Thread: How long does it take ....

Everybody here has given you some great input, but I would like to reiterate the baby steps.

I was fairly succesful with my first shave, only one or two weepers and nothing worse then I got with a standard razor, but I only shaved my cheeks and I only did a downward stroke.

I slowly added more and more of my face until after a couple weeks I tackled the full face shave. You learn how to handle your razor and how to approach different parts of your face. Straight razor shaving requires quite a few different strokes and hand-holds.

It is definitely worth the time it takes to learn the art for a multitude of reasons. I love it when people I don't know very well walk into my bathroom and are astonished by the fact I actually use one of these things regularly.

Just make sure you don't get proud once you do get the hang of it. The worse cut I ever had was four months after I had started using a straight. I was going too fast and I was using my round point Dovo. It sunk into my cheek like a spade in freshly turned earth. Don't let this be discouraging though; three years later and I am still shaving with a straight razor. For me it was even more encouraging because I realized that I was using something that could do a great deal of damage if not respected, just like using any other kind of tool.

Think of the blood spilled as a living sacrifice, necessary to appease the gods of this art, and allow you entrance to the holy of holies. Most if not all of us have made this offering.

In a more helpful vein, NC is a virtual hotbed of straight shavers. Beyond the Wiki and the gradual approach advocated earlier, try to get in touch with someone nearby who can demonstrate, observe you, and shepard you through the process. If no one else offers, I'd be happy to have you come down to SC (Florence) and spend an hour or two, or whatever it takes to get you started. There's a lot to learn. If you strop improperly, for example, you can take the edge of your new blade in seconds. Maybe you should plan on a whole morning.

Anyway, welcome to the congregation. PM me if you need me.

Helpful advice all around.

Using only downward strokes makes sense, but here's my problem: when I use only downward strokes, I don't manage to get a close shave. When I cut myself, it's on upward strokes. I've never gotten a clean shave with downward strokes with DE razors, cheap disposables, or Gilette Mach 57s either, but I'm really not getting close on downward strokes with the straight razor.

I do stretch my skin. Someone suggested it's mostly a matter of getting the right angle.

I'll work on downward strokes, with just a few razor holds, for now, and use a DE for the rest.

And yes, if there's any NC folks who want to give me tips, feel free to let me know!