Thread: Beginner Beware of Frustration Fatigue - First Straight Razor Shave

Originally Posted by Slurryer

Wow... That's some wise advise. What's funny is that I never considered sub-BBS an option. I read the term BBS in just about every other post and sort of assumed it was the standard to shoot for. Obtainable by some but possibly not by all. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks!

Yea, that is wise advice. Get your technique down well and then play around trying figure out how to get a BBS, IF you want. OTH I would not do a 4 pass daily shave if it was not comfortable. Absolutely no sense in torturing oneself.

Bob

Welcome to SRP Slurryer: Congratulations on your first successful shave. Just as other members have given you great advice. Don't over-do-it in the beginning. Learn to stretch your skin and just go WTG. Finishing up with your DE razor isn't a sin. Every member at SRP was also a newbie. It will take many shaves under your belt before you feel comfortable shaving with a S.R.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Maybe if we just shorten it to CCS! The comfortable part is the most important part of my shave, after all if I was really happy with irritation I'd have never left goo and multi blades behind.

Rez, I can live with CCS, but I think that CCC "Clean, Close, Comfortable" would be more what I think of when I'm not only shaving with a straight, but I'm telling others of this age old art.

Originally Posted by Slurryer

Wow... That's some wise advise. What's funny is that I never considered sub-BBS an option. I read the term BBS in just about every other post and sort of assumed it was the standard to shoot for. Obtainable by some but possibly not by all. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks!

I don't know about being wise, but thank you for the compliment.

In my humble opinion, all the term 'BBS' has done is caused guys frustration and irritation trying achieve the 'elusive' shaving Nirvana.

Originally Posted by MJC

In my little note log (Engineer by training, we take notes) I use the term (not my own) DFS or Damn Fine Shave...there is even a DFS+

We all forget how much better, on the close and comfort scale, an "Average" Straight razor shave is compared to a Cart for instance.

And we don't say/wish each other "Smooth Shaving" for nothing...

We also say give yourself 100 shaves - the reality for many is that there are big improvements or levels every 15-25 shaves.
It's a fine motor skill and there is no substitute for practice.

And you are well on the way...

So Smooth Shaving...

I like the way you think!

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

Chased BBS when I started, gave up trying after 6 months, and the shaves improved 10 fold from there on in. Just do the best you are comfortable with, and don't push it too far. Better results will follow.

Originally Posted by MJC

...We also say give yourself 100 shaves - the reality for many is that there are big improvements or levels every 15-25 shaves.
It's a fine motor skill and there is no substitute for practice.

And you are well on the way...

So Smooth Shaving...

I've thought about that also. What I thought I learned in my first shave I tried to apply to my second, with some success. In the end the second shave was a bit better than the first. I imagine that pattern of improvement will continue for several months. Thanks for that.

Suggestion--If you still have it shave with whatever cartridge razor or electric you used before....then examine and feel your face as much as you do when using a straight. Which is better? My guess is that it will generally be the SR shave.

Some really good advice from all the members here.
Especially like the thought about assess your shave one day at a time and learn what feels best for you.

Something I have tried recently that seems to help is after my second pass, I lightly squeeze the brush into the water it soaked in pre-shave
Apply this soapy water with my fingers to any trouble areas and remove what stubble is there.
My face normally feels quite smooth after this and I don't stress about pushing for a BBS shave.
Hope this is of help to you and all the best in your journey.

Originally Posted by AlienEdge

If your razor is very sharp you can do a once over every day with out hurting your self. You will be able to feel where you fail to shave it real close, but no one will be able to see it. Next day play with the old razor again. If you do mess around and razor burn something pressing to hard trying to capture that one chin hair you missed. Get your wife to pick up something called "Ocean Potion" it has aloe in the lotion. It is a burn relief for wind burns and sun burns. But it will help I think.

Men are allowed to go to the shops too these days any vitamin e based cream will help too, the vitamin e is meant to assist with skin healing.

You should just hang your head low cause you be whipped by the razor. Yep, a coward running off the battlefield in terror. Next time the razor be calling the shots on you.

Seriously though, you did the right thing. The proper way is to shave in stages starting with the easy maneuvers and then progressing.