Need encouragement

Tell me it gets better than this. Like the recent thread, I'm in my third week of straight shaving, after using a DB and brush. Now I'm getting up a half hour earlier to shave. I'm going to work with embarassing cuts and nicks. All for a shave that's not as good as I get quicker and more comfortably with my DB. But I'm a hard headed SOB, so I persevere.

I sometimes take a last pass with my DB just to get the closeness I want.

I'm not asking for advice. There's plenty of good advice on this forum, and I've watched videos and read lots. Besides, no one can really help with specifics unless you see me strop and shave. Just please tell me that at some point I'll get a close shave without butchering my face.

You can do it! :rock: It will take patience and perseverance though. I'm sure you're assessing what might be going wrong and trying to change a variable at a time. Also, as I'm sure you've read - Let your face heal as best you can before proceeding. Do you have Lynn's DVD? It's worth it. You have the rest of your life to work on this, so take your time and you will get there. :gl:

Jordan

Its just a matter of time before you catch your rythm and its all going to fall in place, it might help if you go slower or stay away from the harder parts for a while , you might even want to drop it for a week, catch your breath and then go at it again.

there's nothing wrong with doing a touch up at the end with a DE ( you put DB which i was taking as double blade, same as DE or double edge?). i have had discouraging shaves many times, but soon enough you will have a great shave that will make it all worth it, plus it gives you something to aim towards.

one thing that has kept me going is i just remember, no matter what shape my face, how crazy the grain of my beard or how sensitive my skin is, there is someone else out there (and chances are on these forums) that has close to the same situation and can get a great shave, so there is no reason i can't get there.0

Good luck!
Wes

Sounds like my early days. It took so long I used to have to rinse and re-lather before I got through the first pass. I didn't have a truly shave ready razor when I first started and that made it harder.

I did use my slant DE to do my chin and mustache for the first two or three weeks as I began to develop the coordination between my eye looking at what I was doing and the razor in my hand. As Lynn says in the thread "Anticipation",getting the feeling of the razor on my face.

I also had learned the 'Multiple pass gradual stubble removal technique". Once I got past the first few weeks I got a couple of really shave ready razors and that made a great deal of difference. Pretty soon my shaves equaled the slant with a feather DE in closeness, smoothness and in time spent.

Read my sig line below to avoid nicks and hang tough. It does get better. :tu

Well, I'm right there with you. I can only tell you what I tell myself, that it WILL get better, and only if I keep at it. It's a hump to get over, and I had the same with a DE. Once we're over that initial hump, it's going to feel so good...

YES it will get better.. just be carefull, dont rush, dont do things you are not comfortable with. Finish off with the DE and dont forget to enjoy your shave.

YouTube - BC Lions - Vending Machine

Maarten

I have one suggestion - shave in the evenings. Then you're not rushed and don't have to worry about showing up with fresh wounds on your face. Stick with it and you'll be pleased and proud as you become more proficient.

stick with it! you will prevail! And don't hesitate to alternate between DE and Straights for a while if that eases the transition.

Hey, I've been using straights for 6 months and I still touch up with my Merkur twin. There are a few spots that not even my barber would touch when I had him give me a shave with my equipment. I just looked in the straight razor rules book and saw nothing in there forbidding you from backing away from those areas causing you the most problem. Work on those over the weekends, not on work days. That should take some of the stress away. Remember, this should be enjoyable and relaxing. If you have to, go back to basics and do the just the area between the sideburns and jawline, and WTG only. I also saw someone with some sage advice. If there is a question between close and comfortable he always chose comfort first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clrobert60

I have one suggestion - shave in the evenings. Then you're not rushed and don't have to worry about showing up with fresh wounds on your face. Stick with it and you'll be pleased and proud as you become more proficient.

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+1

Just do not do it too late when your systems are already shutting down. I cut the heck out of myself two nights ago... ;)

(two nicks :D )

My 2 cents may not be worth much, as I haven't used my proper straight yet, but I found the same things happening when I started out with my shavette. What worked for me, was to shave at night instead of in the morning. I could allow myself more time and care while starting out.

I've been using my shavette for a few months now, and although I still get some cuts here and there, I have been able to speed through a hasty morning shave when necessary.

As the others have said, have patience it'll come. Even if for the meanwhile you have to have a little stubble left, you will eventually get to BBS.

I started a couple of months ago. Since I have a full beard I just shave on the neck. However, that area was one of the most difficult for me to get close before I started using a straight razor. I just took it easy, didn't do it if I wasn't up to it, and I'm starting to get the feel. The thing that seems to make the biggest difference for me is to make sure my razor is sharp.
Steve

Many thanks to all who offered a word of encouragement. After reading your comments and personal experiences, I'm ready for another round. And if I do touch up with the DE (I mistakenly said DB in my post), I guess I'm not breaking any rules and will be less tempted to go after those last few mavricks with the straight, which is when I'm most likely to cut. Maybe in a few years I'll be encouraging a newbee, too. :)

dont tell anybody but I'm a newbee too.... :ziplip:

Maarten

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mlangstr

dont tell anybody but I'm a newbee too.... :ziplip:

Maarten

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we're all newbies ... this is a new moment .. a new breath .. most of our cells are new (especially all the cells on my face that I shaved off this morning ! --- so it's a NEW FACE !! )

I would also have to suggest starting slow and adding more more of the face. I started with my neck then added the cheeks then the mustache and bottom lip still have yet to shave the chin entirely but I just prefer how I look with at least a small goatee.... its tempting though.

Also YMMV but when I was first starting getting the hang of skin stretching was one of many things I had issues with...

And I'm pretty new also...

+1, I would definitely try shaving in the evening's when you have more time. Maybe even put on some music you enjoy. Take your time-!!!! If you have to use your other razor here & there don't sweat it. Go at your own pace.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mlangstr

dont tell anybody but I'm a newbee too.... :ziplip:

Maarten

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Ah Ha!:Dyeah well me too.
Dannyr

Like everyone says, don't fret about it. We've all been there. By the time I'd shower and shave I'd have been in the bathroom for fourty five minutes or so. Now I can hop in the shower and get a nice shave in twenty to twenty five.

In not too long cuts and nicks will be something that happens when you rush or forget to pay attention.

Oh and as for the cuts and nicks being embarassing... If you catch anyone looking at you strangely, just tell them that you happened to be trying to rush out the door while running a blade sharper than they could ever imagine over your face and throat. Just play it off like no big deal. It's what John Wayne would do. :P

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Originally Posted by Roadkill

Just please tell me that at some point I'll get a close shave without butchering my face.

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Will it get better? Yes!

Will it someday be perfect? Maybe.

I've been shaving for longer than I care to admit and there is no shaving implement made that will give me a perfect BBS shave. Due to the shape of my face and some deep pockmarks left over from childhood acne I can come close with a straight but never perfect...and to get close requires a lot of time and usually at least one nick.

Now having said that it's been a lot of fun over the years trying different soaps/cream/brushes/razors/techniques and that's really what it's all about. :gl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clrobert60

I have one suggestion - shave in the evenings. Then you're not rushed and don't have to worry about showing up with fresh wounds on your face. Stick with it and you'll be pleased and proud as you become more proficient.

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Agreed - I'm also have my own fits & starts with this, but I also think that the evening, post-shower shave allows more time for trial and error - though the Sat or Sun afternoon, weekend shave can't be beat.

Somehow, we'll get through this.... :D

Martin

I now shave in the evening because I have time to enjoy my shave then. Also, I'm not so obsessive about a BBS shave. Some days I'm BBS and some days I'm not. As I progress, I've noticed more and more BBS shaves, though. Relax, be patient, enjoy.