Take your time.

Well, it has been several months of straight shaving now and I am beginning to feel VERY comfortable with the shave and LOVE the process.

I just wanted to throw a thread up to others that are just starting and give a bit of encouragement.

Don't give up...

But most of all just take your time. It is a huge learning curve from the drag around your face disposable multi blades. I had started with a DE and that gave me some of the slow down respect needed plus a good idea of how my facial hair grew and how it needed to be cut.

I then moved from the DE to just doing my right cheek for a week or so. I would get all lathered up and then Str8 my right cheek down to my jaw line and finish up the shave with my DE.

I continued with this pattern and went week to week adding little bits of my face. That allowed me to get very comfortable with my shave and how my razor cut. It also gave me time to get used to shaving with my left hand. (I am apparently pretty left hand stupid :) )

Once I got through my whole face, I was able to kick loose my DE and do my whole face with the Str8.

It's been several months with my Str8 and have been loving it. I haven't had any big blood letting exercise and only a few weepers.

It just made the whole experience very enjoyable and allowed me to focus on several different things, including lathering and stropping.

Taking your time allows you to feel comfortable and to get a good feel for everything.

Don't rush it, read the advice given here and take your time and enjoy the shave. Actually enjoy the entire process. It isn't very satisfying to shave just your cheek for a week when you have a brand new toy (ie Razor) but once you get proficient with the whole process the reward it there. Plus when you are shaving just one section of your face, you get a better understanding of how well the Str8 shaves.

Good luck,

Marc

Hopefully, I'll be able to resist the urge to hurry the process, and take it step-by-step, having he kind of success you did. Thanks for sharing that experience.

Thanks for the tips. Today was my first go around with a straight razor and I think it fairly well. No blood, one very smooth cheek and one very jealous cheek. It was hard not to go after it but after soo many people tell ya to hold up you better. Anyways, thanks for the tips and all of them are welcome.....Jeff

Nice advice and encouragement. I did travel up the learning curve fast due to being gung ho and having no DE to fall back on.:mexwave:

Pabster

You will soon learn what you must do, to get a good shave, and what you can get away with without a problem.
You may be surprised to find yourself shaving when you really don't need to, instead of just shaving when you must.