Thread: Putting your shave in perspective

I am the proud owner of a new addiction...SR shaving and acquisition of quality supplies to use. However, maybe 15 shaves in, I found myself being unsatisfied with my shaves.

Then I thought, "Harold, you been shaving daily for more than 50 years with double edge, injectors, cartridge razors, disposables, etc., and you've only been prepping for and shaving with a SR for a few weeks. Lighten up!"

Then I shaved one day with my back-up (one of those cartridge razors with the amazingly expensive 3 blade....yeah I know they make a 4 & 5 blade now...cartridges) and felt my face. I had the same shave as my SR shaves in some areas (neck, chin, etc.), an equal or worse shave in the easy areas (sideburns to jaw)....and I thought, "Are you expecting better than what you've been practicing with for 50 years in a few weeks?"

Obviously, the right answer is a resounding NO! So I've adjusted my short term expectations and am going to relax. Maybe some others might want to ask themselves the same question?!?

Nothing strange about what you say! It takes many people 6 months to perfect their technique, learn their face and get a brilliant shave consistently. I really enjoy developing my technique, especially learning to use as little pressure as I can and getting my touch-ups right so that no patches of stubble are left.

This is a very good post for perspective. Although I have not been shaving for 50 years (more like 25) but I still need to remember that this is a learned skill and will improve over time. The simple fact is that my shaves do keep improving all the time and I keep learning something new so I know it can only get better. One thing is for sure, shaving is not boring anymore and my skin feels so much better than using cartridges/electric shavers.

Yea, that is a very good perspective when you are starting out. Personally, I have been shaving the better part of 45 years with a little over a year of that with straights. I am satisfied when I equal the shave I get from my DE which is usually close as damn to BBS. I generally get less irritation from a straight though.

Bob

I relish that small taste of fear, the focusing of attention when you pick up that beautiful razor and think, this is such a nice experience, the weight and look of the razor, the nice scales, and the possibility that you may either scar yourself for life or profoundly slice the shite out of your face or neck and bleed everywhere.

Nothing like a small dose of fear to wake you up and focus the mind....that, and it feels great and is an enjoyable experience!

Once you get the knack of it, it took me 6 months of daily shaving, your shave will be far better than any of the new-fangled stuff. Once you get it, you'll never go back!

Six years into it I still find my shaves improving. I hit plateaus where I feel like it is as good as it is going to get and then I'll learn a new bit of technique in stretching, lathering, stroke or what have you. I bought my last package of Gillette "Good News" disposables in 2006 and haven't shaved with anything but a straight or the occasional DE since.

Best of all I've exchanged a daily chore for a hobby that I truly enjoy. Not only the superior shaves, the razors, strops, hones, soaps and creams. Then when I think of all the money I've saved on disposables .............. ..........

Yeah, but the money you saved on disposables went right out the door on the magnificent straights and supporting equipment and products. I have to blind myself each time I find a new passion to the set-up costs and the having to check my acquisition disorder at the door when I go out to shop. There were times when I went out to shop I left all the plastics at home and questioned every purchase possibility with "Do I need this or do I want this?" I've saved a great deal of money over the years just to go hog wild with an all consuming passion -like straight razor shaving. What the heck, at my age I figure I can debt my way to the big exit what with all the little card insurances they have now for the consumer. Check with me in 20 when I'll be 100 and holding on to my straight with both hands so I can have a BBS shave.

Well, well, well. How nice for you that you can relax during this learning process. I'm wound tighter than a snare drum in a marching band and expect perfection at all costs. I picked a bad month to stop drinking coffee

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Well, well, well. How nice for you that you can relax during this learning process. I'm wound tighter than a snare drum in a marching band and expect perfection at all costs. I picked a bad month to stop drinking coffee

I picked a bad month to give up drinking alcohol :-)