Thread: I am not a chicken, am I?

As the learning curve with a straight is always longer than a safety razor, it makes a lot of sense that you would use and prefer the DE over the straight at first. For me this is how it was until I got consistent with the straight. I say consistent, because of stropping, honing, etc. DE blades are always going to be 100% sharp, your straight however, that depends on how much practice you've had. So no, you're not a chicken, you're just not consistent yet.

I started wet shaving in May, acquired my first straight in June and began making scales in July. Soon I had about 3 or 4 razors and a strop. It wasn't until I sent a couple of razors off to get honed that I first tried to actually use one. But by then the razor was much more comfortable in my hands, essential to gaining the confidence to put it to one's face IMO. When I actually did start to use one it was initially on the right side of my face ONLY. It took about 2 weeks until I felt I could actually leave the house with a respectable looking shave, one that didn't require finishing up with a DE.
I still struggle with keeping the edge sharp, and with the angles of my chin and neck, and my shave routine has more than doubled in length since I started this hobby/sport. However, its still a far more enjoyable process. I can now shave the back of my neck by just feel, no mirror required and I recently started working ATG in problem ares. Can't imagine doing that 3 months ago.

Thanks for all of that B, a lot of what you said made sence and it helps that I do have people I can bounce questions off of.

Originally Posted by beluga

Stretching - good point and often ignored by DE shavers.

Went from straights to Feather AC's and DOVO shavette - mainly for my travels.

Never cared much for the flimsy Shavette, but I do like the Feather AC and use it regularly.
While I do understand the Shavette's cost rationale for straight shaving novices, I do not consider the Shavette an overall convincing razor.




B

The good news is that I have been streching my skin as much as possible and that has made my three pass down to a one and a half pass just to catch the run aways. My wife still tells me it is the best shave she has ever felt.

I believe you will master this new skill set. When I was young and in college I was in more than one auto accident.
I never decided to stop driving. Take your time. The real question is "How much do you want to SR?"
Driving beats walking and I was determined. There is no shame in a DE. It scares me but I can cowboy up an admit that .
SR works for me. What all the others have said speaks volumes.
No you aint chicken.
Your a wetshaver and thats all that matters.

Ok so from this point forward all I have to say is all of you guys ROCK! Like I said before everyone that belong to this site are the most helpful and kind people I have met in a long long time. I just hope that some day I can help someone the way you have all helped me.

I have made it through a scrape or two and the first time I placed a straight to the cheek my hand was shaking. I think a bit of reservation is normal. Take it a step at a time. Don't think of the shave, start with a single stroke, call it a day and build your shave from there as your confidence increases. Its all good

Originally Posted by Phrank

You have fear, and you can overcome it, many have as you mention, before my first straight shave, I looked myself in the mirror and said:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

In a couple of months, you won't be able to imagine shaving any other way.....

+1 Nothing like some Bene Gesserit discipline to get one through the ordeal of the first shave.

Ah yes Dune what a movie!

Haha, yes, I can relate to this thread a bit, I've only had a couple of straight shaves now, only working on my cheek and jawline. As long as you don't try to force the razor to do anything, there's no real difference in feel to the DE, you just don't have the weight of the razor behind the straight as you do with the DE.

My major concern was shaving the left side of my face (I'm right handed). The first time taking my less-than-coordinated left hand to my face with a razor, was an interesting one but if it felt strange, I just stopped and took the razor away and started the next stroke. But it wasn't too bad, surprisingly. haha.

I also started showering and shaving at night before bed, that way I'm not trying to get out the door while learning and I can take my time. But I think these things have a bad reputation from urban legend or the way they look, but as long as you pay them the respect they're due, you shouldn't have too bad a time