Thread: Sweaty Hands

I have heard the Ballon theory also but I have also read that it is hard to pop the ballon so it is really not a good way to judge anything. Could be wrong though.

What keeps me from getting overwhelmed by the thought of holding a sharp piece of steel to my face and throat are that with as little pressure as we're putting on the blade and with as low an angle, it's actually pretty hard to do serious damage to yourself.

It's like working with anything "dangerous", respect it, but don't fear it.

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

Ok go slow and I think i read you go back and forth horizontally in a sawing motion to mimick those latest battery operated cartridge types is that right?

Do not use a sawing motion. Some like to shave at a slight angle to get the tough beard. I suggest going over the shaving videos here, or purchase Lynns DVD.

Success! Just did my cheek areas WTG twice and no nicks...it was kind of surprising how easy it was. One of the posts on this thread that helped me tremendously was when someone said that ideal is roughly 30 degrees but that there is latitude in this number and to do what is natural. So I went at a really low angle and started to raise the spine off the cheek and there was a sweet spot that i got to.

So next is the neck for tomorrow.

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

Success! Just did my cheek areas WTG twice and no nicks...it was kind of surprising how easy it was. One of the posts on this thread that helped me tremendously was when someone said that ideal is roughly 30 degrees but that there is latitude in this number and to do what is natural. So I went at a really low angle and started to raise the spine off the cheek and there was a sweet spot that i got to.

So next is the neck for tomorrow.

Congratulations! YOu are light-years ahead of me. My first shave involved taking my Dovo Astrale 5/8 out of the box, lathering up with canned cream, and attempting to shave my entire face. At least the razor had been honed (though I did not know it at the time!).

I paid for my mistakes. I have the scars to prove it.

But...4 months later, I'm still learning but enjoying great shaves plus all the intangibles that draw us to straight shaving.

I really wish some law required reading the "first shave" sticky before one was allowed to purchase a straight razor. After my second, painful, shave, i found that and began to get my act together.

You're in the right place to learn this right!

Wow you got a scar...that's....ummm.....keeeewl! You tell your friends its from fighting ninjas?

I got some scars to, mainly fro DE's, man those things are viscious.
You guys are thinkin to much about this stuff.
Pick up the razor and go with the flow and do what feels natural!!
Just do it, and learn. Enjoy

Originally Posted by Deckard

I got some scars to, mainly fro DE's, man those things are viscious.
You guys are thinkin to much about this stuff.
Pick up the razor and go with the flow and do what feels natural!!
Just do it, and learn. Enjoy

With all due respect this advice is crazy.

It "feels natural" to use too much pressure. It feels natural to strop hard. The wrong angle "feels natural." Trying to shave the whole face seems logical and natural, but for the first time, it's not. And shaving with the off-hand on the other side does not feel natural, but it's far better than reversing your strong hand.

Lots of things done right don't feel natural initially. In fact, most things are that way. Correct grip on a golf club, proper hold on a handgun, correct hand position on a guitar, singing from the diaphragm, distance running on the mid-foot instead of the heel--doing all these things effectively often demands that we "unlearn" a great many things and deprogram our ideas and muscle memory.

Put a straight razor on your face and "do what comes naturally" and you will do just that: it's totally natural to bleed a lot when a very sharp blade slices into your face.

Sure, don't get all paralyzed by analysis, but at the same time, we're about 3 generations removed from straight shaving as a majority cultural practice. Our age has totally forgotten this skill. So absent examples, mentors, and common cultural knowledge, we have to learn by precept and practice.

Kinda my point.
Add to the list putting a live blade against the skin of your face.
We could all sport beards, wouldn't have to think at all then.

Back to the OP. As you've had some success, do what has been successful for another day or two, then build on what you've learned by trying the neck or other areas. No need to rush, you have an entire lifetime to get good at this!