Thread: The Pace of Learning

After a recent shave I realized that I've become proficient using a str8 razor. I know that sounds strange and a little boastful but it's true. The most noticeable proof has been a progression from 40 minute shaves with carefully thought out strokes, occasional irritation & touch ups to a 15 minute smooth, even, consistently good, irritation free shave with little to no supplementary thoughts. Almost automatic movements.


This realization got me thinking about the factors that contributed to my progress through the learning curve and what I found helped me go from unconscious incompetence (frustration) to unconscious competence (learned skill) as quickly as possible. I offer them below in hopes it may help others in their journey. Feel free to add your own.


After the obvious shave ready razor, proper kit, beard prep, understanding the angles & reviewing shave videos the difficult learning begins. That's where I found the following practices helped me.


1.) Time & Space. Allow for plenty of time and don't forget to shut and lock the door if necessary. Removing distractions will keep your concentration high, reducing the risk level allows you to relax and aides learning.


2.) Turn Fear into Respect. Although you're working with a very sharp blade exercising a basic respect for handling your razor will avoid serious injury. You would have to make a very big mistake to seriously cut yourself while shaving. The sooner you become comfortable with this the faster your learning will progress.


3.) Use the same razor. When learning a dexterity based skill it's advisable to eliminate any and all variables that may directly affect repeatably. Razors are like snowflakes. Each a little different. Feel, handling, size, weight & balance are all different. Regularly changing razors during early learning stages introduces variables that will lengthen your learning time. There's plenty of time later to add new razors plus you'll be able to adapt to them quicker with your newly learned skill.