Thread: First Shave...sorta

As a relatively new straight razor shaver (yes, I am officially declaring that here and now!), I've been using the straight razor for the past couple of months on and off (in the evenings or as I have ample time in the mornings). When I first started, I nicked myself several times--the stiptic pencil was a very wise investment in that regard--it stops the bleeding pronto. From the wise advice from this forum, I re-assessed my approach and decided to go with the grain at first until I got my technique down to the point that the blood stopped flowing. Being somewhat of a perfectionist and someone who takes pride in his work (not to mention downright stubborn as a mule sometimes--just ask my wife), I've never finished the shave with a safety razor; it was the straight razor all the way for me. I have always gotten a decent shave going with the grain and have started going across the grain as well. I'm almost to the point where I'll start breaking my teeth on the against the grain shave.

The nice aspect of straight razors is that if you take your time and focus, they are accurate enough to target a single hair for removal. This means that around the lips and edge of the chin, if you can get the right angle you can get any spot. I also have had a difficult time negotiating the chin area and have successfully overcome that by pulling the skin gently to get the hairs raised a little and also by re-applying some shaving cream/soap if the original application has dried or is not nice and creamy. I've switched between several shaving soaps and a cream I bought, and each has a different texture and result. I've found the cream is creamier ;0) than the soaps, which lets the blade glide over the face smoother than with the soaps. That may just be the specific cream I tried--the Jack Black brand.

Though I purchased three straight razors initially, I've stuck with the one I started out with, to be able to gauge how quickly the blade dulled (it was honed by Lynn and is still sharp as I strop it on plain linen strop then on the leather). I agree that when Lynn sharpens it, it is sharp enough to shave with and then some. I tried a hanging hair test at first and was afraid it was not sharp enough, but then a friend showed me the error of my ways--the test is not always accurate. The first shave I went with the grain, across and then against the grain--and had several nicks. I then went back to the basics as I mentioned above, and have seen a vast improvement in my technique without pushing it--I experimented with a couple of ways of holding the blade, switch hands, and the time needed to shave has decreased without my rushing it. I also have not had any nicks the past month or so, so I can attest that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I also put a little clock radio in the bathroom tuned to a classical music station, and that has a calming effect--it helps me focus on the shave and feel instead of what I need to do at work to put out any fires.

Didn't mean to ramble here, but stick with it and your technique can only improve. I read somewhere that it takes around 100 shaves to become proficient, but everyone is different, and it takes just a few to understand how the angle of the blade in relation to your face, how to maneuver your trouble areas, etc. affects the shave.

Cheers,
Mike F.