Thread: View in the mirror

So, I have been straight razor shaving for 5 days now and I'm hooked! But, I seem to have a problem seeing the blade in the mirror. I know I am not the most coordinated guy, but does anyone have any tips? It seems like all I see are the scales and my hands!

That is a strange problem. I'll have to think about that while others post. I can only suspect your hand position is off. I don't have any problem seeing either scales or blade.

I do use the feel of my knowledge of the angle of the blade. Maybe you just need a bit of practice.

It just comes with practice. For example, try to comb your hair with your non-dominant hand in the mirror. It took me a bit to get used to those angles as well

You'll get used to it, but -- Get one of those mirrors that mounts to the wall and pulls out. They are great for shaving, and you can see things you can't with your normal bathroom mirror.

With all the blades, strops, brushes and soaps, the mirror is one of the best investments I've made.

Are you shaving with one hand or two? Two might give you a better view,

-Chief

Originally Posted by prrfan

So, I have been straight razor shaving for 5 days now and I'm hooked! But, I seem to have a problem seeing the blade in the mirror. I know I am not the most coordinated guy, but does anyone have any tips? It seems like all I see are the scales and my hands!

Hi

I am four shaves in and I am having exactly the same problem.

I have tried all of the different holds shown in the SRP Wiki and I am still struggling to see what I am doing. I am also using both hands.

Let me know if you find a solution.

Thanks
Paul

Originally Posted by BHChieftain

Are you shaving with one hand or two? Two might give you a better view,

-Chief

+1 on that

Viewing what your are doing is where switching razor hands comes into play. I started learning with both hands right away the first time I went at my face with the razor and realized I couldn't see a bloody thing and was liable to end up with a bloody face.

(post from another thread I wrote)

I am using both hands, just like Paul said above. I do think that a wall mount mirror may help.
The real problem seems to be that when holding the razor my hands block the view, but when I turn my face to get a better view, I lose my peripheral vision! So when this happens is when i end up nicking myself! i do notice that with each shave i am getting better and it seems like if I try to take shorter strokes and readjust my angle my view improves. Maybe it is just a matter of refining my skills!
Patrick

I can tell you, it does take some time. For me, For the longest time, I could not align the razor to trim my sideburns. I felt Shave Disabled....I finally got it down...You will too.
Keep practicing to find out what works for you. If your not able to use both hands, Say, your right hand dominant. Try brushing your teeth with your left hand for a while. It should get you used to using your non dominant hand....

I find that when I shift to my non-dominant hand, I have the same problem, my hand gets in the way of my view of the blade, but I've been doing this for a little bit, so I know what it is suppose to feel like, and I just go by feel.
+1 on the movable mirror, or additional mirror. I was visiting my grandparents over the thanksgiving holiday, in the US, and they have a mirror, with two other mirrors on an angle in the corners. It was so nice! There was never a position in which I could not see the blade! Hopefully my wife and I will be building a house soon, and I am, definitely, putting that kind of mirror/medicine cabinet in our bathroom.