Thread: It's all coming together!

Hey everybody,

I've been shaving with a straight for a couple months now and I'm excited to say that I'm starting to have some really nice shaves! Everything seems to be coming together for me about this time. My stropping is starting to be pretty smooth, I'm lathering up a lot better, my shave strokes are getting more confident, my skin stretching lets me get at my face and neck better, and my angles are improving. For all the beginners out there, just hang in there and keep at it. It'll get easier for you if you just give it some time.

A few things I've noticed in my short journey down straight razor shaving that may be helpful to keep in mind. Nothing groundbreaking here, it's all been said before. Don't worry about speed. Stress quality in everything you're doing over speed. Spend some time practicing your stropping stroke without worrying about speed.

The same goes for making lather and actually shaving. Take your time with the soap or cream to make a nice cushioning lather. Experiment a lot with different amounts of water and find out what works best for the particular soap/cream you're using. One thing that I think has helped me is trying a wide variety of soaps and creams. By experimenting you'll be able to find out how each one works, find their strengths and what you like, and get more practice lathering.

When you're shaving, don't worry about getting a quick shave. If you can, don't shave if you're in a hurry. If you need to shave before work try getting up a little earlier so you can have time to pay attention to your angles and shaving strokes. Otherwise try shaving after work when you've got some time free so you can focus on your shave quality. Play around with angles until you're getting a nice, consistent pass. I found that starting out my angle was a little shallow. Widening it out a bit has improved my shave quite a bit. Also try different ways of stretching the skin to figure out what fits your face best. I'm still practicing here trying to improve my shave around my jawline and my neck. Again, don't worry about the speed. If you have to relather parts of your face partway through your shave that's totally fine.

This may or may not help you but try using hot water as well as cold water for your shave. I was kind of forced into that. I'm living on campus and had plenty of hot water before. Now the dorm I'm in doesn't get super hot water from the sinks but I'm still getting some nice shaves with the colder water. It's a good experience to at least try it out.

That's about all I've got. Like I said, I'm still working on getting a cleaner shave around my jawline and neck and on my chin, which I've found to be the most difficult trying to maintain an angle around that curve. I'm starting to experiment with across the grain passes and against the grain passes but usually a single pass with the grain is sufficient for a nice smooth feel. It's been a great experience so far and I look forward to learning a lot more!

Keep on going like you are. Before long you will really have it down better than a lot of other people & you can continue to write about your shaving experience. That's what I like to see is a person who is determined to get the best he can, when & where he can! I've been determined several times in my life & my determination got me what I wanted.
By not giving up you will have that satisfaction that makes you feel so good inside. It's hard to describe the feeling sometimes but you'll get there eventually. Keep it up the good work & determination!

Thanks for sharing - feels awesome when you turn a corner doesn't it!

Originally Posted by earcutter

Thanks for sharing - feels awesome when you turn a corner doesn't it!

Yep it does!

I'm finding that I have fewer and fewer stingy spots now when applying the alum-block after my shave. I am still finding it tough to get the whiskers on my neck and just under my jaw though. I'm getting much better taking on the chin though , so it's coming along. 8)

I tend to take 20-30 minutes or so shaving. Now the wife has to tell me to get out of her way ... go figure.

Originally Posted by PHANTZM

I'm finding that I have fewer and fewer stingy spots now when applying the alum-block after my shave. I am still finding it tough to get the whiskers on my neck and just under my jaw though. I'm getting much better taking on the chin though , so it's coming along. 8)

I tend to take 20-30 minutes or so shaving. Now the wife has to tell me to get out of her way ... go figure.

It's tough for me to get 'em on my neck because I have a goatee but I do well most of the time. I just have to take my time.

Originally Posted by PHANTZM

I'm finding that I have fewer and fewer stingy spots now when applying the alum-block after my shave. I am still finding it tough to get the whiskers on my neck and just under my jaw though. I'm getting much better taking on the chin though , so it's coming along. 8)

I tend to take 20-30 minutes or so shaving. Now the wife has to tell me to get out of her way ... go figure.

Originally Posted by engine46

It's tough for me to get 'em on my neck because I have a goatee but I do well most of the time. I just have to take my time.

You guys are going to freak when one day you pick up your blade with complete indifference, music blaring, wife squeaking, kids crying, and you bang out a DFS in ten minutes from start to end lol.

It's freaking awesome - but I miss the awe I had in the beginning. It's a great journey!

.

If I may - focus on using the whole blade. I don't know, it helped me. That and pivot cutting helped a lot. Pivot shaving to me is where you don't actually move your arm but rather go circular just pivoting with your wrist... I don't know how to word it. Actually, I think it's called scything??

Oh and I generally never use any pressure - the blade just floats over my skin, the whiskers get out of the way .

Thanks for posting this. I am about 10 shaves in and getting frustrated that I still cannot get around by chin, mustache, and neck. It's like I hit a brick when I get there, the tugging, etc.

I searched today and found several old threads about changing how I hold the blade (straight rather than 90*), pre shave lather, etc. I used a brushless cream, then my known to be slick Mystic Water lather, changed my grip...what a disappointment. My first 8 shaves, not a nick, the last 2, I got 2 or 3 each.

It's nice to know there is still hope, but...

Originally Posted by Bowhnter

Thanks for posting this. I am about 10 shaves in and getting frustrated that I still cannot get around by chin, mustache, and neck. It's like I hit a brick when I get there, the tugging, etc.

I searched today and found several old threads about changing how I hold the blade (straight rather than 90*), pre shave lather, etc. I used a brushless cream, then my known to be slick Mystic Water lather, changed my grip...what a disappointment. My first 8 shaves, not a nick, the last 2, I got 2 or 3 each.

It's nice to know there is still hope, but...

Stick with it brother - its not going to happen overnight, but it will happen. Honestly, you'll be really happy you did!

Think of it this way, you'll be in the .01%!! If feels good to be in the .01% ... Even if you would rather be in that other group of 1%rs .

PS - welcome to the forum!