Thread: First Shave

Well I successfully completed my first shave yesterday and I have lived to tell the story. I have to say that the video tutorials make it look a heck of a lot easier than it actually is. At certain points during the shave I felt like a contortionist at the circus. My elbows were flailing in directions I didn't think possible. I'm hoping practice makes perfect.

My biggest problem would have to be making a good lather. I used a cheap wal-mart hard soap with a cheap brush, would a better soap and better brush help this part of the process? My lather seems to dry out quite rapidly, is this normal?

Also, is this new found obsession with razors, strops, creams, hones, and anything shave related a normal side effect of this experience?

This is a great community that I feel I will be sticking with for a while.


P.S. Thanks Coully for the great razor you sold me.. Shes a bute And thanks Crichton for the soap. I just got it in today and I cant wait to use it.

Yep... you got it.. Best tools make the best product. You don't have to have the best brush or soaps, but it surely is more enjoyable. My first straight shave took forty five minutes and I was exhausted afterwards (stress). I have been str8 shaving for a year and change and it seems like second nature and takes ten to fifteen minutes now. Its no longer a chore , but a brief respite in the early AM.. Perservere and reap the rewards.....

Martin

Congrats on the first shave!!! Glad to hear the soap got there OK. You may need more water if your lather is drying out.....it will probably take you a little while to get used to mixing up a good lather, but the better soap should help.