Thread: Any tips?

Hello all. So I have been watching a lot of Anthony esposito's vids. In one of his recent vids he suggested that watching yourself shave can be helpful to learning. So I did one and did notice a couple of things. Just thought I might post it here and see if anyone had any feedback. I only intended for me to watch it so sorry it's' so boring. This is my 6th full face shave so as you may see I'm painfully slow. Anyways here is the link if any of you can help me out with a tip here or there I would sure appreciate it. Noob straight razor shave - YouTube

I think if that's your 6th shave you're off to an excellent start. Taking your time is the exact thing you should be doing, if you're going to learn this, this is the right point to invest the time.

My comment would be to have a look at the ATG grip, that's a tough one, and the grip is key to using it successfully.

Here's a great video by Lynn Abrams, founder and owner of SRD and this website..takes you right through your first straight razor shave. Towards the end of the video, you will clearly see the grip Lynn uses for a great ATG pass. I studied this video pretty intently when I first started out. Enjoy (if you haven't already seen it!)

Thanks. I have seen the video your talking about. This is exactly what I hoped to gain. Like I said I saw the video but now I know what to watch for to improve my shaves. Thanks again.

Great video, thanks for sharing. Like you I also have been watching loss of videos of people shaving. Could not help but think how these expert shavers made it look so easy. I think it would be helpful to see more inexperienced ones shaving, could be just as educational as watching the experts.

Watching your video, 2 things popped into my head (and this could just be my style). I wanted to add a little water to your soap/cream and I use a little bit wider angle than you're using.

I agree with the Major, more water.

Looks like you are doing great so far.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

Watching your video, 2 things popped into my head (and this could just be my style). I wanted to add a little water to your soap/cream and I use a little bit wider angle than you're using.

My thoughts also.

A little more hydration in the lather would also help when shaving slowly, as you should when learning, to keep the lather from drying out. It should also make the blade slide easier.

The spine of the razor is very close to your cheeks on the WTG pass. You might want to open the gap a smidge or two on that pass and save the spine being close for the ATG pass.

Pretty darn good start though.

Bob

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

Watching your video, 2 things popped into my head (and this could just be my style). I wanted to add a little water to your soap/cream and I use a little bit wider angle than you're using.

Noted per you and Bobh I will be trying to get a bit better lather. It's been hard for me to find the sweet spot with lather. Either I get it too dry or I make a big dripping wet mess haha. I will also pay attention to trying to open that angle a bit on the WTG stroke. Thanks again for all the feedback this is really the kind of input I was looking for.

P.s. The shave posted was with my SRD best quality dovo, VDH brush VDH soap for pre shave beard prep with hot towel, jack Black supreme cream for shaving. Just wanted to put out there what I was using.

Looks like you got a nice close shave. I agree with the previous comments with regards to the lather. After applying the lather, you can squeeze out some lather from your brush and apply it your face for some extra cushion.

And lately, I've changed my simple cold water splash, lather and shave routine...it's become obvious to me that some beard prep makes for a better shaving experience for me. So I've conceded a good cold water splash, followed by working some Proraso Green Tea and Oat pre / post shave cream onto my beard to properly hydrate.

Been doing this for two weeks now, and for me, it's making a more comfortable, closer shave, and it has to be a little easier on the edge.