First shave - post-game

Ok so I got my Dubl Duck Goldedge (thanks rrp1501!), my C&E Best Badger, my kickass honeybee shave bowl (surprisingly they look like a matching set...) and samples of the C&E Nomad cream and the C&E Naturals cream. Also big thanks to gugi for all the advice in this process.

So my first try...I started on the left side WTG since I'm left dominant. I think I was too afraid so while I cleaned off the lather pretty well :p I shaved nothing. I was also a little off-put b/c I was using the Naturals cream and it didn't lather up very much at all...also my face felt like fire (if you like menthol good God try this stuff).

Second (and the actual real first) attempt: Used the whole sample of Nomad, since this was the appropriate amt. according to the wiki, also modified my hold on the razor based on the wiki.

First pass still a little nervous, don't think I stretched the skin well enough on this pass. Went really well on the left side on the second pass, felt much more confident and was actually taking off whiskers. Got a little dicey on the neck...definitely not a consistent result but at least I didn't cut myself (no real blood, just a superficial scratch) which was my most important concern.
My real problem was with the right side which I couldn't do worth a damn. I tried switching hands but that was a bad idea no soft control on the right hand; so I used the left hand but I felt like I was blocking my view :hmmm: I guess that will be an issue of practice. Got my chin and upper lip but definitely not close or well, just tried to get a feel.

Overall I felt successful given that the lather was definitely in line on the second go: thick and creamy, not runny but not sticky. Also, the shave on the left side felt as close as I would get with any other implement (i.e. w/o an ATG pass) and I got a feel for the right pressure level without cutting myself. So overall a pleasant and interesting first go at it.

Concerns:

My beard is thickest on the neck (if I grew a beard it would be a Jonathan Frakes neck beard hehe) so this may pose a difficult learning curve as I had a lot of trouble stretching the skin given the slickness of the cream / wet face. Also navigating the multiple growth patterns was tough.

Right side - not even sure how I will get this side shaved. I feel awkward reaching over with the left hand but right hand seems incapable of the soft motions necessary to not gouge myself.

Finally - afraid of stropping before my next shave b/c I don't want to screw my edge up....I wonder if someone in Boston would be willing to give a stropping lesson to a couple of newbs...:w

Congrats on the first shave. I am ambidextrose, but when I started I used only my left hand and had trouble seeing what I was doing. After time I think you just get a feel for the whole thing and go with it. Now I shave with both hands and just go back and forth depending on what works best for the spot I am on. I have seen some posts on using both hands and a lot of people just use one and make it work, I wanted to use both so I did. I think if you practice with the right it will become second nature just to use it as well.
Don't sweat your neck I am still learning how to stretch the skin there good. I got some spots on my neck that are just a pain to get close. With just about every shave I am getting a little better and a little closer just remember it takes time to learn.
Don't be scared to strop, you will need to learn at some point in time just use the wiki and take your time making sure the razor is flat and use a light touch just blade weight is good.
Well I wish you good luck and many great shaves in your future. :gl:

Thanks for the well wishes. I wish I was ambidextrous...would certainly be a lot easier.

I think it will get easier as I both develop the rather awkward hand positioning and the muscle memory necessary.

I haven't had time to take another crack since I am in the process of moving now but in a week I think I will be shaving with the straight more frequently.

In the meantime, I am curious if anyone has any inexpensive starter creams or soaps to recommend since the samples I got were utilized for that first go. I live in Boston so Colonial Drug is an option if there's something hard to find that I should check out; I thought about Proraso since Bigelow is right by my house but given my face scorching experience with the Menthol in C&E's Naturals cream I am not sure (anyone tried both and have an opinion of how menthol-y Proraso is?).

Sounds like a good first shot. You accomplished more than some would dare to try on their first straight shave. Keep working on the hand switching. Trust me, I am very dominant right handed and my left might as well be useless most of the time. I made myself slowly practice in the mirror one step at a time and now I cannot imagine not shaving with my left hand too. As far as the cream is concerned, the CO Bigelow at Bath and Body Works is basically Proraso I think. It is made by them and it is menthol so I pretty sure it is similar. You do get used to the facial fire and it doesn't burn like that anymore after 3-4 shaves with it. I thought my face was freezing the first time I shaved with it. You can also try Williams mug soap. It is available at CVS pharmacy and other drug store chains. It is less than par compared to other quality shaving soaps out there but it works, especially for under 2 bucks a puck. Anyway, happy shaving and stick with it! Jeremy-

Congrats on your first shave!!

I'm very not left handed and found that when I started with the right hand it was ok but when it was time to do the left part of my face the lather had dried a bit which made it even more difficult on the left..
Just keep trying to shave with your right hand and maybe relather the right side of your face as you switch hands. After a while you won't even notice you have switched hands..On my jaw I actually shave my right side with my left hand ATG (which goes from my ear to my chin) and the right side with my left hand.

If you make short strokes you can stretch your skin by placing your fingers on the patches you have just shaved..and move along as you shave..

Good luck and dont forget to have fun!

Maarten

good to hear you had a successful 1st try.
not sure about creams/soaps - you'll have to experiment to find what works for you. the william's mug soap is cheap, readily available and shouldn't cause you skin problems, it's an ok soap,not great or anything but i haven't used mine in a long time as well.
van der haagen soap is glycerin based and walmarts usually have it. it's also cheap and works ok for a lot of people.

Hm...ok I guess I will pick up the Williams and give it a shot. I figured I would just get something good and use it since they will last a while but the multiple recs for Williams I guess mean that I should try it. Worst case if I don't like it I can chuck it and be out $1 :)

I have really enjoyed the creams from Gentlemen's Quarter. They are relatively inexpensive. Gotta have a good brush though. They are pricier. Several really good ones advertised here on the site. Bill

congrats on the first shave with time you will improve if you force your non dominate hand to shave it will become second nature before long keep us posted :gl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sansnom

Hm...ok I guess I will pick up the Williams and give it a shot. I figured I would just get something good and use it since they will last a while but the multiple recs for Williams I guess mean that I should try it. Worst case if I don't like it I can chuck it and be out $1 :)

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Chances are you won't. ;)

One hint, though- Williams takes a little more effort to get the right lather. Let the puck soak a minute or so in warm water before hitting it with the brush. That seems to make all the difference in the world to me.

Enjoy!!!

EW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by omegapd

Chances are you won't. ;)

One hint, though- Williams takes a little more effort to get the right lather. Let the puck soak a minute or so in warm water before hitting it with the brush. That seems to make all the difference in the world to me.

Enjoy!!!

EW

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Hehe that's funny. I didn't end up buying the Williams because I went to Colonial Drug to see what all the hubbub was about. They gave me several samples of Castle Forbes....which is a bad idea for me to try given that I don't think I can afford that unless I splurge :) but I will give it a try and it may give me a benchmark for other creams if I decide to go cream instead of soap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wfr308

I have really enjoyed the creams from Gentlemen's Quarter. They are relatively inexpensive. Gotta have a good brush though. They are pricier. Several really good ones advertised here on the site. Bill

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I actually have a C&E Best Badger which I really like, it's a little scrubby but still very soft (to me). I tried clicking on the 'sampler' on their site and it goes to an error....I wonder if they're not offering the sampler pack to purchase anymore?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jszabo

congrats on the first shave with time you will improve if you force your non dominate hand to shave it will become second nature before long keep us posted :gl:

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Yeah it seems like this is the common recommendation (plus I get to gain a new skill with that right hand!) so I guess I will give it a try.

Thanks all!