Thread: First experience

Hey Orion,

The learning curve varies in time for each guy. There's no race, no bragging rights. That your initial shaves aren't fabulous - what's surprising about that? Few things requiring skill are done perfectly on the first attempts. One of the odd things about str8 shaving is that your skills improve almost whether or not you work at it. If I could support anything - it would be to relax and enjoy the shaves, rather than strain for the ultimate in bbs. You'll have more fun. Certain small techniques will pop up or be discovered as you experiment w/ stretches and strokes, and in short order, you'll be getting the best shaves of your life.

Thanks to all for your encouraging comments. I am a patient man so no worries.

I just do one of each type of pass starting with the grain then across then ending with against. There are areas that are hard to go against the grain. Stretching/pulling the skin to an area that is easier (flatter) to shave. I find that rubbing my fingers on an alum block or stick helps you get good grip on wet skin to stretch it more. Also the alum is nice to rub on your face after you shave to 1) Help with closing up the pores so aftershave doesn't burn so bad, 2) Close up minor nicks and cuts (a deep slice will require a styptic pencil which will sting more but stop the bleeding in a few seconds) and 3) it will tell you by the localized burn where your trouble spots are. For example, I am left handed and so my left cheek is the easiest and thus has no stinging sensation when rubbed with alum but the right will have a little sting. Same with the neck. My left neck will have some sting and the right will have quite some more sting (the neck is my trouble spot sometimes). Like everyone else said it takes time and you will be having smooth shaves day after day and you won't even have to think about what your doing because of the muscle memory and basically it will be like riding a bike. A dangerous sharp bladed bike. Sometimes I like to go back to a craptridge mach 3 just to see the improvement of what it use to be. Even when I do three passes like I would with a straight I may get really close but my face is burning hotter than the sun. Happy shaves man