I bladed it yesterday

Emotionally, I find "blading it" feels about the same whether it's from my "best quality" dovo to my face or my 9 iron to my shiny new golf ball. My third shave in and I made a visible error by setting the sharp edge to my face in a stationary fashion, I need to remember to have the blade moving before it makes contact with my face as I was reminded more than once before this ever happened by another "wise SRP" member---but like I told him, I generally have to learn the hard way. It is a lesson well received, none the less and not soon forgotten as the hard ones usually are. So I used my Braun electric shaver today, not because I'm throwing in the towel already, but I thought I might let my flesh mend a little bit and it would be nice to be to work on time. I keep underestimating how long the pre-shave and shave and cleanup take with a straight...but I'm learning, slowly but Shirley. This is a strange and fascinating new hobby I've gotten myself into. I'm still racking (wracking?) my brain as to how I got into this--------------------- who cares, it's FUN!

Smart thing to do..
We all went through what you just did, more than once.

It takes a bit of time to gain speed, for workday shaves.
It'll come with time and practice.

The pre and post shave goes more quickly once you get into a routine with which you're comfortable.

You're right about the pitfalls of a stationary blade-a slight movement, like the waggle before a golf swing-works much better.

Some new folks will complain about lines after the shave. And its from doing the same thing but without movement. So keep that in mind too. Its the littlest things that can cause issues. We wont hold it against you for still owning an electric. Just get the fire pit ready so you can toss it in when the time comes. :)

We've all been there!!
I can get a one pass shave with prep done in 4-5 mins including stropping and two pass in under 8. It just will take some time to get to that speed/skill level

Your doing just fine my friend. Just fine. There's no shame in falling back on your old shaving method whether it's to do touch ups or complete shaves.

Back in the day when there were only two shaving 'Options' (shave with a straight razor or don't shave at all) when a young man came decided to shave he had a father, uncle, older brother or even a neighbor who would guide him. Also his beard was sparse and not toughened up so as he learned and his beard grew in and grew tougher he could adapt .

Unlike that scenario most of us are having to learn on our own with beards that are tough and sometimes about the equivalent of Brillo Pads.

You'll get there, it just takes time and patience--lots of patience. :tu

I still have issues shaving my bald head, a wise srp member told me it takes 100 shaves or so to get used to it and it is so true. Do not give up, it is such a fun hobby, follow the advice of these wise veterans. Cheers

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Originally Posted by rodb

We've all been there!!
I can get a one pass shave with prep done in 4-5 mins including stropping and two pass in under 8. It just will take some time to get to that speed/skill level

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Ok, tomorrow morning I'm going to time myself after the shower. Prep + stropping + one pass + clean up + post strop. I'm not going to rush at all, I'm just curious to see where I'm at.

There you go! Just like breaking a horse. He's going to throw your ass several times and will probably bite a chunk of you if you don't pay attention. Get back up and keep going. Just as with horses, once you learn and respect their abilities, a razor will be a fine friend to you and many years of enjoyment will come from it. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by terriblegolfer

Ok, tomorrow morning I'm going to time myself after the shower. Prep + stropping + one pass + clean up + post strop. I'm not going to rush at all, I'm just curious to see where I'm at.

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Be careful, I'm at probably 1000+ shaves, at 50 shaves I was at 15+ mins for a double pass

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Originally Posted by rodb

Be careful, I'm at probably 1000+ shaves, at 50 shaves I was at 15+ mins for a double pass

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Oh, I know I will be slow and I will be careful. I'm just curious where I'm at, time wise. I'll time myself again in a week or two. I'll just estimate it will take me 20 minutes tomorrow so I know when to set my alarm. I really want to use the Xpec soap again that was loaned to me, it smells awesome. I've already made a list of all the "tier1" soaps/creams from another thread and priced them all out, geez, rabbit hole is right and I haven't even started shopping for another blade which will obviously happen. :dropjaw:

Ive been at it for about 17 months now. And a 3 pass shave is 25 minutes. Im not too worried about time as i shave before bed. Be careful and take your time. No reason to rush a good thing.

35 yr. Veteran straight shaver...4 pass shave takes 15-20 min average. That's prep - clean up.

I timed it this morning and it was a little over 15 minutes for one pass and I still had to touch up shave afterwards.

Not bad at all, Alex. Don't worry about taking a bit longer to shave at first; at least, there's no worry of officials "putting you on the clock." ;)

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Originally Posted by terriblegolfer

I timed it this morning and it was a little over 15 minutes for one pass and I still had to touch up shave afterwards.

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That's absolutely normal for under 20 shaves, my first multi-pass shave took 30 mins.

I believe I'm at about 200 shaves and I still take my time. I find I'm achieving some very nice single-pass shaves.

I could speed it up, but why? I'm having fun.

:cool:

I really enjoy my extended Sunday morning shaves. Shower, hot towel, lather up, hot towel again, lather up, brush teeth and strop while lather on face, shave - usually two passes, alum block and end with aftershave.

It is very meditative and everyone knows to leave me alone while I am indulging myself. The rest of the day seems pretty good after this ritual.

Unlike DE shaving, which is kind of efficient and utilitarian, SR shaving provides a much more relaxing and calming experience. Not too calm however, or you’ll lose focus and be looking for the styptic pencil and box of bandages ; )