Thread: First try advice

I am awaiting the arrival of my shave ready razor and strop. From the research I have done I am not expecting my initial attempts to result in the BBS shaves I now get from my DE, and that it is generally inadvisable to even attemp ATG until technique is refined. How about WTG and XTG, then ATG with the DE? My goal has always been to get the closest possible shave comfortably and without too much damage. I amfinally able to achieve fairly consistent results with the DE and am ready for the challenge ot the str8, with the ultimate ggoal being a BBS shave without cheating. So, is there anything wrong with finishing up with a DE?

First off, I'll get this out of the way:

Nothing in the world wrong with finishing up with a DE or a Mach 3 or even an electric. While you're learning, you're learning! You finish up with what you are most comfortable with...

That said, I got almost everywhere BBS on my first straight shave and I went ATG - though I have a goatee so I skip some harder areas... As has been said elsewhere, prep is hugely important as well as technique and having that sharp razor.

HTH (Hope That Helps)!

Really I would advise doing one WTG, if all goes well then I would try XTG, if all still goes well, why not a ATG. Possible yes, probable, no. Straights are different than DE's, they require a whole new set of skills . IMO start with a WTG straight shave and wherever and whenever you feel your in over your head use the DE, no need to be excessively proud or stubborn. If you cannot enjoy it and learn at your own pace it will not feel like its worth doing.Good luck.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Really I would advise doing one WTG, if all goes well then I would try XTG, if all still goes well, why not a ATG. Possible yes, probable, no. Straights are different than DE's, they require a whole new set of skills . IMO start with a WTG straight shave and wherever and whenever you feel your in over your head use the DE, no need to be excessively proud or stubborn. If you cannot enjoy it and learn at your own pace it will not feel like its worth doing.Good luck.

+1 on this. Take it at your own pace. Had I been more informed when I started I would have done WTG only, and finished with my other razor. Start slow, and do what feels right.

Work out a technique that works for those difficult areas one at a time and build gradually up to that complete BBS shave.

This is really a YMMV thing so we don't know how quickly you will take to this but for general advice I would say initially just do a WTG down the sides of your face and on the chin and thats it. When you are really comfortable with that then do WTG on your neck and when your comfortable with that try some XTG strokes. Just progress at your own pace. Finish up with whatever else you have handy.

Oh, and don't forget the autologus blood donation.

Sorry to say but its a personal thing...I went WTG and ATG my first shave, and it was one the best shaves Ive ever had! (but then again i have a weak girly wanna-be beard) I wish you the best of luck, just dont rush and youll be fine.

As others have said, this is a very personal thing. Do what is comfortable during the learning process. Finish with a DE until you get your technique refined.

You probably already know this since you shave with a DE, but make sure that you really know the growth pattern of your beard on your face. Some will shave N-S on the neck thinking this is a WTG pass and it could be a XTG pass depending on the individual.