Thread: Another First Shave

Shaving with a astraight does NOT feel like shaveng with anything else. I can not say it feels sharper just different. I would assume that you are correct that you need to work on technique. First thing I would sugest is angle. most people recomend about a 30 degree angle. this woud mean that the edge is touching your face and the spine is about half a blade width away. then nice slow movments. Next I would remind you light presure. the straight is much longer then your old diposable, therefor it contacts more face at once. If you push you will seejust how round your face is, or was.

Last bit of advice, KEEP TRYING. It will not happen overnight, but eventuly a straight save will be second nature.

Welcome to the dark side Chander! Bryan has given you some great advice. Keep trying and be patient. The mechanics or muscle memory or whatever you want to call it takes time to develop. Keep the fundamentals in mind and keep working at it. Be careful with your stropping too. Please report back as you progress.

Jordan

Yes, I suspect as your technique and stropping improve and you get more familiar with the process your experience will improve quite a bit using the same exact razor.
Keep us posted.

What everyone has already said is great advice. All I have to add is that comparing the sharpness of a disposable to a straight is irrelevant. What you really want to compare is the closeness of the shave. Without a doubt everyone here will tell you straights win hands down. Of course the closeness of your shave will improve with your proficiency with your razor (finding the angle that best suits you, etc.), as well as your face and beard getting used to that type of shaving, which is surprisingly important.

I originally shaved with a single bladed disposable or with my dad's electric then switched to straights 3 years ago. I remember that when I started the straights felt a bit different, but I didn't shave that often anyway so I didn't think much of it. I was on a fishing trip last week and shaved just once with my dad's electric and I couldn't believe how different it felt from when I used to use it. The hair felt like it was being pulled out of my face so I asked my dad if his shaver was wearing out. He said it was still working just like new. That was the first time I realized how much your face and hair change after shaving with a straight for a long period of time. I honestly believe that your face adapts to what ever type of stress (shaving) it is continually subject to and I'm sure I'm not alone here. Anyway keep up the shaving and maybe one day you'll agree with me and tell a new shaver the same advice.