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.

+1 slurryer. I started straight shaving about 4 months ago and did the same thing knowing that it would take much longer, especially since I have a hard time getting out of bed when my alarm goes off anyway. I am still this way since I started doing a full head shave along with my face. And I think that the last time I timed myself it took a little over an hour for both a shower and shave. So I am probably going to stay on the same path until either I get better and faster shaving or give myself enough time to wake up before placing a sharp blade near my face or head.

I like shaving in the afternoon/evening. Straight shaves last longer than disposables, and I can spend the time I want to spend vs just doing a quick shave and go in the morning. I also like feeling the stubble coming out throughout the day, and looking forward to cutting. I sit in meetings rubbing my face, just picturing my next attack.

I work shifts, so on a day where I have a particularly early start, I shave the evening before too.

I only shave at night unless there is a function that day. I prefer to relax after a long day and it give me time to unwind. A hot towel, a good slow shave and then a hot shower. I know showering first is recommended, but I shave my head too and there is stubble I prefer not to take to bed with me. I put on some classical music and take about 45 minute to an hour to complete my ritual.

Good tip and well taken here.

Same Here, I only shave in the evening so I can take my time. I shaved one time in the morning on a weekend, and although I got the job done without a nick, it still was not comfortable. I'm not a morning person what so ever, ... and I still only shaving WTG.

Also, a newbie is more likely to cut himself, and depending on how bad it is, I would prefer not having to go right into work with the fresh wound. Having the night for it to settle, or for me to deal with it, is good.

When I started I did the straight at night and then in the morning shaved with a regular razor for clean up. That way I wasn't rushed and had a clean look for work. The shave gets faster and better with time.

I am 2 months into non-safety shaving (shavette), only 2 weeks into a straight razor...and I will probably almost always shave at night. Though honestly at this point my shaves only take about 2x longer than with a cartridge (call shaving itself about 20 mins...I have facial hair) I still appreciate having non-rushed time. I feel at night I can concentrate more and give myself a better shave since mentally the clock isn't ticking in the background.

I also feel great crawling into bed clean and shaven versus somewhat disheveled like I did before full wet shaving.

I finished my ninth SR shave this evening (BBS except my neck!). I did evening shaves the first three, but have been doing late morning SR shaves on weekends. I use vintage DEs on most weekday morninngs.

My beard is dark and grows fast, so I'll be scruffy around lunch tomorrow, with no work reasons to to be smooth. Hey, that's a good excuse to shave tomorrow evening, too!