Thread: Should I shave with a straight every day whilst learning?

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Just keep it enjoyable!

FWIW, if it is enjoyable that is great and I don't disagree. OTOH, when I started it was frustrating. I felt uncoordinated. It took me so long to finish a shave the first half dozen complete shaves that the lather would dry up on one side before I could get to it and I had to rinse and re-lather mid shave.

I learned and got faster and it did become enjoyable but not for awhile in my case. So if it is a hassle don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Keep at it and before you know it there will be smooth shaving ahead.

I loved it right from the off. Even when i was leaking blood into my lather! There were times when i was hugely frustrated, but mostly i enjoyed it. I do see what you mean though Jimmy. I guess there can be times when you wonder if it's worth the effort when you start.

I started veeery slowly. I only used my straights only on weekends, needing to look neat at work and not being a fan of blood transfusions...

I would do the sides of my face and neck, finishing the upper lip and the toughest spot, the chin, with a DE.

Soon I was able to do the whole first pass with the straight, but I would still finish with the DE for closeness.

With time and practice, I got to a BBS shave with the straight only. It takes longer than the DE but beats any other shave I have ever had. (Gorgeous thinks so too, and her opinion counts big time.)

I find the straight does a better job on the upper lip near the nose, once I learned how to do the coup d'maitre (? spelling on that one).

I plan to make every shave a straight razor shave, and devote that little bit of extra time in the morning to the ritual.

Originally Posted by Bruno

My advice: do whatever you are comfortable with.

There is a lot of good advice here, but I like this one best.

Only thing I would add is to expect to look a little funny for the first, oh, 50 or so shaves. And don't be surprised if you have a permanent scar or two.

Alllllll worth it.

Once I got my first straight I just started using it every day. I got a small amount of irritation as I learnt but that passes pretty quickly after a week or so.

Now I use the straight exclusively unless I totally oversleep in the morning, in which case I break out my trusty DE Merkur. That only happens about once a month though..!

Originally Posted by Bruno

My advice: do whatever you are comfortable with.

I concur. Frankly, I think this is what we all do (or should do) anyway. When I started I just went full on, WTG and ATG all over. Missed out every other day etc etc. It worked for me. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it for anyone else. Did I mention that my first blade was not shave ready? The last is the one thing I would not not recommend.

Thanks for the info guys.

As it turns out, it looks like I'm a weekend/evening straight razor shaver anyway- I can't manage a straight shave in the time required before work, and it's NOT something I want to rush!

Give it time friend. My shave with an improper straight was an hour long bloodbath. Getting a proper straight helped & gave me the best shave I had had up to that point. I went for the throat & gave my Muck3 the send off it deserved (ie the bin) & have never looked back. Since then I have gotten quicker & better every time. I can do a 2 pass BBS in 12 1/2 minutes now, including lathering. Blood is your ally, it tells you have much to learn still.

Enjoy your shaves & it will come.

My first week of shaving wasn't very good, so I bought a good used shave ready razor from the SRP classifieds and I had the best shave I have ever had. I really learned the difference between factory shave ready and SRP shave ready.