Another First Shave Thread

[Aldwyn]

First full shave today, and not so bad, only after having done my cheeks twice.

Still find it a little difficult to work around my facial hair (I have a beard), and in fact sliced myself in one spot near my nose trying to do that... and because of the weird way my hair grows, I need to find a comfortable way to shave WTG. Couldnt figure it out, so I did two XTG passes at different angles.

Kind of a crappy shave, but better then my DE shaves, so I guess that is saying something.

Cant wait for my shorties to come in that I bought. I think they will make life easier.

[Flatire67]

It sounds better then my first, I put an inch long slice down my left cheek. Keep working at it, it gets easier and the shave gets better with patience and practice. I am still new (only about 2 weeks in) but things are shaping up quick.

[Obie]

Aldwyn,

Patience and the proper focus will guide you. So will the members here. By the way, welcome to Straight Razor Place. Take your time and respect the razor. Zero pressure, short strokes and full concentration will help in honing your skill.

[MajorEthanolic]

Took me a few months to really get the straight down. I also made the mistake of starting with a shavette. I can now shave with a straight rather quickly, but the shavette still scares me.

[Aldwyn]

Thanks, gents!

Yeah, read that some people say its good to start with a shavette, because then when you move to a straight, the job is easy!

But, I just went straight for the straight!

[Haroldg48]

Obie said something key above, which is "short strokes". Lots of folks think you shave with a big sweeping stroke that just whisks the whiskers away (pun not intended). Truth is a series of short strokes, sometimes almost "buffing" if that makes any sense, is the way to go. It also helps many the tougher spots or where you might have a mole, facial imperfection, ear lobe , or edge of beard in your case.

Thanks, gents!

Yeah, read that some people say its good to start with a shavette, because then when you move to a straight, the job is easy!

But, I just went straight for the straight!

[s0litarys0ldier]

Everybody nicks themselves at one point or another. It gets easier. Haven't had to use my Styptic pencil for about a week now.

[Aldwyn]

Word... I am a short stroke kind of guy. Learned it when DE shaving... carried it over to straight shaving.

[Aldwyn]

Update: Great shaves now, consistently. Not perfect, but great.

I still havnt been able to shave WTG and ATG across my neck, due to the east west growth and the awkwardness of trying to shave east west/west east, but I have learned to compensate a bit with a slight angle.

Long story short... getting good shaves now, and rarely nick myself. <knock on wood> Switching to shorty blades helped.