Thread: Newbie after a year and a half

I have not been on the forum for quite awhile, but I just wanted to give a report after using a straight razor for almost a year and a half. I have to say it definitely takes a while to get a pretty good knack for it, and I had a few pretty good nicks along the way! I find that the one thing that causes the greatest amount of cuts is not paying attention and hurrying. Any, repeat ANY sideways movement of the blade WILL result in blood! I am still perfecting my movements to get the best of the hard to shave spots beneath my jawline alongside my adams apple, and just back from the right side of my mouth. They still give me fits but I'm about to win. I made myself learn to shave using both my right and left hands, it seems to give a lot more options for those hard to get places. I have one of the good strops with a linen and horsehide side. I usually give the blade around 15 licks on the linen, then about 60 on the leather side. I haven't had to go to the hone in several months. I usually get about two days out of a good shave (I have a fairly light beard) with the straight. I shave after I shower, and lately have just been useing the brush lathering technique. It takes me right at 30 minutes to brush teeth, shower, dry, strop, shave, and get pretty smellin'! That is about the same bathroom time it took me when I used to grind off the top of my whiskers with my electric "razor".When I'm in a really tearing hurry, I resort to the old safety razor, but for whatever reason, I get more nicks with it than I do with the straight, and it only lasts one day. The shave is not even close to the straight shave. So take heart, those of you just barely starting, and don't give up, it is not only worth it, it just gets better and better!!

Congrats! Its really great fun and I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Heres to sweet shaving!

It's nice to hear a report from someone who has perservered over a while without a hurry to getting perfect technique after a couple of months of holding a straight. I am the same way, I go at my own pace, take it slow and know I will get there with great results in the end. Nice post, thanks for sharing.

Thank you I needed to hear that! Don.

thanks for the report dude. Im just starting and the more positive reports back teh better. i hope i can get good with both hands too one day.

Hello, Mbrennan:

I am glad the shaves are improving. They will continue to do so.

Also, congratulations on using both hands. Not that set rules are on the books for using one or two hands. No, not at all. Use what feels most comfortable. I use two hands, however, and always recommend it as a good option from the beginning.

Regards,
Obie

Nice e-mail and reflection on the results of your effort.

Pabster

Thanks!

I'm on the same boat. It keeps me going to here about improvements from others.

Thanks for sharing! You're sure right that it gets better and better,
that's just about my favourite part of straight-razor shaving.

Keep on shaving!

- Scott