Thread: First few shaves (i.e. First Blood...)

I'll keep this newbie journal running for a week. Maybe some future newbie will benefit on a search.

Upon reflection, one of the main differences between DE and my fledgling rounds with straight shaving is that I don't yet have the confidence and skills to go ATG with my straight razor. An ATG pass is critical with my DE in order to produce a good, close shave. I can't imagine that I'll ever surpass my DE results until I can go ATG.

Day 4
Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday's bad cut is healed enough that I'm safe to shave again.

As planned, I returned to the 5/8 today.

I'm definitely getting better. I was able to accomplish WTG and XTG without spilling any blood! Oh joy!

I even managed to work out a better result on my chin. I employed Lynn's technique of saving the chin until last and then reapplying lather. Making silly contorted faces seems to be one of the keys to getting this area right.

Since I was on a roll (i.e. not bleeding yet), the obvious next step was to go ATG on my neck. I did a few contortions trying to get the right combination of grip, blade angle, and stretched skin. It just wasn't coming together. The blade was skipping and I was clearly headed for trouble.

I stopped.

Two passes with no cuts is a success. No need to punish myself. (Besides, I've already got three cuts healing. Not a great look for the office. )

I did complete an ATG pass with my DE. This final touch gave me a beautifully finished shave. BBS with no irritation or cuts. Very, very nice.

I'm going to accept the compromise of finishing with a DE ATG pass for awhile. There is a lot of room for improvement in the rest of my technique. No need to suffer with lousy shaves while I learn.

All in all, I'm delighted today.