Thread: My Learning Curve

Originally Posted by Lazarus

My experience as a beginner, which is probably not uncommon, was that I was immediately afflicted with several of the acquisition disorders. I had new razors arriving every couple of days. Naturally I wanted to shave with each new razor. As a result I was not becoming familiar and comfortable with any given razor. At some point I decided to pick a razor and shave with only that razor for awhile. My technique began to improve much more rapidly. As I thought about this it made sense to me that of course the more variables in the equation the more complex it is. For a newbie, constantly experimenting with different razors, soaps, creams, strops, etc. can make it difficult to analyze results, and improve performance. My suggestion is to get a shave ready razor from a credible source (such as SRD, one of the senior members with a shave ready razor in the classifieds here, Bob Keyes, etc.) This eliminates one of the biggest concerns most beginners seem to have which is: “is this razor sharp enough?” Then use only that razor and a consistent process (this assumes basic competency in prep, stropping etc) and stick with it for at least a week. As you follow this regime you will likely find that you quickly become more comfortable with the razor you are using, this will help you focus more on your technique and your results will improve. This will allow you to establish a performance baseline. Now if you alter one variable at a time in your process you will have a better understanding of its impact on your results. I hope this is helpful.

+1 on what you state here.

But I have to tell you. The type of obsessive compulsive people that will stick with this until they get it are not always likely to listen to everyone elses advice. This is cool equipment - really cool equipment. If one's not enough, ten's not too many. And it's really really hard to do without hurting yourself. And when you have all of the skills mastered, the results are right there on your face.

Stop and think about the type of people that would be attracted to this shaving method and you will understand what I mean.

I don't think folks really start paying attention to advice until they start honing - that I think is because not following the advice renders your razor unshavable - and nobody wants that! Shaving with a str8 is damn difficult, but honing is a whole new level of frustration.

David

ahh yes there is a lot to be said for the guy who with one razor . someone once said " beware of the man with one gun . he probley knows how to use it" me i like to mix it up, having a tool that was made 100 years ago and is better the the newest 9 bladed computer guided plastic face scraper form gillette is a kick. haveing many such tools,and that the least of them will still kick butt on anything made today is intoxicating. mix in the brushs and soaps and creams ... my god this is nirvana. what a great way to start your day or finish one.i think if we took a poll we would find that all of us are collectors guns. cars, stamps you name it. it takes a certain knid of nut to want to learn how to put a truely sharp razor to his own throat... and enjoy it

Originally Posted by Alembic

+1 on what you state here.

But I have to tell you. The type of obsessive compulsive people that will stick with this until they get it are not always likely to listen to everyone elses advice. This is cool equipment - really cool equipment. If one's not enough, ten's not too many. And it's really really hard to do without hurting yourself. And when you have all of the skills mastered, the results are right there on your face.

Stop and think about the type of people that would be attracted to this shaving method and you will understand what I mean.

I don't think folks really start paying attention to advice until they start honing - that I think is because not following the advice renders your razor unshavable - and nobody wants that! Shaving with a str8 is damn difficult, but honing is a whole new level of frustration.

David

I think you raise some interesting points as always David. I think it will depend on the individual's neuroses. In my case my slight tendency towards OCD (I don't really have have OCD I just tend to think there is a right way and a wrong way and I like to do things the right way and basically have my stuff wired up tight) overrode my lack of impulse control sufficiently for me to hold off on trying the new razors calling out to me. Mind you my impulse control wasn't strong enough to hold off on buying more razors, just enough to not immediately shave with them. Everybodies bundle of competing neuroses is different.