Thread: Shave Attempt Number Two

Originally Posted by JonnyM

That there is a Great idea!!,, one i will most likely not follow for i learn by painful failure lol

Painful failure can have it's own rewards..................lol!

ps chicks dig scars.........there is always that

.
I'm still pretty new to the sport, but I'm on the path to being a one-handed shaver. These are the grips that I use to shave the right and left sides of my face.



To clean up my neck I rotate the scales to a straight-out position parallel to the blade.

I'm thinkin' that I've still got plenty of time to learn to use my left hand if If I don't get lazy.

Originally Posted by FWiedner

.
I'm still pretty new to the sport, but I'm on the path to being a one-handed shaver. These are the grips that I use to shave the right and left sides of my face.
...

I too am pretty new to the sport (despite having an Invicta razor for more than 5 years) and one thing I've learned is that the grip is very subjective. Like many things in the field YMMV and , concerning grips, I would say this: hold the razor in a way that gives you a steady and comfortable hold. Do not feel afraid to change the grip while shaving (just don't do it while the blade is touching skin) and move the scales as much as you need.

Maybe with experience you learn to maintain a single grip (I have yet to archive that) but yes, I vouch for steady and comfortable grips. In my case: Sideburns, cheeks, mustache and chin WTG are done with the classic grip (the one on your left photo) but when I move to the XTG I grab the razor as you do in the same left photo but my middle-index-thumb fingers are holding the sides of the tang and not top-bottom.
As I move to the ATG, my grip switches completely and I grab the tang between my thumb's face and the index' side (second and third phalanx). This is probably the most unconventional grip but it's the one that gives me the best hold and control.

@JohnnyM
In my experience, a 2day stub is optimal. The skin has healed enough and the whiskers are not too big to be an issue. I have found that the longer the whisker, the more problematic the shave (maybe my razors need a little bit of extra sharpening but that's a topic for another time).
As I said before, I think it's ok if you try another kind of grip. As long as you feel comfortable with it. Angle and stroke are quite important. In my specific case, I do not use the famous 30 degree angle, I use a "1x spine separation" meaning the spine is at a "spine's thickness" from the skin. I also use a guillotine stroke which I would *not* recommend just yet. I have some experience with this motion since it's the same I use when I DE shave (and I must say I am quite proficient with DE shave since that's how I started my journey nearly 10 years ago) but for beginners... I would say it's a bit dangerous technique.

Still, the stroke is not impossible and if tried with good care (I shave a cm or two of beard at a time, I don't slice through the whole cheek's whiskers) I think it can improve your shave. You can find help in youtube and also these articles will shed more light
Shave Like Grandad: Shaving Technique: Different Strokes for Different Folks
Shave Like Grandad: The Oblique Stroke with a Straight Razor

I hope this info helps you get a better shave and not better scars :P