Thread: First experience

It takes quite a bit longer to get a good shave with a straight than most would imagine starting into it. The learning curve varies with the individual too. You will know when you are ready to try ATG when you feel comfortable enough with a straight to try it. No need to push it it will come naturally.

Bob

When I first started, I would shave WTG and then follow with a couple of XTG passes with a safety razor. Once I felt pretty comfortable WTG, I added an ATG pass with the straight. I would then do some cleanup with the safety. Now I'm able to use the straight only, WTG and ATG, and get BBS every time. Some thoughts:

- it's all about the angles, and learning to adjust them based on the type of pass and the contours of your face
- sharper is better (obviously) but you need to match the razor to your beard. I have a fairly heavy beard, and a 5/8 full hollow, no matter how sharp it is, does not have the umph to cut through my beard, especially if I have a couple of days of growth. I need at least a 6/8 half hollow.
- the chin takes time to master. Stretching and buffering are very helpful.
- if you can go WTG and ATG, XTG is not really necessary. I find XTG more useful when using a safety.
- buy styptic pencils in bulk. You can never have enough.

Patience will pay off in the end.

+1 to all what the previous members have said. I found that being semi ambidextrous helped and point out that when I used my non dominant left hand I shaved with a much lighter pressure and got the same result as with my dominant hand BUT with out the irritation and razor burn. I also found that, because of life long tics and muscular jerks, that I developed a Zen like start and paused and focused on what I was doing and tried not to let my mind wander. Every time I lost concentration I nicked myself. Find the mentor in your area and get with him. They are usually more than willing to hone a few razors and guide you thru the process with a heck of a lot of support. I'm an old dog learning new tricks and if I can get close to a perfect shave than anyone can do the same. (Come to think of it, I don't want that perfect shave. How can you improve on perfection?)

Patience and bless the alum block.

I would say you're still getting used to moving your hand a particular way to shave with the straight. You do need to become proficient with this first. I bet the first time you shaved the left side of your face, esp if you used your left hand, it felt really weird.

Going ATG or XTG is another movement entirely. ATG on the neck requires you to hold the razor as if your going to cut your throat, and even just standing there HOLDING the razor like that feels dangerous. If you keep the angle very low, hold the razor very loosely (I use only two fingers on the pivot for ATG so the razor moves rather than digging in) use a weaker (i.e. more water) lather for the ATG pass, and use very short light strokes you'll be fine.

However, technique aside, remember that shaving with a straight removes skin (unlike with a plastic thingy) you would have felt like you had a very fresh almost raw feeling face. If you go too fast into tow passes (or indeed do two passes later on) before the skin has adjusted (or settled down) you'll be all red and raw and uncomfortable.

I'd start looking at ATG maybe six weeks into shaving with a straight, IF a WTG pass is going OK.

PS, I really think adding some water to your lather and making a more watery lather helps a lot, as does the loose grip I talked of.