Thread: First experience

I finally did my first full face shaving after spending few days only trying little areas. The good news is I didn't cut myself; only a tiny nick, The bad news is that the results are not near as smooth as I was expecting. After shaving my face feels no better than when I use disposable razors. I hope this gets better with more experience. The most difficult part has been to create a thick lather; I am still working on it.

What would be the usual time for a newbie to start experimenting with ATG? Don't want to slice my face. Thanks.

Some people suggest with the grain, across the grain and against the grain. That's a lot of passes, but it's supposed to be how the pros do it. I'm no pro, but I do go against the grain in some spots.

Don't be afraid to experiment. I do 2 ATG only on the neck. I don't bother with wtg or xtg as it is useless for me. YMMV as always.

I would say it was a few weeks before I got really close shaves. Even at that, there are still some spots on the neck that are difficult to get ATG. Take it slow and it'll get there. You can get as close as you want with a straight - just takes more practice/skill. So don't fret - you WILL get closer shaves than the cartridge. And the biggest advantage (to me anyway) is that is comes with far less discomfort. If I ever went ATG with cartridge I was just asking for irritation.

I start with then cross and my neck and chin where the hair is thick get a AGT pass but bout it bbs every time ... time is the sweetener in life with a lil time it will be candy dont worrie we all have a learning curve to go thru just the nature of the life style (yes its a life style not a hobby just ask lol)

I have to say we all learn at different rates. I do with and then two across, one is east to west and the other west to east and then against. It sounds like you need some technique development time. No worries it all comes. Sometimes it's a slow curve and sometimes a light comes on. We all have to learn what works for our face and wiskers.

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

I am a few months in, and am STARTING to get pretty good close shaves on most of my face. What changed things for me was PMing a mentor regarding my technique. Things improved rapidly after that.
This was a few weeks ago now. I would say that everything he told me I probably could have found on the forum, but those half a dozen messages brought everything together. Writing the messages also made me think about what I was doing.
Best of luck, don't stress, you get another go in a day or two.