Odds and ends

[Spokeshave]

After doing this for a few months I toss some thoughts out here in case any Seniors can offer helpful thoughts in reply and for any fellow newbies who may find some benefit in them...

1. Axioms - I really appreciate the axioms in this sticky post and find them helpful. If you are a newbie and haven't read them - do.
2. Breath! - Sometimes I have been so tensed up for various reasons, I swear I forgot to breath...until my hand would shake and I'd get a lousy shave at best or whack myself at worst. Sheesh. So relax already...it's just a shave!
3. Better technique -OR- BBS - I'm not good enough (yet) to get a BBS every time out. If I gotta feel that glassy smooth finish all over, then I make myself use the DE. Some day I may have both but for now, I gotta make a choice. Spending an hour at the sink fiddling my face into a burned, nicked mess, only to still have stubble just leaves me discouraged and wishing I'd moved on...and I really haven't improved my skills any.
4. Angle to the hair is what counts - It may seem like over-thinking to others but for me, a breakthrough has been to think of the angle of the blade to my hairs not my skin. This fine tunes my movements around my face and shaves better.
5. Lighter is better - When things seem not to be cutting, sometimes it seems the lighter touch actually slices the hairs better, though it's natural to bear down more. I suspect it helps keep the angle better, it certainly keeps the comfort better.
6. Reduce with each pass - It's been mentioned other places, but this really helps me. The final result is better and lets me have realistic expectations for each pass.
7. Gotta be sharp! - Oft' repeated, but can't be overemphasized...it's gotta be SHARP! So, getting consistent with my stropping/honing skills are as important as any shave technique I'm trying.
8. Patience! - I gotta let it come to me. Hearing the Senior's talk about still learning is an encouragement to be patient. Believing they actually get a good and pleasant shave each day is helpful too!
9. Keeping it wet - While concentrating on all the other things of the shave, I sometimes would keep forging ahead over a dried spot. Enough burns and stubble have reminded me to re-wet, re-lather as needed just ahead of where I'm headed next.
10. Routine - I'm still working this one out, but I hope to get into a routine; that is a repeated sequence of steps across my face and through the passes. Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd me more efficient and enjoy it more. I enjoy the slowed-down time shaving, but do have other things to move on to.
11. Barber books - I have found real help in digesting the shaving/honing/stropping content of a 1961 barber text book I got. You have to translate the shaving skills from shaving someone else to shaving yourself, but it's been helpful for me.
12. THANKS! for the help and fun along the way from all who share in this SRP.

- Dale

[xman]

These are some good points, Dale. Especially #4 which is not a way that we usually express it, but undoubtedly exactly what we mean when we suggest playing with the angle. Great observations.

X

[xChris]

Great post, and thank you for sharing it! Items #5, 8, & 9 hit home with me (heck, #7 too!).

[thebigspendur]

With the shaving insight you have you are well on the way to mastery of straight shaving.

[steve]

Excellent observations!!

[jimmyman]

Still keeping almost all of these in the forefront of the mind on every shave. Most of the others...working on 'em.