Thread: I DID IT - First complete straight shave

After dipping my toes into straight shaving on Tuesday, last night I went ahead and did a full straight shave. Overall went pretty good. As expected, it wasn't as close as my DE shaves but still decent. Definitely a learning curve and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out angles and how to hold the razor comfortably when going in certain directions. Only one nick/cut and it wasn't even when I was actually shaving. Was holding the razor over my upper lip area and tried to contort my lip to do the left hand side and since I was looking in the mirror, I ended up moving my lip in the wrong direction and right into the blade. I now know my razor was very sharp. Pretty clean cut and didn't bleed much but I felt silly afterwards. Other then that, great experience and look forward to improving my technique. Going to watch a lot of videos on how to shave. One of my problems was trying to figure out how to shave around my goatee so if anyone has any suggestions as far as direction or how they hold the razor I'm willing to listen.

Congrats! It sounds like you are off to a great start..!

This is definately one of those things that takes some time to learn, and it will just keep getting better and better from here.

I dont have any facial hair, so hopefully one the guys who sports a goatee can advise on how to navigate them.

Well done on your first complete shave! Great job!

Just keep at it, take things slow and enjoy the ride.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks. It was definitely a learning experience. Found there were times where my hand was getting in akward positions so there was a lot of repositioning and trying to get comfortable. Other then that it went not too bad. Did notice I did a better job on the right side of my face then I did on the left but I figured that just comes from being right handed. I was happy to find no razor burn or irritation after. Felt like that meant I was getting the angle correct. Or as close as possible to being correct.

tis is how i have around my goaty:
I shave the left side with my right hand just using the tip to the razor and for the right side I use my right hand.
another technique is to shave as close as possible wtg and do the rest xtg
hope this helps you

regards
Stijn

BMC,

Congratulations on the first shave!

I've only been straight razor shaving for approximately 3 weeks, so take this into consideration when reading the following. Obviously, err toward senior advice if someone disagrees with what I say.

When talking about the hairs that join the mustache to the goat, I get a "rough" cut at the lateral margin of this region by making a north to south WTG pass relatively close to the margin. I don't "fuss" about getting this pass perfectly at the margin.

How I can get great definition of this horizontal line is by using an XTG pass, starting at the hair line and sweeping toward my cheek bone. Right side with right hand and left side with left hand.

Most of the time, this is all it takes, but if I still feel stubble adjacent to the hair line I do an ATG with the toe of the blade adjacent to the hair line. Left side w left hand, right side with right hand. I have a spike point blade which makes it easier to follow the line. I've not cut myself yet doing this, but have a healthy respect for my fickle new lover.

I don't have to define the medial (toward midline) edge of these hairs as there is almost nothing between them and my soul patch.

When talking about the lower margin of the goat, I edge mine it just below the jaw line - first with a WTG, then with an ATG pass. Right side with left hand, left side with right hand. Since day one I've had good success with defining the edge without a single nick. On the ATG pass, I definitely followed Obie's advice about using a VERY LIGHT touch!


This is one of the things I just LOVE about SR shaving! Using an electric razor I could NEVER achieve such a clean line - the stupid thing just grabbed the goat (despite the fact that I keep my goat trimmed short). It literally would pull whiskers out by the roots (ouch!) and still leave stubble adjacent to the line. With a safety razor, I almost always nicked myself (and I thought they were supposed to be less likely to cut you - yea, right).

Any seniors with goats willing to pass on sage advice?

Happy shaving,

Greg

Originally Posted by bmc1979

it wasn't as close as my DE shaves

...I'm still on the fence about investing in SE because of this reason.

I'm interested to know when you'll get as good of shave with SE as with your DE. Please keep us posted on your progress (preferably this thread).

Jake

Its just a matter of time and practice and it will become second nature to you, congrats on a great shave!

Well done! Glad you enjoyed it & sensed enough achievement to post. There will be times when you feel your making no progress. Remember the elation when you do & you won't give up!

Originally Posted by snakyjake

...I'm still on the fence about investing in SE because of this reason.

I'm interested to know when you'll get as good of shave with SE as with your DE. Please keep us posted on your progress (preferably this thread).

Jake

I'll be honest, after giving it a go, if you're interested in a straight then go for it. I'm sure my shaves will get better and I got about as good of a shave as I thought I would the first time around. Some spots were just as good as my DE and others were still stubbly. From what I could tell my right side was pretty good where my left side was the problem area which makes sense as I'm right handed. I'll probably always keep my DE's but rotate the straight in there probably once a week or so (shave 3-4 times a week) for a change and because I enjoyed it. worst case scenario for you is you invest in a shave ready razor and strop and if you don't care for it then it won't be hard to sell it.

Still haven't gotten my second shave in as I went up to my parents place for the long weekend and took a DE with me as it was less stuff to bring with me. Will probably try my second on either Wednesday or Thursday.

Hello, bmc1979:

Congratulations on your first full shave. Don't forget, in time everything will get better.

Around your goatee, flatten the razor a bit more than usual and then come at each side by holding the razor in the opposite hand. You might also want to try small buffing strokes to get everything as closely and neatly as you require.

Don't forget: keep the pressure light at all times by relying on the razor's weight for pressure. That's all you need.

Regards,
Obie