Thread: self control

So, during the very early learning phase, when-at least by some people's reckoning- one should confine ones attempts to sideburn/cheek areas, how do you manage to contain your enthusiasm?

I grabbed a freshly honed dovo last night and for the first time touched razor to cheek. the idea was just to see how sharp this thing really was. After a touch or two, I felt compelled to lather a little-just a little! I'm not shaving. no really!-under my sideburns. I successfully whacked some whiskers off and put clean edge on a sideburn. Well, I couldn't leave it at that, so I did the same on the other side. Just for symmetry, ya know.

Well, I couldn't have my sideburns and the area directly under them all cleanshaven without the rest, right? I mean, really, who could sleep knowing that they're only 10% shaved? So I lathered a little more, shaved a little more. then started cleaning up around the goatee. And then it happened. The combination of addicted rush and overconfidence. I'm a Natural!

not so much. Like the greeks tried so hard to teach us, hubris precedes the fall... So impressed with my native ability with a good blade, I rounded the bottom of my jaw, stopped thinking for a second and drew the blade parallel to its edge, nicely burying it in the soft spot beneath my jaw. whoops!

Of course, I'll try again tonight. (I think this post inadvertantly answered a question posed by another user: What's WRONG with us?)

so, back to the question. If the steel actually embedding itself beneath my skin won't give me patience, what will? How do you convince yourself that a little success is a good place to stop? or should I just give in to my shaving compulsion and give up self control?

Bill

I would just do what you're comfortable with. As long as your expectations are realistic, you should be fine. Have fun and enjoy!

Jordan

You actually pose some questions that reach much farther than shaving....

My self-control regarding shaving was limited to waiting until I had reviewed Lynn's DVD several times and waiting until a quiet Saturday morning when I would not be rushed in any way.

Good self control? I guess not really, but I did take my time (hell, nearly 45 minutes) and came thru the 1st few shaves relatively unscathed.

I didn't shift to attempting a early AM (prior to work) shave with a str8 until I had a half-dozen shaves or so. Even then, I padded my time quite a bit to ensure I could concentrate. Still managed to cut my chin a couple of times....

At the end of the day the only way you learn (and improve) is by doing


v/r

Allen

Confidence is a good thing. Over-confidence isn't (especially with this).

Sounds like you have the right mentality. While I haven't started shaving with a str8 yet, it seems like the gumption necessary to not only start, but to keep at it is similar to when you first start learning about guns and knives or anything else that WILL cause you physical harm if you don't do it right. You gotta learn from your mistakes, but not give up. Persistence is key.

From what you say in your post, you got plenty of that.

Welcome to the SRP!

Just be sure to perform a very good beard prep next time and to strop on a plain leather strop for 50 roundtrip laps just before each shave ( not the nite before).

From what I've read here so far, if the passing out from blood loss a few times doesn't help with your lack of self control, it'll take a foreclosure or bankruptcy to curb your soon to strike RAD. Good luck!

Originally Posted by BenMVermont

From what I've read here so far, if the passing out from blood loss a few times doesn't help with your lack of self control, it'll take a foreclosure or bankruptcy to curb your soon to strike RAD. Good luck!

Heh, heh, heh...

Yeah. I foresee a bad case of RAD coming on...

thanks guys.
Bill