First shave jitters?

Hi everyone. I am a new guy around here and I am very impressed with everyones willingness to help out guys like me.
I need a little advice or maybe reassurance. I recently got all geared up and had a little extra time this morning so I decided to try my new razor.

I was scared.

I have practiced on my arms and thigh areas which I know is a little weird but I wanted to hey a feel for how well the razor cuts and how it feels. No issue.

When I put the blade to my face I just am afraid. I know that if you use proper technique it is harder to cut yourself than most people think.

My question is Dix any of you have first time jitters?

My first shave will be tomorrow, when my razor arrives, and I'm pretty nervous about it. My plan is to take a nice shower first, get lathered up, hold the blade and take some very deep breaths.

Hello, Bassmantwee:

I am sure many shavers have the jitters on their maiden voyage with the straight razor. I know I did. Think good preparation, proper razor angle and no razor pressure whatsoever — the razor's weight is all the pressure you need.

Obviously your razor is shave ready, correct?

Start with shaving your cheeks. One or two passes from the side burn to the jawline will do for the next few days. After that expand the areas a bit at a time. You'll do fine, especially if you stop worrying about cutting yourself. Focus on the razor angle and pressure.

It takes time to hone your skill with the straight razor. You will get there.

Regards,
Obie

Good advice from my friend Obie. Take your time, a few deep breath's and start with a small area first, sideburns to the cheek...Do whatever you can to relax before hand.
A nice hot shower and go for it. The more you shave, the better you get at it...

I suggest shaving when you are alone in the house. Use a dry hand to shave with and do a good job of prepping the beard area. Then only shave a small portion under the sideburn as suggested.

Go slow. Take your time. Be careful.

Most of the problems people have is because they do not have a shave ready razor, do not actually know how to strop, and do not know how to shave.

Accept all of these possibilities and expect nothing more than to gain a little experience.

DO NOT EXPECT A GOOD SHAVE.

Most trepidation is rooted in the unknown. Read up and study a bit. Then learn from the experience.

I find that I get nicked, not so much when I am afraid, but when I get over-confident. Sometimes fear is a good thing. Just turn that fear into a healthy respect and you will do fine.

Having spent 15 years with a Double Edge, I have seen my share of blood, and don't think much of it. Just rub it with the styptic and move on. Scars on a man add character! hehe!:beer2:

Well - I actually did it and I must say i did really well.

I did my whole face with the exception of where a goatee would be (lip and chin)

NOT A SINGLE NICK!!!!

I had a little trouble using my non dominant hand....... I think i want to try and use two hands rather than reaching across... any thoughts on this?

For my first shave, I shook like a leaf....bad shave, but no cuts. After the first couple days, the shakes were gone, but ironically, the nicks began.

Congrats on getting past those jitters and just going for it. I was in the same boat about a week ago.

My first few shaves were nik free (like Red). Fourth shave I got two niks (minor) and didn't know why I got them. I realized I rushed the shave and did not concentrate. Fifth shave I slowed down, and was nik free.

As a complete noob, I am learning a big lesson in patience. There are so many small things to master! Good luck and keep at it!

First time jitters are quite normal. I was nervous as heck when I lathered up for my first straight razor shave last December.

The more you shave with your straight razor, however, the less nervous you will become and it will become more and more enjoyable.

Take care--and smooth shaving my friend.

Good for you! I think you'll find it will get easier each time. Keep using that non-dominant hand. I actually frequently use it to reach across to the dominant side. That is, I'm right-handed, and I frequently use my left hand to get a different angle on the left side of my face. Become as ambidextrous as possible!

Agreed on the overconfidence breeds cuts point! I was doing pretty well and then got too sure of myself and literally sliced my face.

Without being OCD about it, one must pay attention. Straights are not forgiving creatures, and spike-points are positively demonic.

The straight razor, much like a motorcycle, demands respect, vigilance, plus knowledge and skill.

In the early 80's I acquired a shavette from a hair dresser friend. Never was able to make my self use it. Was ready several times, just couldn't make myself. Of course, I was more handsome then:roflmao:roflmao

Then along comes the internet. Lo and behold, I find people that really use straight razors and I don't have to learn in isolation through trial and error (although there is still plenty of that!).

I think most everyone has some anxiety about the first shave with a straight. It is part of the experience. Consider it dues for joining the brotherhood.

I had my first shave last week, I was so excited. I was so stubborn that I didn't pay attention to the "first shave" article posted in Wiki. My cheeks, chin, adam's apple (surprisingly), all turned out ok. My neck was a difference story. The area of my neck between my chin and adam's apple turned fine, but for some reason, I keep getting nicks on the other parts of my neck.

Hey, I figure I'll be a quicker learner. I guess I just need more practice. LOL

Great job on the first successful shave, Bass!

Welcome, Bassmantweed!

I think we all have the jitters the first time we pick up a really sharp piece of steel that looks enormous when you put it up against the face--and then proceed to slide it down said face, sharp edge leading.

+1 to what others have said--relax (but pay attention!), take your time, and learn to use that non-dominant hand. If you're about to try something new and you don't feel comfortable, stop. You'll be surprised at how quickly you progress when you don't push it.

Good to have you on board!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bassmantweed

Well - I actually did it and I must say i did really well.

I did my whole face with the exception of where a goatee would be (lip and chin)

NOT A SINGLE NICK!!!!

I had a little trouble using my non dominant hand....... I think i want to try and use two hands rather than reaching across... any thoughts on this?

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Keep practicing with your off hand. Its a skill that will pay off greatly as your skill increases.

Am I alone in this? I seem to get fewer cuts, and a better shave, with my off-hand. I suspect it's because I "learned right the first time" on the off hand? Maybe I pay more attention?

Someone else has said this--but it's true. For generations, all this shaving learning was taught to guys by their dads. What dad didn't know, your barber could tell you. I love the net, but I wish now I'd learned more from my dad.

it wasn't mainly his fault, either!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Am I alone in this? I seem to get fewer cuts, and a better shave, with my off-hand. I suspect it's because I "learned right the first time" on the off hand? Maybe I pay more attention?

Someone else has said this--but it's true. For generations, all this shaving learning was taught to guys by their dads. What dad didn't know, your barber could tell you. I love the net, but I wish now I'd learned more from my dad.

it wasn't mainly his fault, either!

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Many of my soldiers have taken an interest in my journey into straight razor shaving and I was surprised to learn that most have never been to a traditional barbershop! I think we often learn too late that Dad or Granddad had so much more to teach us...

Really the only problem I am having at this point is making my sideburns square? If i square up the razor my hand is in my line of sight. I guess i need a sideburn grip on the razor - I just need to figure out what that is.

Putting a STR8 piece of steel to your face is not a natural thing to do...best advice is to always find a happy place before starting...and no wife/GF/kids/dogs around helps too...

First post, hello all =).

First straight razor shave experience was about a week and a half ago. I was super nervous and only felt comfortable with the cheeks. Now i'm all the way up to full face and felt super confident.... which resulted in a nice long slice across the chin. Apparently confidence is not the exact way to feel when holding a blade against your face =). Making progress though!