Thread: My first attempt at SR shaving

Another short update to my ongoing SR shaving saga. It is amazing how shaves from day to day can be different. I had a great shave today. There are several things I did different than I had been doing previously. I used the following today:

Washed face with Shea Butter soap; damp dried and applied Proraso while I made lather. Prior to lathering I applied hot towel to face X 2, then reapplied Proraso.
Preshave: Proraso Green Tea & Oatmeal before each pass.
Razors: Ralf Aust 5/8 Straight Razor (cheeks/neck WTG; cheeks only XTG). Gillette 1961 Fatboy (finished ATG only)
Soap: Mama Bear, Sandalwood/Rose
Brush: Vie-Long, Horse Hair (1st time to use it)
Post shave: Thayers Rose Witch Hazel; Lucky Tiger AS Tonic

The details I changed included using the Proraso between each pass as I had only used it before the 1st pass before. I lathered in sections, which seemed to help with the soap drying too quickly. The soap and the brush were also different. Ever since I had been wet shaving I had used alum over my entire face to calm the burn. I did not use it today and had no burn at all. I am now wondering if I am allergic to alum.

I am getting a little better each time with the SR; this was my 9th partial practice shave.

Are there any comments or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Your doing just fine, it is after all just your ninth partial shave. Short of having someone watch and help you, all you can do is experiment a little with pre-shave prep, lather, angles, pressure, etc. just don't try too many new things at once or you won't know what made the difference.

Just keep practicing and you will get it and your face will get accustomed to the straight.

Soon things that didn't work well, will and with no real explanation as to why, they just will.

All is well, your doing good. It will soon be very easy for you but it will take some time. Give yourself a couple months with every day shaves. Soon you'll wonder why it was difficult in the beginning when you first started with the straight.

Most of all, just enjoy the experiance.

Keep it up! Keep notes of what you have done and the result, and eventually you will figure out what works best for you and what you simply prefer. Most of all, have fun and make sure you ask if you don't know