Thread: I did it!

I just have myself my first full straight razor shave that didn't need a go-over with a DE.

I've been learning the ancient and deadly art of the straight razor for a few weeks now. I just started doing the flat bits on the right side of my face. Each shave I went out and explored a bit further, eventually practising switching hands for the left side shave, trying to learn the contortions involved in skin stretching and how to get at all the tricky angled parts of my mug.

Each day getting a bit more shave out of the straight before running to the DE like a big hairy girl.

Today is the first day I shaved my whole face, two passes, and didn't need the tidy up DE pass.

Was it a good shave? No. No it wasn't. I'm not BBS in some spots. There is a good ol' cut on my chin (still my hardest bit to master) and I have a bit of razor burn on my neck. But I am shaved, and I did it all with the straight. I'm starting to think this might actually be possible and you guys weren't just making the whole straight razor business up as a big elaborate practical joke on me.

It was not a BBS?...... as only Yoda can say: It will be, it will be!

Congrats!!! I am a FNG also so I know how thrilling it can be to get through a shave w/o a blood letting.

It's like getting an awesome christmas present when you achieve that first whole straight shave good,bad or indifferent......or better yet. it's like dropping the hot dog in the campfire ,pulling it out and still enjoying it dirt and all. cause it's still good no mattah what ? !Congrats !! Yeah , I know...I'm wierd !

From a fellow Aussie - Congratulations!!

You will get that BBS with time and patience. Review the good advice on Wiki from time to time and just keep at it. I found that once I stopped using my DE altogether, the rate of improvement increased. Most days I don't go for a BBS, so just do 2 passes. When I want a BBS, I can get it with 3 passes, now that I know my way around my face. I guess it took me 8 months to feel absolutely confident - but I'm an old guy. We can be taught new tricks, but it takes a little longer. Cheers!!

Hello, Legion:

Congratulations.

Forget BBS for now and concentrate on skill and technique. Every day re-evaluate what you are doing. Eventually BBS will come.

Regards,
Obie

Congrats on your first full shave!

I cannot agree more with what Obie said; Concentrate on the techniques of the shave like getting the right angles, proper face prep and lathering, and correct stropping technique, and you'll get that BBS result.

Its purely a technique thing, and practice makes perfect!

Good luck, keep enjoying the ride and keep us posted!

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Legion:

Congratulations.

Forget BBS for now and concentrate on skill and technique. Every day re-evaluate what you are doing. Eventually BBS will come.

Regards,
Obie

+1 on forgetting the BBS for now. If you try for it at your current skill level and the amount your skin is broken in without your technique that develops over time, you are liable to see a whole lot more blood.

And congrats on no DE clean up. That is a great feeling.

David

Congrats

Congrats Legion !!

I know EXACTLY how you feel, I've through the exact same thing this week. Your confidence will be up for the next shave, it'll be a great one.

Enjoy !!

Congrats, you are well on your way. Sounds like you are learning lots with each and every shave.