Thread: First Straight razor shave....oh dear

You could practice different grips and manoeuvres with an empty shavette.

Break out the Bacatracin..... or triple anti biotic ointment....Or UK equivalant....

have whacked a bit of germoline with local anithsetic n there for good measure

That one's close to the jugular! I've been str8 razor shaving for going on 6 months and I want to say it was at least a month or two before I started shaving with my left hand. I feel like that was a good move on my part because I felt a lot more comfortable using my left hand for the first time. My very first time to use the str8, I only shaved my right cheek and finished up with the disposable. I kept doing this but would move to a different area of my face. After about 2 weeks, I finally did a complete shave, all with my right hand. When I did finally try shaving with my left, I think I wasn't so nervous trying to concentrate on everything else (blade angle, grip, etc.) that it allowed me to focus my attention to just using my left hand.

Another piece of advice is make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to shave. My first couple of weeks of doing a complete shave probably took me 15 to 20 minutes each time. If I was in a rush, I shaved with the disposable. I've grown to enjoy shaving with the str8 so much, that I've started waking up earlier so I have plenty of time.

I know this sounds kind of wierd, but shaving with a str8 has kind of been a life changing experience for me. By waking up earlier and leaving more time in the morning, I'm not starting out the day in such a rush and feel more relaxed throughout the day.

Wow, that doesn't look good.
I think i'll take someones advice and practice with a butter knife before I get mine.

You know, until a minute ago I took for granted my ability to use my left hand pretty quickly. I played the drums throughout middle and high school... Maybe that's why? I do a better job with my right, for sure, but my left isn't all that far behind.

When you first start playing the snare drum you have these rudiments that force you to use both hands, so maybe Chief's idea of brushing with your left can get your skill up to par.

Owch man... That looks painful... I rarely use my left hand... I can usually find an easy angle to shave with my right hand.. The one spot that I, every now and then, go with my left hand on, is my left sideburn, but usually I jusg to righty the whole way... Works for me... Learning lefty put my styptic through it's paces :P

Kirky ,you clod! It was your first shave,why were you shaving your neck at all? And even given that it was going well,and you "Just went for it", why was your blade vertical at that point? The top of the slice is about where my goatee ends,and I go "north and south" with my strokes in that area on my first pass.

That being said......



Sorry you got an "ouchie"

It feels weird in both hands when you start - but weirder in your non-dominant hand.

Although it is fine to use just your dominant hand, a lot of us do use both.

Take your time, don't rush things - maybe just do the cheeks first time, stop and introduce other sections as you get more comfortable.

Take your time - don't need to do it all the first time. Get used to the blade.

You can practice sitting around with the razor, just getting used to holding it in both hands (if that doesn't alarm any family members).

Dry run with butter knife - can try working out strokes / passes with a butter knife before actually using the razor.

With practice, your hands do get used to using the razor - and did I say take your time?

Just a few thoughts.
Enjoy the journey,
Michael.

Stay away from the neck. Start with cheeks and side burns.