Accident Leads to First Mostly-Full Shave

But it worked pretty well...

I've slowly been increasing how much I shave with a straight razor. I'm to the point I'm fairly comfortable with my cheeks and the sides of my neck, but had never gotten to the chin or the front of my neck. Those I've been doing with the safety razor.

Then I went out of town for the weekend. When I got to the hotel, I found I'd forgotten to pack my safety razor. (I had everything for SR shaving.) Suddenly, my choices became "get courageous and go for it" or "let my beard grow and look scraggly." Since it had been two days since I had shaved, another 4 would give me a nice "wild, mountain man" look. That idea just didn't appeal to me, so I screwed up my courage and went for it.

I could not find a comfortable way to shave my chin, so ended up wearing a short goatee for the weekend. But I successfully shaved my neck without slicing anything to bits. I call that a success!

Congrats! Take it step by step. It gets better. Don't worry about the nicks...they heal eventually! ;-)

Option 3 -- you could have gone to the corner store and got a disposable :p
But you made a good decision. I've only been at it about three weeks, but my shaves are approaching DFS. That said, I still bleed on a daily basis (stubborn area just below my lower lip to the right of my chin) and I still can't get really close on my chin. Nothing that more practice won't solve.

Keep with it -- it will get better.

Congrats on going for it. For me the chin will always be of issue due to my clef. I have to take extra time to get it where I am happy. You are doing the right thing by approaching this in steps. It took me weeks to go ATG when I started. When that day comes just take a deep breath relax and go for it. When your hand trembles a little, stop and take a deep breath, relax & lower your shoulders and go again. There are many people that use a DE for touch up or shaving areas that they don't feel comfortable with putting a Straight on. We have all been through this and I applaud you for your efforts. :gl:

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Originally Posted by BDRebel

Option 3 -- you could have gone to the corner store and got a disposable :p

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We did end up at a grocery store the next morning. But by then, I'd already done my shave.

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That said, I still bleed on a daily basis

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I freaked my wife out about a week ago, trying to get one spot on the right side of my neck. The hairs grow at a weird angle, and nothing I did seemed to get them. I ended up giving myself a rather nasty cut while trying. (I finally tried shaving that area with my off-hand and the changed angle worked.)

Congrats! As has been said, you're taking a very good approach to things. While it's possible to jump in with both feet and tackle the tough bits right away, that often leads to very bad things. :)

The chin will come with time. Keep on getting comfortable with the process and with your razor and it will happen.

:tu