First Shave Complete!! And it was good..........

Omigosh omigosh omigosh! My first straight shave! Absolutely friggin amazing!! I am just in bliss right now. My wife said if I don't quit touching my face that I am going to get impetigo. http://www.shootersloft.com/forums/p...t/newlaugh.gif

2 pass shave (in truth, probably more than that). Not one nick or cut!! Laid out out all my stuff, filled the scuttle with scalding hot water, and started soaking my WhippedDog silvertip brush. Soaked a wash cloth in hot water and washed my face several times to help soften my beard. (Which I had been growing for over a week anticipating this shave. Not the best idea in hindsight). Emptied the scuttle and refilled the inner bowl with hot water, gently squeezed out the brush, and started whipping up some TOBS sandalwood cream. Nailed that. Nice thick lather, and it didn't seperate, even through 2+ applications. Covered my face in it. (That even felt great). Pulled out the Schlager, and went to work. I did fine over the cheeks, even over the chin and jawline. The edges of my mouth gave me a little problem, but my neck was where I started getting nervous. It went fine though. Had to really take extra time going around the small mole on my cheek. The "against the grain" pass(es) up my neck and upper lip was a little awkward at first, so I had to stop and try different approaches before I got that figured out. Finally brought it to a close, and started cleaning up my stuff. Mistake. Should have gone for the Nivea aftershave balm first. (My face started to light up about that time). But once I did put it on, it completed the shave. Amazing.

I never thought shaving could be fun, let alone this much fun. I am hooked. http://www.shootersloft.com/forums/p...lt/shaving.gif

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Originally Posted by Thumper6119

Omigosh... I am hooked.

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And you're not alone! Nice.

Hope that beard grows back one day and you get to do it again. :D

Cool! I know that feeling. I've been doing it for over a year now and every morning is still exhilarating. :tu

Welcome to the club, sir! :chapeau:

And even when you flail around and forget all your great moves and the shave seems only so/so, IT'S STILL 5x better than a plastishave.

I don't agree that a week long stubble is any sort of mistake. I prefer to shave a significant stubble over a shadow.

That's great! Yes, after a shave, I like to care for my face before caring for the blade.

Congrats! Just make sure you are just as careful the second time around. My first shave went smoothly and then I was a little over confident on the second.

Ambos Schlager 11/16 Straight Razor

Whipped Dog Silvertip Badger Brush

TOBS Sandalwood Shave Cream

Georgetown Pottery G12 Scuttle

(I managed to leave out the Nivea AS Balm, but it was part of the shave)

Attachment 153572

(I've taken better pics with my cellphone. I make no excuses. I was in a hurry and didn't take the time for a good shot).

It is truly awesome, isn't it. There are so many interesting new things up ahead.

When I finish up, I splash on some Thayer's Super Witch Hazel, which can be found at Walmart, etc., pretty cheap. I have the Nivea and it wasn't helpful for me when starting either. Both products and alum block will tell you face where you need to pay more attention to angle and pressure by the amount of "sting" or irritation in those areas.

Once you pass the pucker factor, it's quite a boost for the confidence.

NOTE!! Not to down on ya, but be prepared! IME, A set back WILL come. It's not if, but when. That's when you have to set back a minute, maybe even put the blade down. The key thing is not to push through the discomfort, but to stop and analyze where things may have gone wrong.

Keep it up, brutha. Your journey awaits you!

Welcome to the Dark Side...we have a fine selection of RAD, BAD, HAD, SAD............(10 minutes later)......what would you like to start with first?

Go slow or you'll pay the price of overconfidence with blood.

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Originally Posted by jbtusa

Go slow or you'll pay the price of overconfidence with blood.

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I wasn't overconfident today, but I got a bit of a lesson. I was using a new-to-me razor (sight-unseen from WhippedDog) that has a different blade profile than my other one. Got off on the angle and wasn't watching where the corner of the blade was. I didn't feel it on my cheek, but I felt it through the razor, and I saw it. Dug the corner right into my cheek. Never felt any part of it until I put the stiptic pencil to it. Then I knew it was there!

But I go very slow through the whole process. I try to be very careful. I just need to be more attentive to the differences of the blades when alternating between razors. Good lesson.

Congratulations! It just gets better and better! I think you took a fine picture of your shaving items. Eventually your shave items may not fit into one picture though! lol

Maq

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Originally Posted by Maq

Congratulations! It just gets better and better! I think you took a fine picture of your shaving items. Eventually your shave items may not fit into one picture though! lol

Maq

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Thanks! The only thing not in that picture is my Tabac, my other razor, and my other brush. (Well, and the strop). But I look forward to the day that I will need to break out the wide angle lens to get everything in one shot (or when it all won't fit even with the wide angle).

Sounds like you're doing a great job, keep it up!

That's an awesome setup you got. How did you like the sight unseen razor? Larry @ whippeddog.com has the most affordable setup that still brings a great experience. I would recommend him time and time again.

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Originally Posted by Thumper6119

I wasn't overconfident today, but I got a bit of a lesson. I was using a new-to-me razor (sight-unseen from WhippedDog) that has a different blade profile than my other one

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First congrats on the nice first shaves. As has been said careful as you go. Your comment above is why I always recommend to new Str8 shavers that they "Don't" change razors while in the early stages of learning. Your learning curve will be shorter if you stick with the same blade. There's plenty of time for variety later and by then you'll adapt quickly.

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Originally Posted by Steel

That's an awesome setup you got. How did you like the sight unseen razor? Larry @ whippeddog.com has the most affordable setup that still brings a great experience. I would recommend him time and time again.

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It's not pretty, but it works great! Great and affordable setup for a new straight shaver starting out. Larry offers a great service.

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Originally Posted by Brenngun

First congrats on the nice first shaves. As has been said careful as you go. Your comment above is why I always recommend to new Str8 shavers that they "Don't" change razors while in the early stages of learning. Your learning curve will be shorter if you stick with the same blade. There's plenty of time for variety later and by then you'll adapt quickly.

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Roger that. Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by broger

Welcome to the Dark Side...we have a fine selection of RAD, BAD, HAD, SAD............(10 minutes later)......what would you like to start with first?

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Amen to that!

I was happy to read your post, full of enthusiasm for the thing that we can all relate to and enjoy doing every day or other day :) I completely understand how you feel and I hope you enjoy every shave just as much as this one, keep it up it sounds like you are a natural!

Daniel

What model is that scuttle? The g20? And do you know the name of the colour pattern?

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Originally Posted by sharpedge1188

What model is that scuttle? The g20? And do you know the name of the colour pattern?

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It is a G12 in Hamada with Blue.