Q: Why is SRing like golf?

A: Because of erratic way you do it perfectly one time and the next time you tee up you shank it into the woods. Yesterday I marveled at how, for the first time after several trials and aborts, I did the under chin against the grain like I was born to it. And the skin was so smooth I couldn't believe it. And yet ... today the magic, she is gone. Through force of will I did manage a shadow of yesterday's performance but the end result was ... not so much. Uneven, more sting with the alum, and smooth as a baby's butt as long as we're speaking of baby hippos.

Clearly it's gonna be a long time before this comes together regularly and reliably. But I'll get there!

Make notes on what you noticed about lather, water temp, what phase the moon is in :<0). It's the little things. When it doesn't work you can look back and say "ahhhhh". For me I found a base line within a couple of weeks. Then I experimented with other things to see what happens. All my problems now seem to come with introducing a new razor to my face. "hello 8/8. Should I get the medical kit out now ? " Sounds like your still enjoying it.

I have to echo 10Pups suggestion. The most important thing I did early on was to really pay attention to each stroke I made with the razor. If it was easy to perform and cleanly shaved the area I would actually stop and make a note in a note book (not a mental note because no way I would remember) identifying the area of my face, the hand I used, the grip & how I stretched the skin. I know it seems like a lot of work but it really isn't. I only did it for the more difficult areas like chin, under nose etc. Next time shaving I'd look at the note and followed my own instructions. It really worked and became less necessary as my memory started to lock them in place. Now the only notes I use are the ones my wife leaves me in the honey do jar.

Same razor (Aust 5/8) same soap (Mitchell's). But yesterday I was attacking a 2 day growth and today a single day. Did I have a different handhold? Maybe. Can't be certain on that one.

SR'ing is like playing a musical instrument; some days you're hot; some days you're not. That's the fun of the 'art.'

Totally newbish of me, but I sit down and try and put into a post my preshave, shave and post shave methodology, notes and thoughts.

I helped myself unwittingly as I had to refer back for one step.

Great golf analogy, for what it's worth.

Golf is a pce of cake,am a scratch player.Always shoot par,I am an expert golfer.
If par at a course is 72,I quit when I get to 72,might be thru only 10 holes,but what the hay.
My Ball striking Is perfection,I drive a ball no less than 325 yrds on any par 5.
100 yrds off the tee,100 yrds up in the air, 125 yrds to the extreame right.SR shaving is like Golf and fishing in many aspects.
Many lies and factiods abound:)

Maybe still raw from yesterdays attack :<0) It's funny how we think the same about a skin cut as we do a skin scrape. I actually wonder sometimes if a scrape hurts more latter. There is no scab but what if we are taking a healing layer off the surface the next day. Think sun burn. Somebody analyze this and give us the facts.....I wanna see microscopic pictures too.

As for golf ...with me the only shots that count are the ones I meant to hit that way. I can be next to the pin on a par 5 in 2 shots but the 3rd I didn't mean to hit back to the club house so ... it doesn't count.

Shaving, once you've developed a routine, is a consistant endeavor for the most part. Sounds to me like you need to skip a day or two in between attempts.

Golf, however, is an entirely different paradigm. More coordinated body movements and a huge mental aspect = less consistant results. If I could tame my push as easily and add some more yards... I may never come off the course.

Hopefully, SR Shaving is nothing like golf. Last time I played golf, I lost my balls.
For me, it's more like making beer. Same recipe, same procedure, one outstanding batch, one 5 gallon batch of vinegar.

Funny how we seem to be learning similar lessons at similar times.
I had to back away from the mirror this morning...breathe, regroup, focus and start again...from square one: Clean the shaving cream off, clean the brush and start all over.

I know you've read through the depths of the forum; you know even the best here aren't above having an 'off day.'

I'm reminded of a quote I once read that sums this topic up quite nicely:

"Because I'm awesome at it." Tiger Woods.

:D

James.

Nice comparison. I hope they aren't too much alike because I'm horrible at golf ALL the time.