Thread: Electric Razor to Wet Shaving Adjustment Period?

I've just cleared by first dozen SR shaves and continue to move up the learning curve, after a few of decades of electric razor shaving. I'm still struggling with shaving above my top lip and my chin area. The rest of of the face including the neck and jawline go pretty smoothly. During the last couple of times, I've even done 3 pass shaves, including ATG without too much trouble on the rest of my face, but those two trouble spots continue to haunt me.

I'm sure that a lot of the problem is my beginner's technique, but I can't help but feel that my skin and beard are going to need some time to adjust to wet shaving after 30 years of electric shaving. Is this true, or is this just wishful thinking on my part?

I haven't shaved my upper lip in 40 years. My advice is to watch several of the many youtube shaving videos and watch their techniques. There quite a few that shave their mustaches.

Now build yourself a sacrificial altar out of unhewn stone. Place a pile of wood on top with a generous splash of charcoal starter. Next cut the cord off your Norelco, position the cord and razor on the altar and ignite. Then "Wade" and "Butcher", the shaving gods, will bless you with many good shaves.

The closer you are to the center of your face, the more skill it takes for a close shave. When I began, I could easily get a nice shave on the cheeks and the side of the neck. The center line of the face encompassing the goatee area, and the adams apple took a while to get dialed in. Don't stress it, in time your problem areas will get smaller and smaller.

I wouldn't be to worried about it at this point. a dozen shaves? your still a few months from being very proficient. this is not and instant gratification and result hobby. just pay attention to technique and advise, plus just relax. the 100 shave benchmark is more true than not, and I still see Improvements after 4 + years of daily shaving. the chin will get better as you get better. try to stay away from looking for that BBS shave. and just concentrate on comfortable shaves Tc

A big congratulations going from electric to the best shave possible. Give yourself time and keep at it. You will be rewarded with the absolute best shaves of your life that in no way can be compared to an electric shave. In a few months, you will be amazed.

The moustache is a tough on for many. I cannot go against the grain there unless I want nicks and a rash. Light pressure, low blade angle and stretching and holding my skin is pretty paramount. In the beginning one of the things that was tough was I was taking so long to shave that my lather would dry out. The solution of course is pretty simple, just relather. I would think that if your skin was not already tough from the @#**$$ electric razor nothing is going to toughen it up. Take your time.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The moustache is a tough on for many. I cannot go against the grain there unless I want nicks and a rash. Light pressure, low blade angle and stretching and holding my skin is pretty paramount. In the beginning one of the things that was tough was I was taking so long to shave that my lather would dry out. The solution of course is pretty simple, just relather. I would think that if your skin was not already tough from the @#**$$ electric razor nothing is going to toughen it up. Take your time.

Thanks guys, for the encouragement. I'm happy with my progress thus far and am very willing to invest the time to climb the learning curve. Right now, it does take me quite a while to shave and I do end up relatering as the lather dries out. I also haven't had the guts to try the "scooping" motion on the mustache area and go at it slowly from the sides using the spanish point.

I was curious to find out if any electric to wet shave transitioners found that it took awhile for the face/beard to adjust to wet shaving, notwithstanding the SR shaving learning curve.

Mustache and chin areas were the most difficult spots on my face to master. I eventually found that I could get a really close shave on the mustache area using XTG rather than ATG.

At this point in your shaving journey, you will be improving slightly with each and every shave. Give yourself a few months, and you will find the chin and mustache to be less troubling as you progressively optimize blade angle, pressure, and overall stroke.

Originally Posted by Benz

I haven't shaved my upper lip in 40 years. My advice is to watch several of the many youtube shaving videos and watch their techniques. There quite a few that shave their mustaches.

Now build yourself a sacrificial altar out of unhewn stone. Place a pile of wood on top with a generous splash of charcoal starter. Next cut the cord off your Norelco, position the cord and razor on the altar and ignite. Then "Wade" and "Butcher", the shaving gods, will bless you with many good shaves.

The altar is wooded, fueled and ready. I'm just waiting for the day when I don't need the electric for touchup...

Oh just give it up. You only think you still need it. So you dont have a perfect shave. It will get better with time. But if you keep using the electric it will hold you back. Go for the gusto!