Thread: Morning Shave vs Evening Shave

I have been shaving with a straight razor for less than a week, but I seem to be learning something new with every shave. I suppose when you know absolutely nothing, everything is new. But while I'm learning I thought I'd post to SRP when I discover something significant to me. This first post is about less of a discovery and more of a practical choice about when to shave.

I received my first razor in the mail on a Monday, and I was intensely excited about arriving at work Tuesday morning knowing that I started out my day with an SR shave. The common advice given to newbies is that they just do one section of your face for a while, and that is good advice. I knew however that I would attempt a full shave on the first day. Although my first shave went very well, I wouldn't suggest any newbie start this same way. There was more than one occasion that I was certain I had drawn blood, but fortunately did not. Stick to doing one section of your face at a time until your technique improves. Unlike a disposable razor, a straight razor requires a good bit of hand / eye coordination. Additionally, the way you move your razor will be reversed in a mirror, and until your hand / eye coordination becomes accustomed to operating from a mirrored view of reality, you will struggle a bit.

Anyhow, there was something nagging at me about starting my first shave. I was certain that my first straight razor shave would take much longer than my disposable razor shave normally took. If I started my first shave in the morning, and things started taking longer than I expected, there was a chance that I would get into a rush to finish up. The thought of being forced to rush about with the sharpest instrument I have ever owned in my hand, and sliding it around my face and neck was a bit distressing. I made the decision then that instead of shaving in the morning, I would instead shave before bed that evening. That way I would be able to take as long as I needed. That first evening shave went well, and surprisingly I didn't feel any stubble on my face until late in the afternoon the next day.

So here's the advice to the beginner from a beginner. While your learning about your pre-shave, soap, cream, razor, after shave and face, do your shaves in the evening before bed, and not in the morning when there may be a time crunch. Sure you could wake up extra early, but holding a razor to my neck while sleepy is just as distressing as holding a razor to my neck while rushing. Just something to consider while you're starting out. Switch to shaving in the morning only after you become more proficient and you can predictably move your razor while looking in a mirror.