Hi everyone!

I'm new to this and at Age 41 have gotten interested in shaving with a straight razor and to dip my toe in the water bought a shavette-type (made in pakistan) razor as a start on the journey to see how I like it and get used to the wet shaving world.

I started to keep a shave log because quite honestly, I've been baffled at all the info that I've been seeing here and on other forums and want to keep all the the things I try "straight" :-)

This is what I have done thus far and all comments and suggestions are appreciated...

Shave log (Copied from a txt file)

Day 1 - 2 JUN 2010
First attempt at shaving with shavette-type Straight razor using a deby SE (half-DE) blade.
Used a combination of TBS Maca Root Cream and VDH Deluxe Soap
Trouble using non-dominant hand and tried to shave both sides and when attempted under neck and cut across adam's apple... styptic to rescue...

- later in the day
Used VDH Deluxe Soap
Tried to finish shaving and did a pretty good job on just right cheek, but still nicked my self on upper cheek and lower right neck...

Day 2 - 3 JUN 2010
Used Shea Moisture Shea and African Black Soap shaving cream and does not lather that great, shaved cheeks only with straight razor, then used Schick Quattro for rest of face

Day 3 - 4 JUN 2010
Used Shea Moisture Shea and African Black Soap shaving cream mixed with VDH
Shaved cheeks only with straight razor, then used Schick Quattro for rest of face

Day 4 - 5 JUN 2010
Used Shea Moisture Shea and African Black Soap shaving cream mixed with VDH
Shaved cheeks and under neck somewhat with straight razor, then used Schick Quattro for rest of face, reapplied shaving mix for use as after shave face moisturizer

Day 5 - 6 JUN 2010
Used Williams and shaved cheeks and uinderneck, but it dried out too fast.
I mixed a second bowl of Williams and added the Shea Moisture Shea and African Black Soap shaving cream and got a much better lather and redid my whole face and tried WTG everywhere I possibly could and tried a little bit around Adams Apple and the upper lip/below nose area. Did the best I could, getting hang of cheeks and doing better under neck (not under chin, yet).
Still using right/dominant hand on whole face. Need to practice using non-dominant hand.
Using the Schick Quattro for the rest of face.

Day 6 - 7 JUN 2010
Mixed williams and Shea Moisture Shea and African Black Soap shaving cream.
Started with a new blade in the razor.
Shaved cheeks and under neck somewhat with straight razor, but today I must have been too comfortable with the cheeks having no nicks or cuts since day 1 because I nicked myself on both cheeks and once on the neck. Ouch!
Giving face a rest and will go back later and finish up later with the Quattro.

Joe.
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New guy.