Thread: Too many new things...

5. If I can't do the whole thing in 5 minutes - it's not worth it too me.

Your wife must be thrilled.

Awesome response!

Geoffery, I noticed in an earlier post,you said your skin was too slick to stretch it. The FIX for that problem is to buy an Alum Bar. You rub your wet fingers on the alum bar and presto,your fingers are now like Velcro grippers on your skin,Give it a go!!!!

Same here...Congratulations. Glad to hear that you got off the fence and tried your new straight razor. Don't worry about the cut too much. Get some triple antibiotic cream at your local drugstore to heal that cut and avoid getting an infection.

In point of fact, your experience is a lot like mine. I used a brush and traditional shaving lather, along with a Mach 3, before I converted to a de razor last fall and then a straight razor last December.

Besides the cut it looks pretty good! Just remember to keep a steady hand & take your time. Straight shaving is supposed to be relaxing, not rushed. Good luck on your future shaves, Rome wasn't built in 1 day!

Thanks for all the responses.

I had the best shave yet last night tho it appears my neck will be an issue for a while. Used kyle's prep and the vanden hagen soap. Used the SR only and the witch-hazel after. Without thinking about the time at all, it "only" took about 55 minutes. I guess it really is all about practice.

I'm now using some kind of facial lotion my wife has for in the mornings, still haven't obtained any aftershave specific balm.

re: slick skin - I don't have an alum block, but I ended up grabbing a washcloth and using that. It helped a lot it just removes a bunch of lather before the SR can

It has been said on here ad naseum but I feel it bears repeating for the other newbies like me: skin stretching is important!

Geoffrey

Some updates:
1. Added a Dovo "Bismark" from SRD. 6/8 hollow. I use it every other shave and really like it better than the 5/8.
2. Swapped Publix brand witch hazel to Dickenson's. I like it a little better. Seems less harsh.
3. Added Burt's Bees Aftershave (see this thread). Seems to have cleared up the dry skin.

Taking all of the above into account, I still think the biggest difference is just practice, and really learning how the hair is growing on my face (especially the neck). I am constantly finding myself using too much pressure and needing to back off.

Great shave this morning btw. Not BBS everywhere, but smooth and with no irritation at all.



Geoffrey

Originally Posted by TheGiver

I still think the biggest difference is just practice

Yep - I Steinway grand piano does no good to someone who doesn't practice the piano.

Originally Posted by TheGiver

Ok, I am going back and categorizing this as a cut. I haven't been in front of a mirror since this morning but my wife just asked me what I did to my chin. Here's a pic (click for larger view).


Yikes!

Nick or cut it doesn't matter. A wound is a wound.

Originally Posted by TheGiver

Some updates:
1. Added a Dovo "Bismark" from SRD. 6/8 hollow. I use it every other shave and really like it better than the 5/8.
2. Swapped Publix brand witch hazel to Dickenson's. I like it a little better. Seems less harsh.
3. Added Burt's Bees Aftershave (see this thread). Seems to have cleared up the dry skin.

Taking all of the above into account, I still think the biggest difference is just practice, and really learning how the hair is growing on my face (especially the neck). I am constantly finding myself using too much pressure and needing to back off.

Great shave this morning btw. Not BBS everywhere, but smooth and with no irritation at all.



Geoffrey

Glad to hear you are making progress. I have to agree on the practice as well. If I'm paying attention, I can still better my technique with each shave (been shaving 5 months). Even after 5 months, pressure is still something I'm trying to better.