My "difference makers"

I have been shaving with a straight for a few months now and look forward to shaving each morning, I never would have thought this would happen. Listed below are some of the things that I have changed and seem to be making a big difference in my shaving:

Pre shave - try hot and cold water and see what works the best for you.

Lather - less water is better than more. You can always add more water, but it is hard to take water out.

Strop - Buy a cheap strop to learn on and then upgrade, this way when you nick your strop you won't be heart broken.

Razor - Stick to the shave ready classifieds and keep it fairly cheap, until you learn how not only to strop correctly but how to also keep rust and water marks off of the blade, this can be easier said than done.

Creams and Soaps - Don't be scared to ask for samplers and ask for a lot of them. I love the different scents and it seems to me that all creams and soaps are a little difference as far as lather ability and shave ability. My two favorites so far are Castle and Forbes lime, and Truefitt and Hill 1805. At least at this time I prefer creams over soaps.

Aftershaves - same thing as creams and soaps.

Shaving - This may be where I have made the most progress. And although I agree that having a sharp razor, blade angle, skin stretching, and pre shave are important, I personally do not think they are the most important aspects. I feel that being able to shave with a light touch is the most important aspect. It has been my experience that even a professionally honed razor can feel dull if it is being driven into your face. The less pressure that I use the better more irritation free shave I am able to get. I also think that BBS is overrated, I started shaving with a straight to avoid the ingrown hairs that I was getting with a cartridge razor. I have yet to get a ingrown hair since I started shaving with a straight.

Read, read, and read as much of the wiki and posts on this site that you can, a lot information is made available on this site.

That's all very good advice. I agree with you about the shave. Comfort comes first for me too, & a light touch is a essential for this unless you have skin like an alligator.

Most of my shaves so far are just a single pass WTG. I love the way it makes my face feel!!!

Very nice list of observations. New str8 shavers would do well to consider them.

Great advice, thanks for sharing! :)

I definately agree with you about the pressure, if you use too much it'll wreck your face. Some people get tempted to apply more to get a closer shave, but it's the prep, skin stretching and technique that get you a close shave.

Thanks again!

I would add a caution to the light touch. Don't confuse this with a light grip. I'm not saying use a death grip on your razor, but definitely hold it firmly, making sure you are holding the shank an not the scale. An improper grip can be dangerous, as you have inadequate control of the blade.

Good advice all. The only thing I slightly disagree with is sticking with used razors in the classifieds.... or wherever. While I bought many used razors when I first started I bought many new ones as well. Especially once a person has enough experience to know what their preferences in size, grind and point is. As for the grip, what is mentioned in my sig line has been working very well for me. :)

Jimmy, I had completely fortotten about your signature line. Had I remembered it, instead of what I said in my post, I would simply have said, "Read JimmyHAD's sig."