Thread: 16 Year old beginner

Very true I didn't think of that. Maybe just shaving in general. I remember my 1st shave at 13 with my dad's Gillette adjustable DE and it wasn't pretty..lol!

Originally Posted by donaldjr1969

It also could be his face is not used to a SR and/or face prep. Going back to my first shave 2 months ago, my face looked like it was sun burnt! But what I did wrong was in face prep, lathering, and technique. For face prep, I just washed my face with a wet rag and placed a hot rag on as hot as I can stand. Taking a full shower beforehand would have softened my,skin more thoroughly. My lathering was too thick and I tended to drag the razor a bit. MWF is a very good soap, but in retrospect, its finicky lathering qualities probably make it not the best choice for a first time wet shaver.

With my technique, the angle was fine as I went for about 2 spine heights. My problem was that I didn't stretch the skin as well as I should have done. This caused me to make multiple passes just to get smooth as I wanted. But I soon figured it out and my shaves soon were irritation free.

Originally Posted by donaldjr1969

It also could be his face is not used to a SR and/or face prep. Going back to my first shave 2 months ago, my face looked like it was sun burnt! But what I did wrong was in face prep, lathering, and technique. For face prep, I just washed my face with a wet rag and placed a hot rag on as hot as I can stand. Taking a full shower beforehand would have softened my,skin more thoroughly. My lathering was too thick and I tended to drag the razor a bit. MWF is a very good soap, but in retrospect, its finicky lathering qualities probably make it not the best choice for a first time wet shaver.

With my technique, the angle was fine as I went for about 2 spine heights. My problem was that I didn't stretch the skin as well as I should have done. This caused me to make multiple passes just to get smooth as I wanted. But I soon figured it out and my shaves soon were irritation free.

I agree ....
The skin is fresh for newbies to the straight, and has not adjusted to the exfoliating effects of a straight.
The exfoliate properties make are skin produce lanolin type oil (dont recall proper word) quicker over time.
In essence.... Your face is not tempered yet!!!! JMHO

Originally Posted by rodb

Very true I didn't think of that. Maybe just shaving in general. I remember my 1st shave at 13 with my dad's Gillette adjustable DE and it wasn't pretty..lol!

Originally Posted by outback

I agree ....
The skin is fresh for newbies to the straight, and has not adjusted to the exfoliating effects of a straight.
The exfoliate properties make are skin produce lanolin type oil (dont recall proper word) quicker over time.
In essence.... Your face is not tempered yet!!!! JMHO

Hello to another fellow Akronite!!! Technically I'm in Cuyahoga Falls, but Akron is easier to find on a map.

Anyway, even so, one can still get razor burn. We all have off days for anything and shaving is no exception. Just today, I have some burn right in the corners where the upper and lower lips meet. Some days I get it there while others I do not. I had the same thing from time to time with cartridges.

But don't let that worry you. Razor burn is easily tamed with a cold rag afterwards as well as using an alcohol free, cooling post shave balm such as Nivea. I'd still rather have a little bit of razor burn from a SR but with a BBS/DFS shave than a burn free cartridge shave that's not as close.

Bravo to you.

never to young to begin

Hello again every one!

First of all I must apologize for not getting back in touch, but I'd just like to thank you all for the deep information you gave me! Believe me when I say that I read it all and had taken it in.

I'm now 18, I have a very in depth knowledge on shaving with a straight, honing, face prep etc. Most of my knowledge is thanks to you all and throughout my journey as a Straight razor user! It took me about 4 months to finally get the knack of what I was doing, fully.

I found someone near me whom helped me learn and practice my technique. (it was very sloppy at first as you may have guessed)

2 years down the line and I am still enjoying every shave I have!

Again, thank you ALL! Take care, stay classy.

~Ellis

Alright, way to go. I hope you have continued success.

Bob

Thankyou Bob!

Good to hear from you again.
Congratulations for sticking with it, for they only keep getting better and better.

I started when I was 17 and even now at 48 or 49 (don't care) I cant wait for the next morning ritual.
So why you not post your location.? Hell you might live just down the road from a bunch of us.
So how many of your pals think your nuts. I just love seeing peoples expression when they find out what I shave with, the girls usually want to feel how smooth my face is. [emoji6]

Thankyou! It has been definitely worth the 2 years!

Every time I shave about every 4 or 5 days, because I enjoy the grow back length, and I too look forward to it!

I don't know how to through settings and if I'm honest I'm not all too bothered but if the slight chance anyone on this thread is close to me then I'd be astounded! I live on the south coast of the UK, in a town called Eastbourne.

I'm always getting compliments on my soft skin, they have a tendency to touch it because they find my skin is very whole. I'll take any compliment I can get lol!