Thread: first "shave" - sightlines

So I now have a really, really smooth 1.5" of skin just below my right sideburn. Thanks to all for the help. The rest of my face is on fire from razor burn and is rough in comparison from using the Fusion on it, but I am taking it slow.

Overall my first attempt was a success, and was mostly about getting stropping method and motion right (still fumbling as I switch from one direction to the next a bit) and how to hold the razor. That's my question.

I can't seem to actually _see_ where I am shaving when I am holding the razor in place. Skin is taught, razor is properly held in hand, and I bring it up...and it blocks my field of vision entirely. I went by feel - placed razor against skin right below sideburn, pulled off to the right angle, then pulled down with blade. But that can't be right.

What am I doing wrong?

thanks.

Have you looked here yet?

Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Actually, I had, and have been trying the different grips but...after going through several, several videos, I got it now. What I've been seeing is that when watching people shave the "near" side of the face, it looks like they are tilting the head a lot more than they really are. I saw one video of shaving the far side, with the camera angle just so, and it's obvious how the razor would be (mostly) out of the way.

phew. thanks.

One of the things I got to help me was one of those mirrors that pulls out from the wall. It's great, and really helps me see things I couldn't see before.

Sounds like you're on the right path, and I have to admit a few spots on my face are done by feel, but being able to pull that mirror right up to my face without having to lean into it really helped me.

Hang in there. You'll get it.

I'm going to modify this thread of my own rather than start another one. On this wiki page on shaving techniques:

Shaving videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki

jockeys demonstrates a number of passes. What throws me, though, is how some of the angles look completely different than what the wiki suggests. For instance, under the nose it looks almost 90 degrees to the skin. The coup de maitre. On the chin the same thing. Is it just the angle at which the video is shot...?

Use the Wiki as a general guide. Everybody's face and beard is different. One person's method may not work that well for you, especially around the chin.

Hallelujah...welcome to the fold . Congrats on your first area of smooth shave. At some point or another, it will all click together...there's a lot the brain and your muscles have to process at the same time; 1) pressure, 2) angle, 3) speed, 4) muscle memory, etc, etc, etc...as we start out, we try to consciously think about all these things individually...and when we fail at multitasking it (consciously) we get the razor burn, nicks, cuts. once they start clicking together (sub-consciously) and all become "One" with your brain's processing, then it's Nirvana.

Stick with it...the end of the rainbow does have a treasure .

Cheers,
-Robert

Originally Posted by kaiyen

So I now have a really, really smooth 1.5" of skin just below my right sideburn. Thanks to all for the help. The rest of my face is on fire from razor burn and is rough in comparison from using the Fusion on it, but I am taking it slow.

Overall my first attempt was a success, and was mostly about getting stropping method and motion right (still fumbling as I switch from one direction to the next a bit) and how to hold the razor. That's my question.

I can't seem to actually _see_ where I am shaving when I am holding the razor in place. Skin is taught, razor is properly held in hand, and I bring it up...and it blocks my field of vision entirely. I went by feel - placed razor against skin right below sideburn, pulled off to the right angle, then pulled down with blade. But that can't be right.

What am I doing wrong?

thanks.