Thread: Journal of discovery, learning to use a straight razor

Thank you! I always feel a little self conscious after I post a huge wall of text. I figure that I can come back to it in the future and see what my learning/thought process was and that justifies my continued updating and what not.

So it is nice to hear that it has helped others as well. Good luck with your own learning, for me that has been one of the best parts about this little venture.

Excellent read. I really enjoyed getting into your mind and I really feel like I have taken some good pointers away from it. Thanks again for taking the time to do this for me and all the other new guys.
-Steve

6 months into shaving now, and things still keep getting better. The other night I had the best shave yet. While I usually go for the simple servicable shave, (a two pass WTG w/ lather, XTG w/ water), the other night I decided to take my time and go for the all out BBS.

I really got into the zone while stropping, all tension from the day melted away, and I took my time with the shave. While I learned so much within my first dozen shaves, I've found my technique has still been refining little by little each shave. In addition, I've gotten an very intimate knowledge of the wide variety of ways my beard grows over my face and neck.

So the other night, that knowledge, developing technique, patience and relaxed approach all came together for the best shave yet. Even my neck and chin, which have never been BBS, finally got that level of smoothness I had all but given up on.

I just also wanted to thank you for your helpful shave journal. I'm on my second shave, struggling with stropping. It's little easier for me, coze I'm going from DE, so I know soaps & creams and brush. Still want to put pressure on the blade

Just wanted to say thanks for this journal. I am very new here (1 month) and still getting comfortable with this really really sharp thing so near my neck. This journal reinforced that I am doing a lot of good things and making progress. I hadn't read it before tonight and it mirrored a lot of my experience and gave me pause to remember my first few days. Thanks again!

Mark,

Nice journal. This is great stuff. I encourage others to consider the same, even if you don't think you'll be providing any benefit.

I learned quite a bit from the mistakes of others too.

It also helps us with a little more experience in understanding what some of the typical mistakes might be.