My first shave + impression
Hello guys
second post here.
First of all, I would like to thank all of you guys for this fine and legit community.
I bought a straight razor from dovo 2 hours ago. The guy from the shop who sold it said it would be shave ready.... can't really tell if that's true, but I guess he wouldn't tell me bullcrap.
I also got me a strop, shaving cream + a badger hair brush.
Cost me 300 swiss franks, which is roughly the same as US dollars these days.
Being the lunatic I am, I jumped straight in it. My first impression:
I am impressed.
Let me tell you my negative impressions first though.
1) I now have a hell of a razorburn. It feels different than what I was feeling when I shaved my face with a Gillette Mach3 + Gillette shaving gel. I guess this is due to the numbing chemicals in the Gillette gel.
I guess this will eventually change with accomodation and increase of skill.
2) I found myself sometimes holding the blade with two hands. This causes a problem, since I need to stretch my skin. And stretching my skin is hard enough as it is as I absolutely, positively need to wear my glasses when shaving (I refuse to put on contacts since I consider my glasses a part of my body, lolol).
However, there are some very good impressions too.
1) It's much less hard than I thought it would be. I did not even cut myself!
2) I did not dare shave in 3 passes. Except for my cheeks. I did two passes on all the other parts of my face, except for around my throat where I did not dare shave at all. My cheecks however, feel absolutely smooth. Much better than what I could possibly ever achieve with a Mach3.
Even the areas where I only did two passes feel very, very smooth. Also, better than with a mach3.
Things I have learned:
1)Respect the blade! It's sharper than anything I have ever held in my hands.
2) Don't be irrational or foolish. If I don't feel comfortable with shaving a particular area, such as around my throat, don't do it. If my hands are trembling, put the razor away and listen to some music for one or two minutes.
3) Don't be hasty. I am doing something for its aesthetical value and because it is cool (and hopefully going to save me money, too).
BTW, I never shower or shave in the morning. I hate that. It gives me the feeling that it robs me 30 minutes of my precious slumber. I always do that before I go to bed. And that certainly won't change, ever.
All in all, I have to say that it's been a very pleasant experience. I am certainly going to stick with it.
thanks again for you guys, this community sure has (further) encouraged me to take this step, a step I so far do certainly not regret.
Best of wishes from switzerland.