Intimitating

So I got my razor from Gugi today and just want to say that it is in breathtaking shape, I would almost guess it was a brand new razor if I didn't know otherwise. Here is the link to the pics:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/buy-s...ius-spike.html

Anyway after getting the razor I'm actually a little nervous to try shaving. I stropped it and have the brush and soap, now I just have to work up the courage to shave with this big super sharp blade. I'm going to have to watch some videos on here and try to pick up some technique. I've decided today would be good for the first shave, I have around three days beard that needs removing, so I'll give it a try, I'm just really nervous that I will cut my head off or something. :)

It can be nerve-wracking to actually put sucha sharp (and bare!) blade next to your skin.

For my first straight shave my hands were shaky and I was sweating. I just did my cheeks and finished with the DE. Now it is no big deal. Definitely something to take at your own speed.

Scott

Nahh. Just start hackin', how else you gonna learn?


Just kidding of course. I think after the first couple passes you'll get more confidence. The biggest step is learning that the straight doesn't want to cut you as bad as you think it does. Stay away from longitudinal slicing motions or carelessly placing the razor edge first on your face, and you should be fine.


John P.

While it takes some time to become proficient with all aspects of shaving this way and maintaining your gear, you'll probably find the razor becomes less intimidating quite quickly. Prior to shaving this way I never thought I'd be most comfortable with straight edge razors. I'm to that point. DE's actually make me nervous now!! Shaving with a straight razor is relaxing to me and feels natural to me.

Chris L

NAHHH.....You won't cut your head off.....that would take a much longer blade! Just watch a few videos and read up on the topic, make sure your razor's deathly sharp, prep/lather up well, relax and start on your cheeks. This is the easiest place to shave. You need to respect the blade and be careful--OF COURSE---but you also need to just relax and concentrate on the feedback the blade is giving you at different angles, etc. If you go into this paralyzed with fear, it will really inhibit progress. Once you get over the initial fear or anxiety you'll start to make real progress. In my experience, with a blade this sharp, you probably won't even feel any cuts you get! Just keep your styptic pencil handy and go for it-----you'll probably survive and even enjoy it. I've only got a few straight shaves under my belt, but so far I'm really enjoying it and learning a lot. By FAR the hardest thing is the chin----you read this often and I agree completely.

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Originally Posted by beezaur

It can be nerve-wracking to actually put sucha sharp (and bare!) blade next to your skin.

For my first straight shave my hands were shaky and I was sweating. I just did my cheeks and finished with the DE. Now it is no big deal. Definitely something to take at your own speed.

Scott

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I agree. Do the easy parts first and graduate to the trickier parts only after becoming confident with your grip, angle, pressure and stroke.

You got yourself a nice razor, I hope you'll enjoy your shave. Just three pieces of advice from a beginner:

1) if you feel that you are having too much feedback from your straight when shaving, maybe try to shave your three days beard with your usual razor, and shave the next morning with the straight (with less whiskers it will be easier to shave)

2) be careful with the point of the blade: the first time I shaved with a French point I nicked my ear (not badly, but enough to remember to watch the point of the blade, it is not as easy as with a round point)

3) do only two passes: WTG and XTG (or WTG) and try the ATG after but don't hesitate to use your usual razor if this is uncomfortable. The whole point when you are beginning is to have a comfortable shave you can enjoy, not a bad time torturing your face.

Only my 2 cents but hope it will help

Gugi da man!
Great deal you got. Enjoy the learning curve and take it slow.

Thanks for the replys guys! I did my first shave that night and cut myself a lot, mostly nervous and not prepping enough. My second shave I did yesterday with only a day's growth and it was far better. I only cut myself once on the stupid chin :) I have a Clauss razor coming from Cobo and I won a Henckels stainless one on ebay today. I need to buy a hone though and maybe a better strop.

Yea man i totally hear ya, I got through my first shave yesterday and I didn't think about it being intimidating till a put the blade up to my face and then my heart just started racing and I was like "holy sh*t" am I really going to shave with this? lol But all was good, the first couple were kinda sketchy but you'll get the hang of it and man what a freakin smooth shave.

PS- totally made me feel like a man shaving with it lol :D

I have to agree with what has been said earlier re DE razors.

I was in a rush this morning and pulled out my Merkur Vision for the first time in 2 months. It made me nervous. I actually feel more comfortable with a str8 now and the whole experience is far more enjoyable too. ;)

I'm not usually the macho or risk-taker type, but part of the attraction to straights was the perceived 'danger'. My first couple of shaves I was sweating bullets. I remember coming out of the bathroom after an hour, walking into the kitchen where my wife was, feeling as if I'd just come home from war or sky diving or some life threatening activity.

Two months in I still ocassionally forget to breathe while shaving a tricky spot, but the fear factor is much less ... except when I'm doing beneath my jaw, with the blade millimeters from my artery. Then I get that pseudo 'brush with death' thrill that reminds me of my own morality and makes me feel more alive.

Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit.

I'm on shave #3 now and I'm pretty comfortable with it now. I got my Clauss from Cobo today and decided to try that out. It has a spike as well, but it is more rounded so I managed to not cut myself. The Clauss came nice and sharp and I just stropped it a little before the shave. My face feels like $1000000 now and I'm happy with the straight shaving. I won a Henckels Fridour off ebay, so now I will have a stainless blade to play with as well.

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Originally Posted by Swink

... except when I'm doing beneath my jaw, with the blade millimeters from my artery. Then I get that pseudo 'brush with death' thrill that reminds me of my own morality and makes me feel more alive.

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HOLY CRAP I totally never thought of that!!! Now I'll never shave with a straight again... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: pff just kidding - I never really worried about cutting 'deep' just shaving my skin OFF... and I did that on my adams apple but w/e it's all in learning.

oh and honestly it didnt hurt... not until it starts bleeding... it's so sharp the cutting never hurts :)

I love shaving with my straight, I'd shave twice a day with it but I have nothing to shave!

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Originally Posted by FLYBYU44

I'm on shave #3 now and I'm pretty comfortable with it now. I got my Clauss from Cobo today and decided to try that out. It has a spike as well, but it is more rounded so I managed to not cut myself. The Clauss came nice and sharp and I just stropped it a little before the shave. My face feels like $1000000 now and I'm happy with the straight shaving. I won a Henckels Fridour off ebay, so now I will have a stainless blade to play with as well.

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Very nice :)
Clauss is very nice brand - the ones I've had I found the edge stiffer than the one on the KB. And the friodurs certainly don't need any good words :)

Thanks for the kind words about my hone job. :)

I hope you're happy with the Clauss :)