Thread: Righty Tighty; Lefty Loosey

Thanks all for the tips and encouragement. This really is a wonderful forum.

Did my second shave today. As expected (by me) I exhibited next to no patience, and ended up shaving my entire face again, with the grain. Right side, really very good all the way from cheek top to neck root. Left side, much improved. Maybe similar to the right side yesterday.

Less nervous - that really helped a lot. Avoided my usual pre-shave oil, which made my hold on the blade less slippery (something I never considered before). Changed my grip from two fingers on the tail and two on the spine to one finger on the tail and three on the spine. Seemed to help me. Also, watched a video on skin stretching techniques and the advice seemed to really help my shave.

Darren

Hey Darren,

Welcome!! I did the same as you, full face from the start. I didn't have any trouble with the left hand at all unless you count...in the mirror, right was left, up was down, in was out, the sweat rolled off my forehead so bad it was washing the lather off my face, and...I finally realized breathing was beneficial.

But, in very short order my left hand became the more proficient hand, and still is. I think it didn't have any bad habits to overcome.

Hang in there....it'll surprise you how quickly it develops!!!

Regards,

Howard

Thanks Howard.

You're right - it is easy to concentrate on manual tasks so hard that you forget to breathe. Wouldn't think it would be possible, but it is. I used to work as a goldsmith and when I was doing something really delicate my hands would start shaking and I couldn't figure out why, until the master goldsmith I worked with informed me that I wasn't breathing. The mind-body connection is weird.

Yeah, having someone looking over your shoulder could really ratchet up the stress. Watched a goldsmith in Toledo Spain once and he was masterful with his craft. He made it look so easy and natural that I started thinking I could almost do it.

But, you wait.....that left hand will shine!!!

Howard

Perhaps we can add a range of pre - shaving 'teas' to the regime that help the body relax...) camomile should do it because coffee can get my hands all shakey-like

Shave #201.7 - 新年快樂!!!




Happy New Year!!!


Got my New Year shave on this morning.

Synergy Cavendish Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (1)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

Well, I'm back in my own home. The parent's visit was awesome, we took them around to many places. It was great to see them. We only get to meet every couple years, but when we do, it tends to be pretty intensive. We were with each other almost 24/7 for 3 weeks, with no issues at all, but it is nice to get back into the our house. (My mom has mobility issues, so we gave them our house, which has an elevator, and is close to the MRT, while we took an AirBNB). They left the day before Chinese New Year's Eve. Everything shuts down for 7-10 days during the New Year, so there's not much point in being a tourist here during the holidays.

Today is Lunar New Year Day. Yesterday (New Year's Eve) my wife and I were busy with family stuff. This morning was a bit relaxed for us, so I took the time to enjoy a shave. I got a nice BBS in 3.5 passes.


PS

Hey Teddi, thanks for reading. I assume your post is referring to a much earlier post that I made. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the journal and have a wonderful straight razor journey.

Shave #207.8 - Pre-Concert Shave

Heading to a concert, wanted a quick shave, so...

Synergy Cavendish Shave Soap
Semogue 2013
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (2)
PAA CaD

BBS.

Shave #202 - Routine Sharpening

Synergy Cavendish Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
DOVO Palisander 6/8" (10)
Clubman Classic
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

My shave was still in pretty decent shape from yesterday, so in 2.5 passes I was able to get into DFS++ territory. The shave felt nice and comfortable. I was a bit worried, as I've been neglecting my straight razors for awhile, so I thought shaving with one might feel a smidge awkward -- but no, it seems to be well entrenched in my muscle memory.

After shaving I gave the DOVO 7 laps on the 0.5 diamond spray, followed by the leather as usual. My current maintenance plan is to refresh on the Norton, shave 10 times, refresh on diamond spray, shave 10 times, refresh on the Norton, etc., etc. We will see how that feels for me. The DOVO shaved just fine today, but the edge had lost its wow-factor a couple shaves ago. If I get more picky, I might want to shorten my maintenance schedule.

Shave #203 - Bad Shave

My wife is in Singapore on business, my parents are gone, I've still got a week of vacation and the place to myself, so I thought I'd do some shaving...

Tabac Original Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
WISS Ugly Duckling 9/16" (10/9)
PAA CaD
Gentlemen's Tonic AS Balm

I thought I'd grab another quick 2.5 passes in the hopes of keeping my shave in that DFS/SAS zone through daily shaving. The shave left me in the DFS+-ish zone, but I made a bit of a mess of it. I have weepers and little scrapes/splotches all over the place, and the aftershave burned like crap. I was heavy handed! Usually this is a sign that I'm subconsciously finding the blade dull and compensating with pressure, so she goes on the pile for honing. I'll probably touch up the WISS and the ERN while I have the house to myself.

Originally Posted by TaipeiJake

Also, watched a video on skin stretching techniques and the advice seemed to really help my shave.

Darren

For me the whole skin tension (and direction) was the big key. Much of the process comes down to muscle memory, and that = practice.

The problem areas soon become match-book sized zones that you learn as you go, some times with a light-bulb moment - sometimes you will wonder why that area ever gave you problems.

It is a skill worth learning - but there are no hacks or cheat codes to the process.

It's like Yoda says: "There is no try - there is do...and not do"

Enjoy the journey...you are off to a good start.