Thread: My disastrous first shave.

Yikes that sounds like a bad experience but it will be one you look back on and laugh at.

May I suggest firstly getting a cheap Parker Shavette? I started with one of these and although my wife thought I had been fighting with the cat prior to falling in a vat of small toilet paper peices after my first shave, it helped me learn the "feel" and develop the muscle memory before getting my first straight. It also showed me I need an introduction to Alum and styptic pencils…lol.

The great thing with the Parker is you can remove the blade and practice those difficult initial moves as well as the actions of stropping with out ruining a good blade or a strop. Just learning not to hit the razor on the tap and to keep the scales dry in use is hard enough but with a little practice it all comes second nature, and if you drop the Parker or hit it on the faucet it matters not.

When I picked up my first real straight, apart from a few minor nicks it was plain sailing as I had already learnt to handle the routine and the shave with my shavette.

I just lent my Parker Shavette to my friend who is also now enjoying the "feel" of a straight. Once he is sorted I will show him how to strop etc.

I wouldn't use your straight at the moment, it will need to be honed again. May I also suggest spending time watching the videos and practicing the actions (even with the parker blade free) as this will develop your knowledge and muscle memory. My I also suggest that you get a poor mans strop kit from Larry at Whipped Dog as its better you nick a cheap strop then an expensive one, then once you have mastered the art buy a decent strop.

These first steps are baby steps and we all had to take them, and we all had mishaps of sorts for sure, but it won't be long and you'll be straight shaving and maintaining your own blade and enjoying it too.

My wife tells a great story of my first shave to all my friends and although I was embarrassed initially I now roll with laughter at the experience.

Practice make perfect my friend, don't be discouraged, you just discovered you need more practice…