Thread: Am I being over ambitious

hello SRP. Thank you again for the warm welcome.

I'm about 5 or 6 shaves into it already, and unfortunately, I found this wonderful information resource, after I found a 5 dollar disposable blade shavette.

Being bullheaded, and not having known all that I do now, I started with a full face shave (WTG and ATG) right from the start.

As expected, I was cut all to heck and razor burned up the wazoo. I'm happy to say that my technique has gotten better, and the shave has become more comfortable.

I'm wondering though, should I go back and start from sqaure one by shaving sections of my face as recommended, or push onward in the same fashion I have been.

any and all advice would be greatly appreciated

I started the same way, before I found this wonderful place. I just pushed on through, following the rest of the advice.
If you want to go back and start over, the way Lynn and the others suggest, that is up to you.
Either way, whatever you do, make sure it is comfortable and does not hurt, if it hurts, it's wrong.

Welcome, and

In for a penny, in for a pound; if you ask me. Some guys don't heed that good advice of doing just a section at a time and dive right in to full face. They sometimes butcher their face like you did, they sometimes get away with it. I think (but not sure) the advice of a section at a time is to prevent cutting up your face (which you already experienced and got past).

If you already got to the point that you are getting comfortable shaves, I'd say just keep practicing and don't worry about going back to square one.

I'd probably work on the cheeks, wtg and maybe atg; not a hard area to work on. I'd suggest going slowly assuring that you have plenty of time with no distractions. If it goes well, start on another section, but stop when your confidence tanks and things start to get rough.

The learning curve is steep; you will be surprised how it will fall into place rather quickly. Working on your cheeks and getting good shaves there will make you more prepared to hit the more difficult areas. The skills transfer.

Another reason to lay off some areas is that you won't get good feedback because it will hurt even if your doing well. Hard to tell what your doing when your face is already red and burning! Feedback is critical.

This method worked for me. I was full face shaving in a few weeks. But there is no ONE WAY here. Viva la diference.

Best to you, Jim

I started a section at a time, and when I get into trouble I back up and work on the problem sections slowly. I might even finish off with a DE razor.

It takes time to get it all right, or even close to right. IMHO you're not a failure if you back up to a DE so you can concentrate on certain areas of your face. I've even pulled out an electric to get around sections that I've butchered for one reason or another.

I did the same thing and tried to shave the whole face on my first try. I wasn't getting BBS results due to the technique and my face felt roughed up along with a few small cuts.

The upside was that I knew how the razor felt all over my face and I wasn't afraid to do so again. The downside was that I was at the bottom of the learning curve and needed some better shaving tools.

I would recommend just doing the sides of the face and getting very good results so you know what it feels like. Then venture another step, then another. There is so much on SRP to help you with your next step of Straight Shaving.

Good Prep, good shaving soap, and a good brush go a long way. I used my M3 to clean up each shave while learning. Each shave got progressively better and the M3 was being used less and less.

However, I think this initial experience will help you move up the learning curve a little faster as there is no substitute for experience and learning from experience.

Welcome to SRP and straight shaving!

Pabster

If there are parts of your face that are easy for you now, I would keep doing those parts. Then on those harder spots, break them down and work on the angles a little at a time until they become comfortable. You might also want to do a face map and use your index finger to imitate the strokes with the razor before laying razor to skin and practice from there.

Keep us posted.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

If there are parts of your face that are easy for you now, I would keep doing those parts. Then on those harder spots, break them down and work on the angles a little at a time until they become comfortable. You might also want to do a face map and use your index finger to imitate the strokes with the razor before laying razor to skin and practice from there.

"Mmm, yes. To Obiwan you listen".

Originally Posted by freyguy

Being bullheaded, and not having known all that I do now, I started with a full face shave (WTG and ATG) right from the start.

As expected, I was cut all to heck and razor burned up the wazoo.

Try working in an XTG pass before ATG, might help with the irritation,

-Chief

great advice, and I have to say, how exciting it is to be receiving advice not only from all the other experienced shavers, but also from the man who started the website. Thank you Lynn for throwing your two cents into the pot, and not just being a silent observer. And thank you to all the other members who have been kind and helpful. This website rocks.

SO.... I was looking forward to taking another crack at the full face shave today, I've come this far and the results seem to getting better. However, My face has broken out a little bit (partly to stress, and partly to razor burn/ bumps I would imagine) so I think I will take this opportunity to work just my sideburns.

That part of my face is pretty clear and smooth, and I had great success shaving that area with my non dominant hand last night, and would like to test those waters again.

I will let you know how it goes.