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I'm having pretty good results for a newbie (after the first bloodbath!), and am getting away with minimum razor burn, and only a few small nicks.
Obviously I want to learn as quickly as possible, but I wonder if shaving every day with a straight with my less than perfect technique is a problem?
What is the general consensus- shave with a straight and then give your face a few days of DE to recover before the next one, or just man up and push on?
Here is Lynn Abrams on beginning to shave with a straight razor. I followed that routine more of less for my first couple of weeks of shaving daily with a straight and finishing with a DE. I gradually got all of my shave area with the straight and put the DE away and haven't touched it since. The only way to develop technique is to practice.
If you want to avoid nicks and cuts read my sig below and follow the advice.... works for me when I follow it.
I just started using a straight about 2 weeks ago and I had similar issues. Since i didn't ever destroy my face too badly, I basically gave it a go with the straight razor every other day, with no shave on the off day. It helped me learn pretty quickly without tearing apart my face.
Everyday for me since day 1, never had a serious mis-hap, altho I do wear a moustache, soul patch and Goatie combo so its easier (far easier) than a full face shave, TBH the facial hair I wear is constantly under threat, Man I just dont have enough face to shave!!...lol
Good luck, stick with it, and welcome to the only real way to Shave
i wouldn't 'push' anything. if you are getting good results keep at it and you'll be getting better. if you are not getting very good results try to change one thing at a time. if your face doesn't like it, stop and try again after it recovers.
I started VERY slowly and I am glad I did. No rush...
Begin shaving with the straight where you are confortable. Then finish with the DE.
I constantly evaluated what I was doing and made mental notes of what I wanted to do differently next time. A kind of trial and error along with a lot of good advice from the Forum members.
Now I am only shaving with my straight and I love every shave!
Enjoy!
:beer1:
I dove right in, and stuck with it. Touched up with a DE, but shaved with straights exclusively. Not for the weak of heart, but if you're getting good results already, why not?
I started about six month ago and have built on what I was comfortable with. I am just now getting the ATG pass on the nick down. This site is a great place to learn the guys here are great with the help. Just go slow and stay with it you will be fine. And don't be afraid to ask questions on need for help and this site. Good luck:)
When i started, i decided the best way to pick it up would be to rely on it. I shaved only with a straight. If i'd messed up & my skin needed a break, i was in a position to just not shave. If your skin's finding it hard to adapt, there's no problem with easing into it a little more though. Maybe use a DE when you're pushed for time or sore. Just keep it enjoyable!
My advice: do whatever you are comfortable with.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ben.mid
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
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. :D
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..!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
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.