Thread: I have a chance to try a straight.

Thanks to every one who took the time to post.

Sunday moring wiil be the big day! Should I do anything different to prep for a straight than I do for a DE?

Originally Posted by oldfat1

... Should I do anything different to prep for a straight than I do for a DE?

That depends on how you prep your DE shaves... do you already use a brush and soap?

Use a hot towel for several minutes. A brush and most any cake soap, or brushless cream, is better than canned goo. (Ivory soap beats canned goo)

If you don't have a brush yet: Many chain stores (Walgreens, CVS, WallyMart...) carry an inexpensive boar brush and Williams or Van Der Hagen cakes.

Is that a young Pekingese in your avatar?

Hi Steven.

I dont use a hot towel. I can if you think I should.

I had in mind. Wash face with "Clean and Clear oil free face wash". "Mama Bears, Bay Rum" soap. Vintage "Mohawk" badger brush. "Royall Bay Rhum" aftershave.
As an edit, I will probably need my "Clubman" styptic pencil.

I saw the hot towel in some of the things and not in others. Do you reccomend it?

BTW- half Pek , half Lhasa Apso.

I like to use a hot towel even after my shower. If there is no shower, there is no shave for me.

The hot towel can make a really noticeable difference for many folks. I usually shave before the shower because I think the natural oils on my face help a little (I have oily skin). Think positive, surely you won't need that styptic pencil until the 5th or 6th shave?

I'd recommend the hot towel for 3-4 minutes for your first shave or 3. Try it without later to compare the difference.

Sometimes I'll hot towel twice, like so: 3 minutes hot towel, lather face, strop, coupla' minutes hot towel again, lather face again, shave. I sometimes just use the hot towel before the first face lathering, but always lather twice. Just experiment a lot and you'll find what works the best for you, that's the fun part of shaving with a straight.

I'm gonna' try shaving after my shower now, too.

Cute dog.

Originally Posted by oldfat1

I dont use a hot towel. I can if you think I should.

Oh, definitely try the hot towel. I must warn you, though, it is addicting. I like to use a hot towel before I lather, shave, use another hot towel, splash on cold water, then after shave. Some folks like to hot towel, lather, 2nd hot towel over the lather, re-lather, shave. The hot towel adds a new dimension; it really improves the shave.

Now if I could only fit a LazyBoy into my bathroom so I could really enjoy my hot towel.

Dave

Don't worry after the plastic surgery everything can be right as rain and they can even sew ear lobs back on. Besides women love scars.

Actually all kidding aside when I shaved for the first time I went too slow and was probably too careful for my own good. No cuts just massive razor burn. Like everyone else just keep working at it and you'll be shaving like a pro in short order.

Like the good people said - do it! At your own pace

I wasn't scared - I was very excited

My first shave went... well, it depends how you look at it. Some might consider it terrible. Others, including myself - a success, even if not optimal.

Don't remember how long it took me to master - it definitely was not something short and easy-peasy...

Cheers
Ivo

I don't know if this will be helpful or not. If you are nevous about putting the straight to your face try using it somewere else. I'm not joking some people get shaky about putting a sharp edge to thier neck. What I mean is try shaving your chest or shins. this will give you an idea of how smoothly a straight will feel. You will also learn not to slide the blade sideways on a body part not readily veiwed. So at work the next day they wont ask what the hell happened.One other thing. We've heard this all our lives. Respect the blade and it will respect you. Good luck and happy shaving.

If you have looked at Lynn's CD and follow the suggestions, you will do fine.
Just go for it and take your time. Really, don't rush it!!! Shave your cheeks until you are comfortable with the angle, pressure (or lack thereof) and stroke. You will love it once you get started.