Twice I have found myself saying this. "Rob, you want another beer?", "No thanks, gotta shave in the morning" I never really expected that sort of effect from trying out straight razors. Anyway, so I've shaved about 25 times now, and I think I have finally started turning a corner - I can shave my whole face and get it very close in some areas, and decent in others. I usually nick myself once a shave, often on my jawbone - still figuring out the facial contortion necessary for a close shave there. Thanks to the SoCal meeting's help my stropping has improved and I suspect I could keep a razor sharp enough to shave with for a whole month Sad, I know, but better than how I started off.

As a bunch of newbies in here, I see us all posting about first shaves, questions, difficulties etc. I don't think I did a first shave post, but this is a post because I've reached a point where I think I can honestly say I can give myself a decent shave with a straight. I do believe I will consider myself a newbie for quite a while longer though!

Oh, I do wonder whether my new razor has helped get me here or the last step - I have just started using a 4/8 full hollow (I think) "Adoration", much smaller than my other razor, and I find it very easy to guide it, this is the razor I won in the SoCal meeting, donated by Bill Ellis.

Peace,
Rob