Made it through my first straight shave today!

This is a long one so sorry guys, I just wanted to document my first experience and initial thoughts to help with the learning process.

As the title says, I made it through my first straight shave today, with no nicks or cuts, just a touch of razor burn. I did my usual prep of hot shower and washing face with Nivea face wash. I face lathered with Cade soap, as it's been my top performer the last couple weeks. I made the first swipe down the sideburns on my right side, and it felt good so I kept going. I did my whole face with the grain, and across the grain. I know it was adventurous, but it felt good so I kept going. I needed some cleanup with my Slim set to 3, but all in all not a bad shave! My upper lip and a spot on my right jaw line where the grain shifts directions are the only bit of razor burn I sustained. I followed up with witch hazel and Nivea sensitive balm mixed with a couple drops of glycerin in my hands. My face feels a bit "warmer" than my usual shave, but I can't say it's any worse than when I picked up a DE for the first time. At least now I know how to make proper lather!

Some observations transitioning from DE to straight:
1. knowing how to make a proper lather was definitely a plus. I can see how the first time could be rough otherwise.
2. Knowing to pay attention to blade angle and pressure without having to constantly remind myself helped me focus more on the shaving technique and blade positioning on my face.
3. DE shaving definitely tought me to know my face, and having an instinctive feel for the growth patterns and contours made it easier to go so far the first time through.
4. There are definitely a few areas of my face that I need to figure out how to best hold the razor and attack. It's definitely different with a 3 in. long blade.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for all the help and support guys! I couldn't have done it without this helpful place.

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Originally Posted by Guitarguy118

4. There are definitely a few areas of my face that I need to figure out how to best hold the razor and attack. It's definitely different with a 3 in. long blade.

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I know exactly how you feel. I'm a straight razor rookie too. Got about 8-10 shaves under my belt now and I'm still struggling to find a way to hit a couple spots just under my jaw line where my beard grows sort of front to back. I can't quite seem to get the razor in there comfortably and at the right angle, but I'll eventually figure it out and so will you. All I would say is to take those areas slowly and don't worry too much about getting them really close for awhile. Just work on it slowly.

Good luck and good job keeping the blood on the inside.

Glad to hear it's going well. Ask questions if you have them but in the end it's your face. We can only tell you what works for us.

Being a newbie myself for the first shaves don't try a bbs shave just get comfortable shave, the angle, the pressure, the lather and the direction of the growth. On my first shave i did 2 pass whit the growth and finish up whit a DE. After the 5 or 6 shaves i was able to do 3 pass, now i do 3 pass whit touch up and i'm really close to bbs shave whit out any irritation or razor burn. I found straight shaving so pleasent that i don't use much my DE so much now. The post shave of the straight is just amazing. A nice welcome to traditional straight shaving. Gino

I'm not too concerned with BBS right now, that's what the DE is for. I'm mostly concerned with getting at least some hair off and not slicing my face up, which seems to be going well so far. I do like my blood better on the inside :) I'm sure all the odd angles and spots will get better as I keep practicing

Congratulations on finding out how easy it is to shave with a straight. The shaves just get better from here.

I wouldn't say its "easy" but it's definitely not as hard as I expected. And you're not constantly at risk of auto-decapitation. I think once you realize that the blade isn't so scary as long as you take care with it, it's definitely a learnable skill

In the beginning I watched many different youtube videos to see what techniques other guys used to get to the tricky places. That seemed to help me find and settle into a routine hand/blade/angle, and helped me build muscle memory. Keep with it and enjoy.

If you do have a bad shave (and you will), give your face a day or two to heal. Walking around with razor burn all week sucks! :mad: ;)

Good post and good advice. Glad it went so well. Still on the fence on trying a straight and posts like this help my confidence. Perhaps I'll look for a good, shave ready and give it a shot.
Got into DE a few months ago and the keys are prep, good lather/soap and take your time! It's one of the things I have come to love about wet shaving is slow down and enjoy it. So many years spent doing the deed as quick as possible and get it over with!
Good luck in your SR journey!

Congratulations and thank you.

You have hit on some key points that all beginning SR users should pay heed to.

The first is lather -- I still occasionally skimp on lathering when in a rush and I can never get a good shave then, usually reverting to my DE and some extra water (and care). Building a lather is an important learned skill!

The second is knowing your face. As odd as it sounds to someone starting out, you should go over your face with your hands to learn the contours and beard pattern to enable you to better approach it successfully with a SR.

Last, as you pointed out, there are some areas that just make more time to figure out, and they shouldn't be rushed. Every time I see someone new saying they shaved with only 2 or 3 "nicks" I wonder what they tried to do that they shouldn't have.

Good advice in your post.

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Originally Posted by Guitarguy118

I wouldn't say its "easy" but it's definitely not as hard as I expected. And you're not constantly at risk of auto-decapitation. I think once you realize that the blade isn't so scary as long as you take care with it, it's definitely a learnable skill

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I like this advise very much!

I think shaving with confidence rather than trepidation is a big key, but don't confuse confidence with carelessness. You have to respect the razor...I know that sounds ridiculously corny, but I think it's true.

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Originally Posted by NewellVW

Good post and good advice. Glad it went so well. Still on the fence on trying a straight and posts like this help my confidence. Perhaps I'll look for a good, shave ready and give it a shot.
Got into DE a few months ago and the keys are prep, good lather/soap and take your time! It's one of the things I have come to love about wet shaving is slow down and enjoy it. So many years spent doing the deed as quick as possible and get it over with!
Good luck in your SR journey!

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Go for it! I was first drawn into wet shaving by the straight razor but decided to go with DE first, due to budget constraints and trepidation. But a year later I figured why not? I think it's easier going from DE to straight than from cartridge simply because when you join these forums and take up traditional shaving you learn best shaving practices. So by the time you take up the straight, you already have a solid foundation of shaving knowledge and all that is left is to learn is the physical mechanics of straight shaving.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Congratulations and thank you.

You have hit on some key points that all beginning SR users should pay heed to.

The first is lather -- I still occasionally skimp on lathering when in a rush and I can never get a good shave then, usually reverting to my DE and some extra water (and care). Building a lather is an important learned skill!

The second is knowing your face. As odd as it sounds to someone starting out, you should go over your face with your hands to learn the contours and beard pattern to enable you to better approach it successfully with a SR.

Last, as you pointed out, there are some areas that just make more time to figure out, and they shouldn't be rushed. Every time I see someone new saying they shaved with only 2 or 3 "nicks" I wonder what they tried to do that they shouldn't have.

Good advice in your post.

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Originally Posted by murf

I like this advise very much!

I think shaving with confidence rather than trepidation is a big key, but don't confuse confidence with carelessness. You have to respect the razor...I know that sounds ridiculously corny, but I think it's true.

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I'm glad people are finding this helpful! I intended it to simply be a place to organize my thoughts about my experience, but if it helps others too all the better!! I think I'll continue documenting my straight razor journey here, for my own benefit as well as whoever wants to follow along. :)

And let me say again, a large part of my success is due to all the information I found on this site as well as in the shaving videos. So thank you to everyone for helping my first experience go so smoothly!

This is definitely the place to learn the details of wet shaving. Glad you're happy with it.
:chapeau

Big time congratulations on a great first shave! Great post too.

Since I didn't have time to write anything down yesterday, today's entry is shaves two and three.

Shave two went well. I waited two days because I have found that with my DE, two days is usually what it takes for my face to heal up as long as I didn't draw blood. The first pass was a little closer than last time I think. I kept the second pass XTG on my neck and around my mouth but decided to try ATG on my cheeks. Zero irritation or blood, success! I needed a little DE cleanup on my upper lip because it was a little uneven but otherwise a nice comfortable shave that got pretty darn close. My cheeks were near BBS and my chin was a little rougher, but not unacceptably so.

My biggest thought was with regards to razor grip and pressure. It seems you need a much firmer grip on a straight than is necessary with a DE. A firmer grip helped with the confidence of my strokes and actually made it easier to use less pressure. Because of this, the razor glided through hair across and against the grain much easier than last time.

Today was shave three. I probably should have waited another day to shave, but I got excited. I did the same shave as yesterday, but it felt a little rougher and I had a few dots of blood that disappeared with the cold water rinse I do at the end of my shaves. So nothing too bad, but my face definitely feels a little more raw than it has the last two times. So maybe while learning I should make sure to give my face the extra day of rest until I improve my skills a bit.

The other possible reason for the higher level of irritation today is that I did use a different soap. I have been using Cade a lot lately and I love it. But I also have soap and cream samples from Queen Charlotte soaps I got months ago that I haven't tried yet. So today I tried one of the creams, and the lather was wonderful for the first pass. It was super slick and shiny, and very nice to use. But by the second pass it had degraded a bit. I tried adding some water and working it some more, but it didn't come fully back to life. I probably should have just mixed up new lather but I pushed on anyway. Slickness seems extra important on later passes, so this might have been a worse plan than I thought.

The thought that I have today is that beard reduction is more important with a straight than with a DE. With the latter, I could get away with doing one ATG pass if I had shaved the previous day. I guess it could be a matter of skill level, but I'm inclined to believe its a difference between the blades. My question is; Is reduction more important with a straight? If you want to do an ATG pass, is it more necessary to go XTG first, or at least have a supper close WTG pass?

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Originally Posted by Guitarguy118

Since I didn't have time to write anything down yesterday, today's entry is shaves two and three.

Shave two went well. I waited two days because I have found that with my DE, two days is usually what it takes for my face to heal up as long as I didn't draw blood. The first pass was a little closer than last time I think. I kept the second pass XTG on my neck and around my mouth but decided to try ATG on my cheeks. Zero irritation or blood, success! I needed a little DE cleanup on my upper lip because it was a little uneven but otherwise a nice comfortable shave that got pretty darn close. My cheeks were near BBS and my chin was a little rougher, but not unacceptably so.

My biggest thought was with regards to razor grip and pressure. It seems you need a much firmer grip on a straight than is necessary with a DE. A firmer grip helped with the confidence of my strokes and actually made it easier to use less pressure. Because of this, the razor glided through hair across and against the grain much easier than last time.

Today was shave three. I probably should have waited another day to shave, but I got excited. I did the same shave as yesterday, but it felt a little rougher and I had a few dots of blood that disappeared with the cold water rinse I do at the end of my shaves. So nothing too bad, but my face definitely feels a little more raw than it has the last two times. So maybe while learning I should make sure to give my face the extra day of rest until I improve my skills a bit.

The other possible reason for the higher level of irritation today is that I did use a different soap. I have been using Cade a lot lately and I love it. But I also have soap and cream samples from Queen Charlotte soaps I got months ago that I haven't tried yet. So today I tried one of the creams, and the lather was wonderful for the first pass. It was super slick and shiny, and very nice to use. But by the second pass it had degraded a bit. I tried adding some water and working it some more, but it didn't come fully back to life. I probably should have just mixed up new lather but I pushed on anyway. Slickness seems extra important on later passes, so this might have been a worse plan than I thought.

The thought that I have today is that beard reduction is more important with a straight than with a DE. With the latter, I could get away with doing one ATG pass if I had shaved the previous day. I guess it could be a matter of skill level, but I'm inclined to believe its a difference between the blades. My question is; Is reduction more important with a straight? If you want to do an ATG pass, is it more necessary to go XTG first, or at least have a supper close WTG pass?

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Yes a firm grip is good but make sure to let the blade gilde the less pressure You use the better shave You get. Me i could straight shave every day 3 pass whit no irritation or neither Blood, the most important thing to my opinion is to pay attention to the direction of the growth, the curves of your face and not to shave in a rush, take your Time and enjoy the shave. Congratulation and keep up shaving straight is to my opinion the best way to shave. Gino

Congrats on your first straight shave. I still have vivid memories of mine, sweat running down my back from nervousness and the whole thing seeming to take an hour, LOL. After a couple of shaves you realize there's nothing scary about it as long as you concentrate and don't do anything stupid. It took me 4-6 shaves to stare getting results on a par with DE shaving, and I haven't used my DE since.

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Originally Posted by EV2

Congrats on your first straight shave. I still have vivid memories of mine, sweat running down my back from nervousness and the whole thing seeming to take an hour, LOL. After a couple of shaves you realize there's nothing scary about it as long as you concentrate and don't do anything stupid. It took me 4-6 shaves to stare getting results on a par with DE shaving, and I haven't used my DE since.

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Haha my first shave wasn't that harrowing, I just took my time and stopped before I felt uncomfortable. But I'm not quite at the level of my DE shaves yet, and am looking forward to being there. I still need it for some cleanup work. I'd love to be at the point where I can use a straight exclusively, three shaves in and I'm already hooked!

Nothing to report but progress today. I think I can chalk up the roughness of my last shave to ineffective lather. Today was much smoother. I also really paid attention to skin stretching behind the blade and that helped tremendously with the smoothness and closeness of the shave.

Your post was rather short I thought compared to some I have seen on their first experience...LOL! I still somtimes have to use my electric to get those crazy little areas when done!!!! Makes me insane to know my face has those areas and it is mainly on the neck area. I have been experimenting with some swiping techniques as given to me with warning to do so slowly and with little pressure so as to not perform the slice of death stroke!!!!!

It takes time for sure and different hold techniques a must!

If you made it through with no cuts at all, I'd consider that a major success.

My first straight shave wasn't quite that perfect, a few minor cuts. It only gets better!

The success of my first shave was due in no small part to reading and reading for months before I finally took the jump. So thanks again to this wonderful forum! It does indeed keep getting better. I just got through my 8th shave today and it's starting to get more comfortable. I've found that using no pressure is even more important than with a DE.

The tricky spots that will take time to master are my neck just underneath the jaw line, the bulb of my chin, and my upper lip. I can't seen to get an even shave in those areas yet. But I stop when it starts to feel dicey, before I cut myself and just clean up with my DE. I figure it'll come with time.

So today I had a realization. Well maybe not so much a realization as a lot of the advice I have read started to sink in. Previous to today's shave I have been trying to do a two or three pass shave, ending with ATG. I think after today I will revise my approach to learning this new tool. I previously thought that as long as I dont cut myself up I may as well shave the same way I do with my DE, just with the straight instead. Meaning that I usually do a two-pass WTG & ATG shave that leaves me BBS nearly every time with my DE. I have done this with the straight for the first 7 or 8 shaves, but it hasn't always been comfortable or particularly close.

My big revelation is that maybe I really should take a step back, stick to WTG & XTG and focus on getting an even shave. Then once my shaves are consistently even and irritation free, that would indicate my skill is improving sufficiently to try adding an ATG pass to get that extra closeness. The other reason I am thinking I should hold off on ATG for now is that it requires a very sharp and well kept blade, which may not be realistic until my stropping skill improves along with my shaving skill.

I know this has been said probably a thousand times in this site but patience is really your best friend while learning to use a straight.

Yep quit thinking you can master it in a few shaves , it'll take closer to a hundred shaves to really get smooth with a straight . It takes some practice to learn your face and to really get a feel for the razor technique that works for you.mand yes the strop is one of the most important aspects of keeping that blade perfect for the BBS shave, now another thing, I've been doing this for a couple years and I found out that I don't need a 3 pass shave everyday. Two is fine for most dYs , because I have learned to shave my face ,, slow down and keep it simple and one day you,ll have an ahhh haa moment and then BBS comes any time you want it. Tc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guitarguy118

4. There are definitely a few areas of my face that I need to figure out how to best hold the razor and attack. It's definitely different with a 3 in. long blade.

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I'm 6 weeks into my straight shave adventure and it will come. You'll find what works for you. Pluses you have is that it sounds like you learned lots of good lessons from DE shaving - angle of attack, proper lather, etc. These will serve you well. On your passes consider your angle difference for with, across and against the grain :) cheers! Attachment 203074

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Yep quit thinking you can master it in a few shaves , it'll take closer to a hundred shaves to really get smooth with a straight . It takes some practice to learn your face and to really get a feel for the razor technique that works for you.mand yes the strop is one of the most important aspects of keeping that blade perfect for the BBS shave, now another thing, I've been doing this for a couple years and I found out that I don't need a 3 pass shave everyday. Two is fine for most dYs , because I have learned to shave my face ,, slow down and keep it simple and one day you,ll have an ahhh haa moment and then BBS comes any time you want it. Tc

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That's exactly where I am with DE shaving so I know that it's possible to get my face BBS in two passes. It's just a matter of practicing and developing the skill to accomplish it. And I'm hoping that by hanging around here some knowledge will rub off on me!

Progress to something new only when you feel comfortable with it. I did touch ups with my old razor for about two weeks or so, before only using the straight. Didn't even start against the grain for maybe a month and then only on areas where it felt comfortable to do. Kept adding areas as it felt comfortable to do so.

This really isn't a race, you will learn and feel comfortable with what you are doing as time goes on. Just enjoy the experiance, that's what this is all about.

good to know about the lather and trying to figure out the beard pattern. i'll keep these tips in mind for the first time i shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guitarguy118

So today I had a realization. Well maybe not so much a realization as a lot of the advice I have read started to sink in. Previous to today's shave I have been trying to do a two or three pass shave, ending with ATG. I think after today I will revise my approach to learning this new tool. I previously thought that as long as I dont cut myself up I may as well shave the same way I do with my DE, just with the straight instead. Meaning that I usually do a two-pass WTG & ATG shave that leaves me BBS nearly every time with my DE. I have done this with the straight for the first 7 or 8 shaves, but it hasn't always been comfortable or particularly close.

My big revelation is that maybe I really should take a step back, stick to WTG & XTG and focus on getting an even shave. Then once my shaves are consistently even and irritation free, that would indicate my skill is improving sufficiently to try adding an ATG pass to get that extra closeness. The other reason I am thinking I should hold off on ATG for now is that it requires a very sharp and well kept blade, which may not be realistic until my stropping skill improves along with my shaving skill.

I know this has been said probably a thousand times in this site but patience is really your best friend while learning to use a straight.

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that was pretty much the same advice I got from a mentor early on, I had been shaving for a month or two, getting close but bloody uncomfortable shaves, his advice was to pull it back to one or two passes and be content with the results and just let time take care of the improvements. I still don't get perfect shaves most of the time but I also don't let it worry me, I only get cross if my shave was rough and I end up with weepers, cuts or irritation and these usually happen when I have been mucking around with my razor maintenence routine.

I'm not quite sure what I did differently this morning, but I a very nice DFS and absolutely zero irritation. The aftershave didn't burn at all, and hours later its the closest and most even straight shave I've managed yet. I did a WTG and an XTG pass and I'm shocked at the results.

I think it's all starting to come together; proper stropping technique, blade angles, shaving technique, and getting a hang of the tough spots on my face. Very excited! :rock:

I guess the whole "practice and time" stuff is really true after all.

I think that is how it goes, you wonder if it will ever come together and then one day, without consciously thinking about anything, it just works.

Congrats.

The best thing is that it will still continue to get better and you will get more ahha moments.