Thread: Help! First you shave, and...

For me the best angle is 1-2 spine widths off my face, any more and it's uncomfortable. The hanging hair test doesn't work for all hair types.

Last shave (think it's the 4th with a straight now?) went very well and above my expectations.
Because i did shave against the grain on my cheeks (WTG, ATG) and i shaved my chin (WTG, XTG) and the neck (WTG). The result was DFS on the cheeks and acceptable elsewhere. Just a slight sting of the alum block, only on the left lower part of my chin. Maybe there was a tiny, non bleeding cut there.

What has changed was, since we shave facets of the face in passes, i decided to lather only one cheek, the chin or the neck. This way the lather has less chance to get dry and there's more skin for more grip. Though i did notice that without a alum block grip would be much, much harder to find. Any straight shavers that shave without using alum for grip?

I do find it very hard to use my non dominant hand (left). Is it possible to shave everything with your dominant hand? I found i could do it on most parts but sometimes it would result in awkward razor grip and angles and thought it was probably best to learn to use my left hand as soon as possible. Andy feedback and help is greatly appreciated.

Just keep taking it slow and if you change something only change one thing so you know if it made a difference. Lathering only the part you are doing shows how important a good lather is in contributing to a close comfortable shave. If the lather is too dry the blade will feel and act like it is dull.

I do not use an alum block for grip but many do. Many shave one handed, dominate hand, but I use both. You have to find what works for you.

Bob

Today's shave went a little better then before, i did not expect progress like this. Shaved the whole face, but only one pass on the neck and no ATG on the chin or cheeks. I know that flattening and stretching the face and a good lather is very important, but today i also discovered how important it is to know the contours of your face, which i thought i had learned because of my 2 years of experience with a DE. I now know i learned it, but not as thoroughly as required for a straight and that a DE glides more evenly and is less easily stopped by bumped and unevenness. I also learned that my chin has a lot of contour, subtleties not even the mirror reveals from close up or 2 years of DE. Even so the chin is still the hardest part, but it's getting better. Especially the soul patch is a hard part for me. The alum block was surprisingly gentle, tingling all over, no burn and no sting. I am content.

In my case, the chin was the last part I mastered to achieve a BBS. I have been doing this now for almost 3 years and I still think the neck line is still the most challenging part of shaving with a SR. Learning the direction of hair gowth in your neck is critical to avoid irritation.

Yesterday's shave was nothing special, so nothing to report. Today's shave was a bit better and even the neck was easier. No DFS on the chin and though the neck requires most attention in technique the chin seems to be the hardest place to remove hair. It's getting easier but also i'm starting to doubt if this is how i want to shave everyday, even if it get's easy. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I don't mind the stropping and being very careful for now, it's still a novelty, but i might later. And even if it get's easy and fast, it still requires full attention. Now i don't mind a nick, but i prefer not to get scars. I also just got the rare opportunity to buy and test a IB's RR Stainless Steel Stealth Slant, so straights might be pushed back a little. That does not mean i will quit shaving with a straight because i will. And no matter what i will keep a straight, if only out of fear of DE blade factories closing (if, then most likely because third world countries are embracing cartridge razors). It only means it's not unlikely straight shaving might become more of a weekend shave, so i don't have to have full attention everyday and minimal aftercare. With my Tech for instance, i can cruise through my beard (including the chin and neck), can shower shave and probably blind as well, and get DFS all over. So i will keep my 2 straights no matter what, and somewhere down the road i'll buy a 12k grit stone and maybe a 8k too, but for now i just keeps shaving, and waiting for the slant to arrive in The Netherlands. Then i will focus on the slant but shave with the straight in the weekends, maybe for a while, maybe for ever. All in all i'm still glad i took up straight shaving.

Lots of us shave with a DE or a straight depending on time, mood etc. If you are into the feel of a straight shave, try a Gem SE razor sometime. The stiffness of the blade and angle remind me more of a straight shave than a DE.

Originally Posted by ElaMenthol

....Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I don't mind the stropping and being very careful for now, it's still a novelty, but i might later. And even if it get's easy and fast, it still requires full attention....

I think for some people the "full attention" to shaving is what helps make it pleasant. In all the hustle of today's world, having a few moments of Zen time is actually refreshing. Buddhists often talk about living in the moment, and while I don't necessarily go with all their teachings, I find that to be an immense stress relief. I definitely enjoy the ritual of wet shaving, and then DE or Straight, it's fun. Moving a cartridge or electric over your face is a chore, this is an experience. Full marks though for working through it, and if it's not something that gets an every day treatment, I still think having the skill for weekends or whenever makes it enjoyable.

Plus, the blades are much cooler to talk about than a 3-blade cartridge. ("Oh yeah? Mine has 5!")

Originally Posted by Shaotzu

I think for some people the "full attention" to shaving is what helps make it pleasant. In all the hustle of today's world, having a few moments of Zen time is actually refreshing. Buddhists often talk about living in the moment, and while I don't necessarily go with all their teachings, I find that to be an immense stress relief. I definitely enjoy the ritual of wet shaving, and then DE or Straight, it's fun. Moving a cartridge or electric over your face is a chore, this is an experience. Full marks though for working through it, and if it's not something that gets an every day treatment, I still think having the skill for weekends or whenever makes it enjoyable.

Plus, the blades are much cooler to talk about than a 3-blade cartridge. ("Oh yeah? Mine has 5!")

Word...Well said...