Thread: Go slowly...you only have one face

Well, here I am more than 2 years into this and still consider myself a beginner. The best advice I can think to offer is to go slowly...
read, watch videos, buy a shave ready razor or two, a decent strop with replaceable leather (taken my word), work hard on learning your face...beard direction, etc, work equally hard on lather, stropping and stretching, and then go as slowly as you need to on shaving. It takes time to learn.

Screw up any one of the things I've mentioned, and you'll get a bad shave (take my word again) and generally speaking stay away from "cheap (eBay, etc.)" until you know more. On the other hand soap or brushes or mugs don't need to be expensive, just proven (read more posts about what you're considering).

It will get better, just keep at it... Listening and learning. Members here here with lots of posts can be trusted to tell you the truth. Watch for them in the forum, in the classifieds , etc., and you'll be fine

Oh, and one more thing, there is no "best" anything...everybody has their own face, their own technique, their own water and their own opinion. Just buy decent, well regarded stuff. It will work for you.

have fun!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Oh, and one more thing, there is no "best" anything...everybody has their own face, their own technique, their own water and their own opinion. Just buy decent, well regarded stuff. It will work for you.

have fun!

Really, really glad you included that last little bit. Thank you.

Bob

Great advice for beginners. Especially the "go slowly" part. This is not a race. Take the time to enjoy the experience. Chances are, it you are getting bad shaves or lots of nicks and cuts, you are rushing things too much or not paying attention.

Some very good advice there Haroldg48; this isn't a race as there is no hurry learning. Also avoid as many distractions as possible and concentrate on the task at hand, it will pay off down the road and there will be less blood.....pink lather sucks!

One thing I suggest to new guys is use a butter knife to practice blade angle, pressure (very light), growth direction, etc. It might sound silly but you don't get cut and besides learning angle, etc. it also helps establish muscle memory which is real important when shaving with a str8 razor.

Good luck, shave safe and enjoy the journey!

Nice sum up of useful information!

+1

When I first started with a straight razor, it took me 40+ minutes to shave. Now, nine months later, and I still spend 15-20 minutes shaving.

Previously, with a DE, I could easily shave in less than 10 minutes, but frankly, I'm perfectly happy with going slow, and enjoying the experience.

Slow and proud!

But I still have both ears.......for the most part.

Go slow is good advice. When you slowly place and want to shave with a straight razor. Frequently you will feel when you are going to cut yourself, if you continue the movement you are making right that moment. Or you just know you have cut yourself without seeing the blood.
Going slow will prevent cutting yourself many times.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Well, here I am more than 2 years into this and still consider myself a beginner. The best advice I can think to offer is to go slowly...
read, watch videos, buy a shave ready razor or two, a decent strop with replaceable leather (taken my word), work hard on learning your face...beard direction, etc, work equally hard on lather, stropping and stretching, and then go as slowly as you need to on shaving. It takes time to learn.

Screw up any one of the things I've mentioned, and you'll get a bad shave (take my word again) and generally speaking stay away from "cheap (eBay, etc.)" until you know more. On the other hand soap or brushes or mugs don't need to be expensive, just proven (read more posts about what you're considering).

It will get better, just keep at it... Listening and learning. Members here here with lots of posts can be trusted to tell you the truth. Watch for them in the forum, in the classifieds , etc., and you'll be fine

Oh, and one more thing, there is no "best" anything...everybody has their own face, their own technique, their own water and their own opinion. Just buy decent, well regarded stuff. It will work for you.

have fun!