Thread: First straight razor shave

Well, I finally took the plunge today and decided to try my hand at this. I was a bit doubtful that the "shave ready" shaver I had truly was shave ready, but the Marine in me said to do it anyway. That being said, I should have maybe not listened to that part and played it safe. To compound this decision, I of course decided on a full face shave for my first attempt instead of listening to the advice of so many others here more knowledgeable than I. What can I say, Marines aren't exactly known for our great intellect, but we are known for being decisive and sticking with it...

When I first touched that razor to my face, I was certain it was not quite ready, and listening to it catching the hairs as it cut them only made it feel that much worse. In true idiot style, I stuck with it and made it all the way through, shaving my entire face and neck using only my right hand (due to the nerve damage discussed in previous posts to my left). While I did end up with a few minor nicks, even though my technique is definitely not what it should be, and the razor was definitely not shave ready, I finished up with what I felt was a pretty good first attempt, and feels about as close as I generally get from my Fusion razors. I can only imagine how good it will feel when I finally get my technique down and have this razor properly honed.

In retrospect, I do believe that from this point on, I'll pay a little more attention to the suggestions of those who have been at this a while... I'll continue to shave my whole face (no reason to take a step back) but I will make certain my razors are fully ready to go from here on out.

My first go was all out as well. You are looking at it the right way,it does indeed get better from here on out.

I am looking forward to doing my first straight razor shave on Saturday. I hope mine goes half as good as yours.
Roger

Congratz on your first shave. It take time but it will all come around. My 1'st shave I was jutting out my chin to stretch the skin on my neck, I looked in the mirror, and saw my chin quivering. IT LOOKED LIKE I WAS GOING TO CRY !!!!

Originally Posted by nickthenewguy

Well, I finally took the plunge today ... I was certain it was not quite [shave] ready, and listening to it catching the hairs as it cut them only made it feel that much worse... I stuck with it ... shaving my entire face and neck using only my right hand (due to the nerve damage discussed in previous posts to my left).

Nice start. Marines... go figure. If you don't have dedication you have nothing!

Not sure about your shave-ready conclusion. However you meant it, I'd say you never want to mess with a razor whose readiness you're not sure about. Less than shave ready can be a ride on the Face Ripper Express. As bad as a poorly prepped razor feels while shaving, it's worse an hour or a day later. Don't ask how I know.

The nerve damage thing. I had a cervical injury way back when and some forearm- and intrinsic muscles of the hand never returned. I don't have great fine motor control or sensation in my right hand and sometimes there is a slight tremble. I practiced on both hands with a butterknife and, strange to say, my deficient hand has done fine with a razor after the first few weeks. When I have that sensation things are wobbly I shave one-handed but once a razor is in my right hand it usually stays perfectly steady. You know your limits but if you think you have room to work on it, work on it. You might be as surprised as I was.

Old Army/Navy guy here. Greets!

The importance of a truly "shave ready" razor during the formative period can't be overstated. New shavers need a benchmark. Even more so when you start honing your own.

However, as you are a marine who is probably completely accustomed to not having all the proper equipment, we understand your need to tuck chin and power through .

Originally Posted by nickthenewguy

...What can I say, Marines aren't exactly known for our great intellect, but we are known for being decisive and sticking with it...

I beg to differ with the first part of that statement and affirm the second.

That being said, I did a 3-pass with a non shave ready for my first few attempts, before sending the razor out to Lynn of SRD/SRP to get pro honed. Lynn confirmed my suspicions with a comment like "you can't have been having comfortable shaves with the razor in that shape". So much for my "shave ready---just honed it for you..." Pffftt.

That stick to-it-ness is going to see you through basic and beyond. You WILL ENJOY EVER IMPROVING SHAVES, MARINE!

The folks around here stand together like brothers. Great people, great site.

Originally Posted by entropy1049

However, as you are a marine who is probably completely accustomed to not having all the proper equipment, we understand your need to tuck chin and power through .

If I recall, Marines get the best razors the Navy throws away.