Newbie With Beard

Hi All. I am a newbie with a straight razor. Have a Dovo Bismarck 6/8" that I got from SRD hopefully honed by Lynn. I have a Van Dyke beard so shaving with an SR has its challenges. The mustache is a pencil-thin type and the beard close cropped on the chin. I shave below the lower lip and have to cleanup under the nose above the 'stach. I also only shave twice a week because I like the look of one-two days growth. Right now I only shave WTG and I'm getting more comfortable using my left hand but it is still shaky. Only nicked myself once and almost cut into my upper cheek but felt the blade grab and backed off quickly. Right now I finish everything off with a Harry's Truman, which I was using before I got the SR. I will say that with the combination I am getting the closest shaves I've ever felt in my very long life (official senior citizen). I have a pure badger brush and also picked up what is supposed to be a chip dip cooler that works perfect as a skuttle. Love the warm lather shave.

What I love is that shaving has become a ritual for me and it is very meditative. We are in the midst of a drought, so I don't run the sink water. I heat my water up in a pan on the stove, pour it into a pan that hold a towel and some into the skuttle. I whip up my lather and then use the towel on my face before I get started. I strop prior to preparing the water -- getting better at that all the time. I am careful, slow and deliberate when I shave and will probably continue to be since it is part of my ritual/meditation. I have to say I like shaving like this. It does take a good half-hour or more, so I plan accordingly.

My only regret is that I didn't start doing this sooner in my life.

Welcome to the party! It sounds like you're well on your way, especially if it's already enjoyable. I still consider myself a noob even after 7-8 months shaving almost daily, but it took me many shaves until it reached the enjoyable level. And really that's what it's all about at the end of the day.

Rusty,

Congrats on the new Bismarck!!! That is the SR that I am looking into purchasing as my first. That or the Dove Gentlemen. I too am a newbie to the scene. I currently use a Parker Shavette. I share in your enthusiasm with the ritual wet shaving provides. It does take me a long time though. I have not yet tried using my left hand. I use my right for both sides of my face. I find most of my trouble is around the chin. I hope you continue to enjoy your new SR!

-Videdster

Rusty,

I, too, have a beard (though mine is full), and I shaved with a straight for the first time a couple days ago. It's really an amazing experience isn't it?!?

Have you ever used a 7/16 or 1/4 " razor for designer beards and mustaches?They are made for your type of shaving:gl:

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Originally Posted by semperfi6141

Have you ever used a 7/16 or 1/4 " razor for designer beards and mustaches?They are made for your type of shaving:gl:

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I'm just getting started with SR shaving and hadn't even thought of such a razor. I'll look around. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by semperfi6141

Have you ever used a 7/16 or 1/4 " razor for designer beards and mustaches?They are made for your type of shaving:gl:

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The smaller blades really are much easier to maneuver in the tight spots. Also good for hollows on the neck etc

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Originally Posted by eddy79

The smaller blades really are much easier to maneuver in the tight spots. Also good for hollows on the neck etc

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google "typ coiffeur" they generally are small blades 3/8, 7/16 or so. coiffeur is a male hairdresser or barber, typ coiffeurs are great for styling and modeling beard styles and hairlines. c-mon made a nice one if you can find one for sale. if you cant find anything send me a pm, I have a bunch of 3/8ish razors that would work well.

I am a fan of the "smaller" blades... only use 4/8 or under now. That said, I think you got a great razor to begin with. I think you'll really like it.

The smaller blades may indeed be great for a multitude of reasons, but they take a little more dexterity initially.

Like any sport, you try different equipment as you progress. Congrats on getting started and welcome!

OTOH, i've learned that I can "pick off" one whisker at a time when trimming up beard lines with anything from 8/8 to 4/8. I love the little 4/8 for the sharpness and smile, but really prefer a 7/8 or 15/16 out on the "open cheek" even for the upper lip.

Welcome and enjoy, lather well!

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oh and, that goatee in the avatar i didn't shave until after i had a pretty good handle on the SR. This kept my chin safe for some longer time. I do keep longish sideburns and a lower lip patch when "full shaving". When i do a "full" beard i keep my upper lip and lower neck clear. Get the best shaves with at least 48 hours stubble.

found three on e.bay ,one is a filmarmonic from spain,great for chins and lip area.

I've been looking at some narrower blades on Ebay. I'll probably pick one up once I find one I feel comfortable is a good blade sight unseen. Did my dozenth shave today. I only shave on Mondays and Thursdays. Went ATG and XTG on the cheeks with great results. The neck is still a problem area for ATG and XTG as I find it difficult to hold the SR well enough as yet. But i will get it eventually. Meantime, I still clean up with the Harry's. Didn't need any cleanup on the cheeks, both BBS. The neck needed a few more swipes with the Harry's and cleaned up nicely. I am getting the closest shaves I've ever experienced in my VERY long life. Had one small nick above chin and below lower lip. Hardly bled but there was a nick nonetheless. I still really enjoy the ritual of shaving vs. just swiping a blade across my face. I lather several times during a session and love the feel of warm lather.

man you are doing good!!Keep up the good work:gl:

I definitely find reductive passes contribute a lot to comfort and closeness. Have you ever tried light wtg passes before doing atg and xtg? I find that wtg, then xtg, then atg gives the best reductive pattern and tends to leave less irritation, even with 3 passes vs doing atg, xtg alone. Last night I decided to skip my reductive wtg pass and just did atg two passes on the neck and man, did I regret that!

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Originally Posted by silverloaf

I definitely find reductive passes contribute a lot to comfort and closeness. Have you ever tried light wtg passes before doing atg and xtg? I find that wtg, then xtg, then atg gives the best reductive pattern and tends to leave less irritation, even with 3 passes vs doing atg, xtg alone. Last night I decided to skip my reductive wtg pass and just did atg two passes on the neck and man, did I regret that!

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Yeah, I tend to do very short passes no matter. I just go slow, steady, and careful. Before I picked up the SR it scared me to death. But after watching Lynn's video on SR shaving I gave it a shot. Now I've seen another video recently posted on SRP and it helped me a lot. But I treat the SR shaving experience like a meditation. It takes me a good 45 minutes for the entire practice but I like taking my time with it.

I think I might need a valium before shaving need to relax first :rofl2:man,that shaving cream sure feels better it really stick on and will not dry.

My wife is especially loving the BBS skin after I shave. She can't keep her hands off my cheeks. ;)

Hmmmm,man,there is still hope for you,thats all under the bridge in my world :boohoo:more like keep her hands out of my pockets--$$$$.

Another shave tonight (I don't shave in the mornings, usually in the afternoon or evening). Got a couple of nicks -- nothing serious -- and some razor burn. My wife got me some face cream with aloe and that soothed everything nicely. All of face and cheeks done with SR and BBS. Neck I did WTG and ATG but not XTG -- can't seem to figure out how to hold the razor for XTG but I know I'll get it eventually. So finished up the neck with a safety razor.