Thread: First Straight Shave, Blind as a Bat

Well tonight was the first time using a straight, my goal was to do each cheek with 2 WTG passes and then if no bleed out occurred I would finish off with my EJ 89.

-Showered Up (Face scrub with Yardley)
-Proraso Pre-Shave Oatmeal/Green Tea
-Razorock Famiglia Green Tobacco
-Boker 5/8" "King Cutter"

Everything went ok...no nicks, no cuts, no bruises in the first inning, finished off with the DE and topped off the cream with Alt-Innsbruck


The issue I had was I felt like I was blind and I could not see clearly where I was laying the blade down as the scales or my "bug eyes" was giving me hell in locating a good position to watch exactly what I was doing. I felt extremely lucky I did not hack myself as I felt I was going in blind.

Any tips? is this normal (I do have a one very dominate eye) it can't be all that.

I try not to watch...

I just had my first shave tonight as well. The only place I really felt blind was on my neck under my ears.

Watch some vids :<0) It's all going to come to you in time.

it can be tricky seeing when you're going at your sideburns, but here are a couple of points:
1) don't think that getting closer to the mirror will give you a better view, it's quite the opposite when trying to see around your hand/scales
2) try tilting your head

Seeing is a little overrated, beyond checking for missed hairs and not gouging your ear with the spike point, you can go mostly by feel

Remove blade from face, step back from mirror, turn/tilt your head, then put the blade to your face.

Another option is to push the spine of the blade against your face to feel for position. Eventually you get to the point where it is more by feel, but try not go cross eyed in the mean time.

There are times when you just have to feel it. A wise man once told me, if it feels right, keep doing it. Just keep practicing while tilting your head at different angles, you'll become proficient eventually and find what works for you. This is coming from a fellow noob, congrats on the first shave though.

Is sort of like riding a bike,give it more time,about 6 mos. and you will be a pro.
I really do not watch what I am doing with the blade,I can feel what I am doing,is all about repitition.

I use one of those concave mirrors mounted on the wall with the movable arm.
So I take my glasses off but most of the time have to close one eye.
The magnification of the mirror negates the need for glasses, and I can tilt/angle the mirror to see what I'm doing.
Once you get the hang of it this gets much easier and traveling (and not having that mirror) is not that big of a deal.

The brave ones learn to shave without a mirror....

I find that switching hands is really essential for a clear view. That, and switching my grip around.

You just have to play around until you find what works for you.