Thread: First Shave Review

I just received my Wapi from Mike_Ratliff of thewellhonedrazor.com and had my first (partial) shave yesterday.

Weaponry:

1 5/8 Wapienica
1 CVS Boars Bristle shaving brush
1 (unknown) hard soap (courtesy of the aforementioned Mike)

Battleplan:

Shave as much of my face with the razor but stay away from my chin and upper lip until I get used to the technique and grip of the straight razor.

Results:

First of all, this was my first time using a brush to apply shaving creme/soap and I have to say it felt amazing! I got a little tingle down the back of my neck when the brush first made contact with my face and the warm soap felt very relaxing. I started the shave on the upper part of my cheek where I normally begin and came down my jaw line to my chin. I did this on both sides and was glad to see that I hadnt cut my self yet! Then, I strayed from my plan and started on my upper lip. At first it was okay and I did the right side, but when I started on the left side I could tell that my grip wasn't stable and the razor was pulling. In a mind over matter moment, I put down my razor, took a deep breath, and decided it was better that I finish the shave with my mach3 this time so as to keep my face intact. Chin, neck, and upper lip...another battle, another time.

Overall, it was pretty intense and fun at the same time. Im glad I didnt cut myself yet as that might have discouraged me a bit. Cant wait to do it again!

Just one question, does anyone here shave ambidextrously? just wondering, that would be pretty sick.

Congrats on your first shave! It is fun, isn't it? It only gets better.

Ambidextrous shaving? It's recommended that you learn from the get go to shave using both hands; meaning, use your right hand to shave as much of the right side of your face and vice versa.

I applaud you for doing the right thing and not pushing through areas that were not smooth shaving and instead finishing with another type of razor you're familiar with. I didn't when I started and suffered a bit with unwelcome razor burn.

If you didn't already, remember that stretching the skin is very important with this type of shaving. I recommend that you stick to your cheeks for a few more sessions and focus on taking your opposite hand (left hand to stretch while using your right hand to hold the razor when shaving your right cheek, etc) to stretch. Make that skin as taught as possible in front of the razor's edge.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Chris L

Almost all of us shave with both hands. We are all certainly "sick".

Congrats on the first shave and welcome to SRP.....going slow instead of jumping in too quickly is smart thinking. Best of luck on the next one!

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Almost all of us shave with both hands. We are all certainly "sick".

Ha! Perfect! (cough wheeze)

Congrats on the first shave! It really is something isn't it?

I shave ambidexterously, and don't have much problems with it. Even the lip and chin area, which I could shave comfortably with my right hand only, I will switch hands sometimes when shaving. It's a zen thing - don't do this unless you are ambidexterous. Expect nicks and cuts if you do anyway, as the chin is by far the most challenging part to shave with any hand.

Question to the more experienced straight shavers: right hand - right side of face, left hand - left side of face. But do you switch when shaving the neck? I find that shaving the sides of my neck with the opposite side hand is more comfortable than using the same side hand. I also totally change the grip on my razor. Am I being a total freak, or is this common?