Thread: My First Good Shave With A Straight

Okay, so this is what it's like! Third shave was the charm.

My first two shaves were "okay" and typical first shaves for a straight: no major bloodletting, but not much whisker removal, either. I was actually starting to think my razor was too dull. It's just a cheap "no-name" vintage straight I got on ebay that was supposed to be shave ready.

I actually emailed Lynn about getting it honed. The razor seemed to be pulling a bit on my second shave. Lynn responded and said no problem on the honing, but suggested I try it again and really concentrate on the angle and technique.

Just what the doctor ordered. My stropping is getting a little better, I think, and by paying close attention to my angles and taking my time, I was able to get a passable shave today without having to resort to a DE to finish. Yoo-hoo!!!

Now, my shave is still far from world class, but I am starting to get the hang of the angles and feel more confident in wielding the razor. Definitely feel like I turned a corner today.

Congrats! Now comes the fun part, buying several more razors. Kidding aside it is a good Idea to get a second razor for when you need to send one off to get honed you can still have one to shave with. Or for when you want to learn to hone you can have another to shave with!! Once again congrats and I hope the shaves just keep getting better!

Good stuff. How are you going with your chin? I seem to have trouble with the angles.

Originally Posted by Nickster

Good stuff. How are you going with your chin? I seem to have trouble with the angles.

Very carefully!

The chin does seem to be the hardest part to get the hang of due to the changing angles/rounded surface.

I've just been watching Lynn's DVD and other vids to try to get the gist of what to do.

Congratulations! Here's to more good shaves.

Best chin solution: Grow a goatee. It has worked just fine for me

It does keep getting better and better as your technique improves with practice. One of the main things I noticed is that the time it takes for me to get a good shave is substantially less and that is without rushing or shortcutting it. That and the realization that there is really no better way to shave. If I thought a DE was better I would be using one but it is not. Straight razors rule.

Congradulations! Now you have the hardest part out of the way. The journey begins. Pay attention to what doesn't work and change it, and realize that sometimes it takes more than 1 or 2 passes to complete the shave.

Good luck,


Ray

Originally Posted by Nickster

Good stuff. How are you going with your chin? I seem to have trouble with the angles.

Nick,

That avatar is hilarious.

Congrats! Be careful once you think you've got the hang of it. That's when the next round of cuts starts. Good luck.