Last minute tips?

I'll admit, as the date I get my shave ready razor got closer, I was getting more and more excited... but as time goes on, it's getting a little like a wedding. The excitement builds and builds until you get really close and the nervousness sets in. ;) In about a week, I'm going to be running something so sharp it could easily open me up like a tommato or peel off my skin over my face and throat!

So I'm wondering if anyone has any last minute suggestions or tips?

I'll admit there are a few parts I'm worried about. Like going from under my lip and down my chin. No matter how I contort my face there is still a bit of a change in angle there, an area where there is a bit of a hill to climb to get on to my chin. I'm hoping that the razor will just glide over this and not cut my chin off... I'm also nervous about under my chin, moving down to my throat. Once again, there's a big change in angle there... How will I not slice in to my throat?

So, what can you say to help me along? What can you say to calm my nerves? ;)

Just relax; that's the best advice I can give you. I just started with straights a few weeks ago myself. The first couple of shaves I just went over the sides of my face down to the jaw line and finished up the rest with my DE. Once I felt more comfortable I started working everything else and it's going great. Take your time and don't worry - as long as you stretch the skin tight and mind the blade angle you'll be fine. Respect it but don't fear it!

Cobo relax, you'll be fine.
Unless you are pressing the blade INTO your face/neck/whatever, it's not likely to cut you. Just remember no longitudinal "slicing" motions and you are very unlikely to cut yourself. Also, if your blade meets with resistance under the lather, check the angle you're holding the blade before "powering on through". It will save you bloodshed.
Ask how I know.

Your skin is elastic, it merely lets the blade slide along it just like your strop. Whiskers do not, however, slide out of the way and conform to the contour of the blade. So they are cut.
Its the same principle that keeps everyone else's razors, be it a DE, straight, M3, etc. from simply slicing off skin.

I guess I'm trying to say, watch your angles, (to avoid razor burn and get the best results from your shave) avoid "slicing" motions, and well, it's a lot easier than it sounds. Enjoy!
John P.

When you start shaving with a straight you shouldn't even be thinking about complete shaves for a while. Initially just simple N-S strokes down the sides of your face and chin. That's all I would do until you are comfortable holding and using the razor. After that you can do N-S on your neck and slowly build on that.

I have to agree with thebigspendur.

Get comfortable with the blade first before you start "experimenting".
I'm a newbie myself and that's what I did the first couple of shaves until I felt comfortable enough to try my whole face.
Even after you feel up to trying that, don't expect to get a BBS.
Expect to clean up with your DE or M3 for a while.

Patrick

It really is not a dangerous as it may appear. Good advice given in previous posts. The first time will be the most anxious, but after that the tremble in your hand will begin to abate. I think we all go through a case of nerves the first time.
The directions on my old Kropp box just said to lay the razer flat on your face, raise the spine and begin right away.

Straight razor shaving is no-where near as scary as marriage,
so you have nothing to worry about.

- Scott

As everyone else said, relax. There's really nothing to be nervous about. You're not going to cut your face off. Just take is slow and stretch your skin really tight.

Many people suggest working ONLY your cheeks/jawline for the first shave. Of course, this is up to you. For my first shave, I had a goatee. I just had to worry about the cheeks, neck and jawline. I'm pretty sure this DID help me when I finally started shaving the rest.

Good luck!
~Chris

Relax, take it slow, and don't overshave. You don't have to get a complete and perfect shave the first, second, or tenth time.

Thank you all. I took the plunge last night, though my razor (the one I sharpened myself, the shave ready razor is still in the mail) I hadn't gotten it quite sharp enough, but pretty close. It caught on some hairs occasionally, but for the most part sliced them pretty good.

I didn't do a very good job shaving, though. :P I had to go over the same areas with my DE to get the stubble actually down to where I'd like it, but I didn't cut myself. I only covered my cheeks and jaw line though, I couldn't get it to run smooth under my chin or over my chin and didn't want to horse it. I think that having used a razor that was a little too dull I was probably runner a greater risk than usual.

So between that and all your words of encouragement, my nerves have died down a bit, but not my incredible respect for a tool that sharp. :P