the more you keep at it, the better they get!
I'm going to assume your 'bouncy/skippy' razor is due to insufficient pressure on your stroke. Lack of or insufficient pressure is a common occurrence for many newcomers. The tentativeness is understandable considering the unfamiliarity of dragging a razor-sharp 3" blade across one's face. With more practice, you'll develop a better feel for the amount of pressure to exert n your strokes. With experience comes confidence; with confidence comes the development of your skill in either hand holding the razor.

 

Thanks, Kevin! I have always read "little to no pressure" which is what I attempted, but apparently I needed more. And yes, I was understandably tentative!

 

Kevin saved me the typing.
Like he said, the skipping is common. I went through it, you will, too.
Stick with it. We're pullin' for ya!

 

Perry, we've been anticipating you're report. Since it hasn't been that long since my first str8 shave, I can relate. I had the blood part though. Stay with it, it gets better with each shave

 

By the way, it isn't a requirement to swap hands with your str8. I make all three passes holding the str8 in my right hand. I know Glen @gssixgun does, as well.

 

I'm pretty new at this also. Fear is a player here and for good reason. Confidence needs to be established as you move forward. Hard to describe but a firm light hand wins the day. Angle, control, confidence. Don't try to be clean in one pass. The second pass is always easier, at least for me. Congratulations on giving it a go...

 

Whoo hoo! Only gets better from here. Agree that a less tentative stroke is needed. That is a very light razor and doesn't have enough weight to plow through on its own. Props for using the square point first! I would keep using the same razor. I would also suggest making your lather more runny than you are used to. The awkwardness goes away with practice. Short strokes also help, like one inch or so.

 

Be proud of this first shave. Only a very minor scrape? That's great, it wakes you up and makes you pay attention.
I agree with others, more pressure. Not necessarily more pressure on the skin, but try a firmer grip, with more assertive strokes.
I learned to use only one hand and that's the way I do it. Sideburns are an issue with me too, but you can even them up with an E/W or W/E stroke, away from the ear.

 

This is true. One can do just fine with a single hand. However, I have found less contortions are required when one approaches the passes with two hands (using both right and left hands to hold the razor). Esoteric Dept: Using two hands is extremely helpful in using a kamisori in the traditional method (i.e. the ura or stamped-side facing outwards).

 

I'm right handed, but find that I had better control with my left. Go figure.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses! My left hand was actually much better than I anticipated. I could get used to using it with no problems, I think. But I'll keep the right hand only method in mind as well.

Did I strop correctly, or in correct proportions and number of laps? I did about 18-20 on the linen and 35 or so on the leather. Is that sufficient? It's harder than I thought to keep the blade evenly on the strop. I found it drifted a little bit laterally as I moved it back and forth. I slowed down and tried to keep it even.

I like the "firmer grip" advice here. That may have been part of it. I was so tentative all around.

I will say that my cheeks are really, really smooth after just two WTG passes. I can see how straight shaving produces baby smooth skin.

 

I stay away from the linen and only do leather, after a good edge has been established. 20-25 post shave and 20-25 preshave, on leather.

 

Good job,
Your hands develop a feel for it, with patients and stick-to-it-ness. I still cut myself occasionally, but usually while chasing or carelessness. But a cetain blade riding know how will develop with time.
I too strop leather only pre-shave, then linen and leather after. Quality stropping seems to be key in the longevity of the edge.
Speed of stroke meens nothing, but quality of stroke is everything.
Well done, way to step up and try something new.

 

I do 25 linen, 50 leather, as recommended by Glen after he honed my str8s.

 

After each shave, and before each shave? Or, just after the Hone?

 

Glen said not to strop before the first shave after the hone. After that, before every shave. He's been doing this a lot longer than I, I'll heed his advice.

 

Good to know. I'm going to give it a try. I'm always open to trying new, to me, shaving techniques.

 

I always strop 10 laps on linen and 10 laps on leather after each shave. This is mainly to fully dry and clean the edge. I then do about 20 linen and 30 linen before the shave to prep the blade. Also keep in mind a lap is one trip up, and one trip down on the other side of the blade.

 

That's basically my routine. I also complete about 10 laps on the leather between passes. It (psychologically) helps