Big weekend of shaving with THE Razor.

This past weekend was my 4th and 5th time shaving with the straight. My Saturday shave was so encouraging that I just had to shave again on Sunday -- and I never, ever shave two days in a row (yet).

I'm becoming more comfortable working with the mirror, (the nuances of doing everything opposite because of the mirror caused most of the cuts on my first couple of shaves), as well as figuring out the best viewing angles to shave without my arm or the blade obstructing my view. I'm also developing a routine with my shaving, which I feel is very important to have, although it's still evolving as my experience grows.

I'm 110% left handed. As a result, the left side of my face looks and feels great. But shaving with my right hand, on my right side of the face, stills feels a little awkward. All of my cuts are on the right side of my face.

I'm having trouble shaving my jaw line, my chin & around the lips, as well as that concave between the laryngeal prominence and the sternomastoid (basically, around the adam's apple). And forget about going ATG -- I tried that on Sunday on the side of my face and I was feeling tugging, dragging and pulling that would've surely cut me open had I forced the issue. :chop:

I'm now up to 5 shaves with the straight. It was professionally honed when I received it from Classic Shaving, and so far I've only stropped it on leather. I do have a linen strop though. Is it time to give the razor a few passes on the linen? And what about stopping with pastes, at about what point should I get another strop to apply the paste on? Now? 10 more shaves? 20?

Thank you everybody for your assistance and support. :beer1:

Congrats!

It sounds like you are well and truly hooked..! :) Just enjoy the ride, take your time and develop at your own pace and you'll be getting the results you want in no time.

The chin and jaw line are a touch area, and the only way to get proficient is to practice. It took me a fair few shaves (and nicks!) to get those areas right, and I still get a slice or a bad shave if I dont pay attention there.

I strop with both fabric and leather before and after each shave. I do 30 fabric and 60 leather before each shave, then 15 fabric and 30 leather afterwards. I find this keeps the edge in good condition.

Dont worry about pastes for now, but you'll need one when your razor starts to dull or pull. Just do 10 strokes on the pasted strop then strop normally and test shave.

You can make a pasted strop very easily at home following this Wiki article. When you get round to needing a pasted strop this could be a quick and easy way to go.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcgericault

I'm 110% left handed. As a result, the left side of my face looks and feels great. But shaving with my right hand, on my right side of the face, stills feels a little awkward. All of my cuts are on the right side of my face.

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Here's how I do it...if you're a lefty, place your left hand on your forehead. Not actually your thumb, but the base of the thumb on your forehead. Turn head to face the mirror and turn your eyes so that you're looking under your hand. Hope that makes sense.

Sounds like you're well on your way to shaving everyday with your straights. Keep up the good work.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcgericault

I'm 110% left handed. As a result, the left side of my face looks and feels great. But shaving with my right hand, on my right side of the face, stills feels a little awkward. All of my cuts are on the right side of my face.

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Not to worry. We have shavers here that shave using one hand only. You do what's comfortable for you. There are no "rules" when it comes to using one or both hands. If you want to learn to use two hands, take your time. It will come. If not, then to use one hand totally... :tu

You're doing well!

Just keep at it and you'll find your own way of doing things, and you'll be shaving like a pro in no time.

Under the nose, the chin and the jaw line are the most awkward.

I do 20 linen and 40 leather before I shave, and about 10 linen and 20 leather after I shave, this is only to make sure my razor is dry.

I've never used a pasted strop, as I find I get along without it.