Week One of Str8 Shaving...

My shave-ready str8 arrived a week ago yesterday and I've shaved with it almost every day since. I still sometimes do the 1st WTG pass w/ a DE (the jawline in particular is still hard to get right), but I also try without.

Some spots (cheeks, sideburns) are just about BBS after an XTG pass--actually closer than with the DE! Others are not... I think investing in a TM strop is in order soon as my current strop is very crappy (I have to constantly straighten it to avoid cupping.) That might improve overall comfort. I still can get some burn if I'm careless with the pressure, but I'm getting better at it.

Was consistently getting some (or a lot of) pulling in the tougher areas until I remembered to always lead with the point/heel--since then things have improved markedly, but I still get a bit in the jawline area even going WTG (I have a very tough beard.) Any pre-shave suggestions? (I do always shower right before and I always have lather on while stropping.)

One thing's for sure though--I'm sold on str8s! No matter how careless/green I was last week, I never even got a single ingrown! :D (Even with a DE, I could sometimes get them.) And I haven't stabbed myself once, even though I'm learning on a spike point!!:) Whew, that was a long-winded post!

Gratz man! Posts like this make me excited and less-nervous about starting when my gear arrives!

Awesome! You're a natural.:tu Some people add a pre-shave item prior to a shower (even something like noxema or nivea). I'd just say keep doing what you're doing. Always be mindful of that blade and keep it moving. The edges are so sharp that even parking it on your skin for a second prior to making a pass can start it sinking in in a bad way.

Kudos to you starting to learn out of the gate with a spike point.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Chris L