Thread: First Shave

thanks to everyone for the pearls of wisdom here and there.....all great advice!! I have been taking it SLOW but followed all the tips you guys offered, step by step.

Today was the best shave though...everything seemed to come together. I am no longer uncomfortable holding the blade. Sideburns, cheek area and jaw area and neck on both sides I get with no heart pounding pulse!! Managed the jaw, as instructed, by pulling up the skin. What a feeling of simple accomplishment when I let the skin go and the whiskers and shaving cream below the jaw line were gone.

The razor feels comfortable but I want to make sure I don't get overconfident so ...I never rush and only do it two times a week. Haven't attempted any of the "Hard" areas but I am not ready yet, or at least in my head not ready. I want to give it a bit more time

Welcome! Two months in and I feel quite confident now as the shaving habit has become a practised routine. I'm sure you will too. The advice here is beyond compare and I have spent many an hour poring over the wisdom.

One thing that forced me to develop a left-handed technique (which took my shaving to the next level) was to practice less-risky chores with the left hand (ooerrr) - so I took to brushing my teeth as a leftie.

Interesting to gauge development in this way, as that technique is coming along and I understand why I have to take great care in l.h. shaving until my brain gets connected to the muscles. I have to consciously pause, adjust angle of attack and measure the stroke carefully if I'm at all 'not on the case'.

If there is any hint of a shaky hand, it's time to readjust or try another technique before doing any damage.

Amongst the other pearls of wisdom was the advice that I studied the direction of my beard growth - useful, as I was quite surprised to find that my neck whiskers grow 'uphill'. I had of course been shaving against the grain for the first pass and wondered what was wrong! There are many other gems of guidance like that.

I would advise utmost patience - all the pieces of the jigsaw are here - you have to put them together. It doesn't matter if the puzzle takes shape over a good many days, it will happen. I found that a good investment of time in research here has laid a good foundation. See, there's even a corner especially for us Newbs.

Good luck!

thanks...working on it....I am actually left-handed though and somewhat amidextrose. My issue is not comfortable doing the chin or lip yet.

Don't worry about the chin or lip yet, it will come . Although it does come down to personal preferrence, I found it much easier to learn with shave with both hands (i.e. shave left side of my face with left hand, and right with right) from the beginning. It's really awkward using the wrong hand at first, but it pays off, and makes skin stretching a lot easier. But as you said, you're a bit ambidexdrose, so you should have a leg up on it!