Shaving Epiphany!

So I'm new at this, and have been getting progressively more discouraged. I've been shaving with a straight for about two weeks. In that time, I managed a ton of nicks and one relatively impressive slice. That last one laughed at the styptic I tried to use to stop the bleeding, but I figure that's ok, because I've heard that chicks dig scars. . .

I sent off some razors to be honed (thanks, Lynn!) and they came back scary sharp. Still, though, I couldn't get a decent shave. I worked on my technique, trying to get just the right angle of attack, just the right pressure, etc. I worked on my lather, trying to make uberlather like is shown in the videos. Ultimately, I would end each session thinking I should touch up a few areas with my gillette fission and its 5 uniformly dull blades.

Until this morning.

This morning I spent a bit more time thinking about beard prep. I shave in the morning, just after showering. This morning, I washed the face twice in the shower. Without drying off, I immediately threw a hot towel on my face. Then I lathered my face, and stropped the razor I planned to use. After stropping a bit, I refreshed my hot towel and again applied it to my face, relathered, and presto - a great shave. This morning there was no skin irritation, no pulling of the hairs, it just clicked.

I'm hooked. Thanks to all at SRP for helping make this happen.

Brian

Congrats. See, all that talk here on how important beard prep is had some meaning. Hope the other newbies read this post and follow your lead.

Thanks for posting this thread and helping the others.

Good luck on future shaves. It takes a while but as you have noticed, the rewards are great.

It's easy to underestimate the importance of prep when you're getting started. Glad you've understood it before giving up!
Hair conditioner works wonders too. Apply it for a few minutes & let it work while you make a lather or whatever. Rinse it off, then lather up! Give it a try & see how you like it.

I've ALWAYS gotten a better shave when I shower and take the time to prep my face for the shave. At times when I feel lazy and just wash my face in the sink and shave I never get as good of a shave. Beard prep is one of the most important elements in shaving. Glad you discovered that early in the game. :tu

Sounds like a lot of work.

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Originally Posted by ben.mid

It's easy to underestimate the importance of prep when you're getting started. Glad you've understood it before giving up!
Hair conditioner works wonders too. Apply it for a few minutes & let it work while you make a lather or whatever. Rinse it off, then lather up! Give it a try & see how you like it.

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Amen on the hair conditioner. I tried that for the first time last night (my 3rd shave ever) along with a little olive oil as a pre-shave. Wow, what a difference...

I couldn't believe that an XTG pass with a straight razor would deliver better closeness than a disposable multi-blade, but it did. And it was a heck of a lot more comfortable too.

Beard prep is the key...

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Originally Posted by mparker762

Sounds like a lot of work.

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Surely, you're joking, Dr. Feynman! :D
Well, it is a lot of work, and if you're lucky to have a pretty soft beard anyway, don't bother. But if you have a really tough beard, it's worth every one of those extra 5-7 minutes to get a good and smooth but comfortable shave.

A hot towel makes all the world of difference for me too! I am glad you found it and you're using it to good effect!

Those nicks and slices come mostly from not setting the razor down evenly and dragging it across when lifting it or setting it down. Also, a loose grip and a little pressure go a long way with the whiskers and will save you a lot of blood, lol. That has been the case for me anyway.

I've been taking baby steps toward shaving my whole face and I am starting to agree with you. This morning after spending a fair amount of time scraping away on my right side, I found that the left side shaved right off--I'm pretty sure it's because that side had lather on it longer.

I haven't used the hot towel yet, but it sounds like I need to give it a try.

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Originally Posted by netlevi

I've been taking baby steps toward shaving my whole face and I am starting to agree with you. This morning after spending a fair amount of time scraping away on my right side, I found that the left side shaved right off--I'm pretty sure it's because that side had lather on it longer.

I haven't used the hot towel yet, but it sounds like I need to give it a try.

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I've also found that getting the right moisture level in the lather makes a big difference, too-- there is a fine line between lather that is too dry and lather that is too runny...

-Chief

Congrats on the first great shave, hopefully one of many. It sounds like you're on the right track for success. Keep it up and enjoy!

Read your post thinking "there went I." Many of us had tough starts...then came the epiphany. Great, huh? Glad it came together for you. Bet you can't wait to get up and shave tomorrow!

Best...
J

Congrats on your epiphany! It only gets better from here. :rock:

Having now expernienced a good result for a few days, the confidence is building. This morning I did the whole face (except chin - where I don't currently shave). It isn't BBS, but it also isn't cut and is at least as good a shave as I would get with my old fission.

Even better, this morning was with a new Dovo that I honed myself on my Norton 4000/8000. It doesn't feel as sharp as the blades that Lynn did for me, but it still worked well.

Suddenly, the routine that I used to dread every morning is now something to look forward to.

Good stuff, I can remember the sense of progress. It comes pretty naturally, which is a bonus.

Please remember that this differs based on the individual. For me the towel would not have made a darn bit of difference and washing my face several times would just take time and not made any difference. You must have a heavier beard thatn I do.

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Originally Posted by mparker762

Sounds like a lot of work.

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Well, as pointed out by multiple posters lately (myself included) there is a lot that we do, that amounts to a lot of extra work, sometimes to the point of being foppish or silly, but that's not always a bad thing.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't mind if some part of my shave is silly or foppish or a lot more work than a Mach3.

Now, if you want a really great beard prep that is WAY less work, you could try my method. ("Mine" as in the method I use, not as in a method I created. I'm not that clever)

What I do, is build up some quick nice hot lather before I even get my razor out. Then I leave it sitting on my face while I strop, and then reapply the lather. (actually I just get some more hot water on my brush and refresh what's already on my face, since I face-lather, but that's a separate discussion)

You get just as much moisture as a hot towel, less heat, but still plenty if you have a way to make really hot lather like a very hot scuttle, and I find that the soap also softens the beard if it has a little time to sit.

I've heard of barbers putting the hot towel on over a good layer of lather, and I can imagine that you'd get even better results that way, but my way works very well for me, and is a lot easier.