Too many new things...

I decided to take a slightly different, and slightly longer, road to full on shaving with a SR. Until recently all I ever did was squirt foam out of a can, rub it in, then use a cartridge to scrape it all off again. I figured that adding a prep, learning to use a brush, learning to lather, learning to strop, AND learning to use the SR was just introducing too many variables for me to have any hope of having any success.

So, after I got my kit (beginners one from SRD) I decided hold off the SR (seeing as how that's the most difficult part) and just do all the other stuff while still using my M3.

The brush and soap? MUCH better shave with the M3 then ever before. Wow, is it really this "easy"? I've used all the different foams and gels on the market, even got some fancy expensive stuff from the Ulta store. The last thing I had been using was a shaving lotion from Lush (never gave me a close shave but certainly my skin felt nice after). They all pale in comparison to the soap and brush. It's not even close! Why isn't EVERYONE using this stuff? Why in the world have the gels and foams taken over? It CAN'T be ease of use because it is just not that hard or time consuming to use a soap and brush? I'm just baffled.

Anyway.

During this time I've tried to get more acquainted with the SR and not fear it. Like a lot of newbies I now have a lot of bare patches on my arms ;) Yes, wife thinks I'm nuts.

So after a full week of procrastinating (cowardice), I tried the SR. Sideburns went too fast so I went on to do the whole side of my face both left and right, switching hands. I got overconfident and tried my neck and the razor just pulled and skipped. Ok, that's enough. Did the rest with the M3.

Day 2 couldn't get here fast enough. WTG on sides and jaw. Neck still pulled but I didn't want to give up so I tackled my chin. Cleft and all. Not pretty (no nicks tho) but still a sense of satisfaction. Cleaned up with M3

Day 3 I decided I would NOT use the M3 on the sides so they got a full 3 passes. Very nice. I also finally got my neck. Not sure what I did different (lather? angle?) but it went ok. No nicks. I also went after the upper lip. PAINFUL my friends. And that was just the WTG pass. I started doubting the sharpness of the razor but after reading on here all the other stories I know it was technique... Cleanup with the M3. I hope I don't get dependent on that.

Day 4 (this morning) I decided I would absolutely NOT use the M3. Sides went great. Jawline went great. Chin did not go so well. Major nick. I would go ahead and call it a cut but after holding the flap of skin down it stopped bleeding and seems fine. Neck went ok (that dang adams apple has ALWAYS been a bear). Upper lip went FANTASTIC. I really took my time and kept the lather applied. I did WTG and XTG and man it feels smooth. Not BBS but very good. All in all very satisfied. The sides of my jaw actually look shiny!

Oh, for post-shave I just use Publix brand Witchhazel.

I find it extremely humorous that up to this point in my adult life shaving has been nothing but a dreaded chore yet now I am actually wishing I had to shave twice a day.

Gentlemen, this is exciting.

Geoffrey

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGiver

snip...Chin did not go so well. Major nick. I would go ahead and call it a cut but after holding the flap of skin down it stopped bleeding and seems fine. ...snip

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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).
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zY_O4oZFP1s/TK...s144/photo.JPG

Yikes!

Welcome and Congrats on keeping the Mach 3 on the bench.

I have only been doing in now for two months now and every time it gets better and more satisfying.

I suggest from time to time to check out the shaving video from jockeys

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-closeups.html

Just to catch some pointers and maybe refresh somethings.

Now just try to keep the RAD under control. There is so much cool stuff out there, it is hard not wanting it all.

What is your set-up

Quote:

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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).
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zY_O4oZFP1s/TK...s144/photo.JPG

Yikes!

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I'll score that a (4) and call it a cut,just let it heal up before shaving over it or it could turn into a 6 or 7.

great post , the nick dont to bad if it scar's it'l add character ...exciting yes aint it so ! cheers

All blades demand a sacrafice of blood, and we have all donated to the cause.

Really though, congrats on your first shaves! The first are the most intimidating, after that you realize it isn't as scary or dangerous as you thought it was as long as you pay attention. (You did learn to pay attention right?)

Oh, and ditto on not shaving over it until it is all healed. I did that once, and only once.

@speckey: Thanks, and I've watched (and re-watch) every video I can.

Setup is Dovo Best Quality 5/8, 2" latigo leather strop, Simpson B4 pure badger brush, and unscented shaving soap. It's the kit from SRD.

@nessmuck: Roger that.

@Bazz: nah, it won't scar. I've got some Vitamin E lotion to make sure it doesn't too ;) And yes, VERY exciting.

@markevens: Hopefully that is all the sacrifice required. BTW, your journal is the last one I read before I put blade to face.

Shave this morning was not good. At all. I don't know if yesterday spooked me or what. Hey at least no new blood right?

It will come. How much are you shaving? how much of the face?
You should be doing at most one side. Some of the other members maybe can chime in on their experience suggestions.

No blood is good. One thing the helped me was to do my pre shave and know how the hair falls. I was aware of where the tough spots are. Once my side was done with some skill I moved on. There are still times that I miss something.

Hi Geoffrey,

Congrats on your start. It's quite an accomplishement to shave the right way. Don't get twisted up in your underwear over a small nick, especially in the first week. It will take some time to train your muscles, and your face, to the straight. Continue to take your time while learning. And, I just checked the straight razor rule book and found no entries concerning illegal uses of your previous razor. Remember, it's not a race. Learn at your pace and your face will thank you for it... :beer1:

Congrats and that is a great story. I understand about wishing to shave twice a day. You can only practice shaving while shaving - but you can practice lather making and stropping anytime.

Keep it up - it only gets better.

@dward: :D

@Alembic: Yup, I've been practicing the lathering so much that the wife is getting annoyed. "What are you doing in the bathroom AGAIN?"

I skipped yesterday morning to give my face a rest. Took my time and shaved last night. So much better. No cuts OR nicks. Not especially smooth, but good enough. I kinda just wanted to get my confidence back and I did. Feel much better today.

The question I have is: how do you express the joys of wetshaving (especially with a SR) to your coworkers? Any way I come up with it sounds like bragging/boasting. Oh well, I guess I'm not meant to be an evangelical shaver :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGiver

@dward: :D
The question I have is: how do you express the joys of wetshaving (especially with a SR) to your coworkers? Any way I come up with it sounds like bragging/boasting. Oh well, I guess I'm not meant to be an evangelical shaver :)

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You don't. Here is how this conversation goes.

You: I just started using a straight razor to shave with and it's cool.

Them:
1. Why the hell would you want to do that?
2. Watch you don't cut your throat!
3. Watch you don't cut your head off!
4. You must have something against technology, why not just ride a horse?
5. If I can't do the whole thing in 5 minutes - it's not worth it too me.
6. What kind of a testosterone laden tool would shave with a straight razor?

And my personal favorite...
7. I saw Sweeney Todd - what kind of a sociopath would shave with a straight razor?


You actually have to find somebody that wandered over to the watering hole, cuz you surely are not going to convert somebody that did not already have this in them - YMMV.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGiver

I find it extremely humorous that up to this point in my adult life shaving has been nothing but a dreaded chore yet now I am actually wishing I had to shave twice a day.

Gentlemen, this is exciting.

Geoffrey

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Geoffrey, isn't it strange how such a transformation can happen? Sort of makes one wonder if concentrating on the process's in life instead of simply the desired outcomes wouldn't make other areas of our daily existence more enjoyable as well. Glad to hear you are enjoying shaving so much more now. I hope the magic stays with you.

Keep the posts coming,

Matthew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alembic

You don't. Here is how this conversation goes.

You: I just started using a straight razor to shave with and it's cool.

Them:
1. Why the hell would you want to do that?
2. Watch you don't cut your throat!
3. Watch you don't cut your head off!
4. You must have something against technology, why not just ride a horse?
5. If I can't do the whole thing in 5 minutes - it's not worth it too me.
6. What kind of a testosterone laden tool would shave with a straight razor?

And my personal favorite...
7. I saw Sweeney Todd - what kind of a sociopath would shave with a straight razor?


You actually have to find somebody that wandered over to the watering hole, cuz you surely are not going to convert somebody that did not already have this in them - YMMV.

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This is why I haven't said anything to anyone outside of a very few friends. I know they'd stick numbers 4 ad 6 on me.

Still. It is an awesome feeling to be doing this.

No play-by-play. Shaves are definitely getting better. No further cuts (!). Still working on the lather and the final cleanup. I admit to falling back to the M3 a time or two to clean up my neck.

One issue that has arisen is my face is... peeling? I've never had dry skin before, but this week my face has been flaking something fierce. I'm planning on getting some new soap and some balm but out of desperation this morning I went back to the shave cream/lotion from Lush. MUCH better. The shave itself was very nice too with my only complaint that even after I shaved over an area it was really difficult to stretch the skin (too slick). It was also quite messy and frankly I missed using the brush. Still, face feels good.

Next shave I'll be trying the Van Der Hagen and we'll see how that goes.

Oh. This is the cream I used: lush. Anyone see an issue using this? Perhaps hard on the razor?

Geoffrey

The cut is fine just let it heal and put something on it to help. I have a scar next to my lip because I took a chunk of flesh out and I saw the skin land in the sink.

now thats a cut!

Geoffrey,

It seems like you are the second person who has posted lately about having problems with dry skin since switching to a straight. If you are wanting to find a solution to this, it would be helpful if you told us a little bit more about your shaving routine since using your straight. Are you using any kind of moisturizer after you shave? How about an Aftershave? Is your skin naturally oily or does it have a tendency to be dry?

Now for my personal opinion. First off, in your first post on this thread you said in reference to the Lush cream. "Never gave me a close shave but certainly my skin felt nice after". I imagine it did. That stuff looks more like a face lotion than anything else. If you have been using that for some time you probably dont realize it basically eliminated the need to re-hydrate your skin after shaving. Shaving isn't so easy on our face after all. Using something to sooth and replenish our skin surface is very important, so if you haven't been doing that since using your soap and brush I'm sure that is the reason your face has been dry. Take the time to find a good after shave product and see how it goes for awhile. Perhaps your skin is reacting to the soap you are using as well.

I dont see a problem with that stuff from Lush. In fact it looks like it has some pretty nice ingredients. I dont see why it would be hard on your razor in any way either.

I'm no expert, but that's my two cents.

Matthew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alembic

You: I just started using a straight razor to shave with and it's cool.

Them: Why the hell would you want to do that?

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"Because I can."

This is the one answer I've found that moves a questioner's thoughts from "That's weird." to "Gee, maybe I'm missing out on something..."

Try it. You'll actually see the light change in their eyes. It's awesome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alembic

You:
I just started using a straight razor to shave with and it's cool.
Them:
1. Why the hell would you want to do that?

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Because I can.

Quote:

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2. Watch you don't cut your throat!

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Chicks did scars.

Quote:

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3. Watch you don't cut your head off!

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I'm using a razor, not a chainsaw.

Quote:

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4. You must have something against technology, why not just ride a horse?

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I have something against "stupid" technology. I don't wear polyester leisure suits either. Doesn't mean I want to go naked.

Quote:

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

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Your wife must be thrilled.

Quote:

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6. What kind of a testosterone laden tool would shave with a straight razor?

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The kind that isn't affected by questions containing the words "testosterone laden tool".

Quote:

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And my personal favorite...
7. I saw Sweeney Todd - what kind of a sociopath would shave with a straight razor?

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Well, I saw "Silence of the Lambs". I still like butterflies.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disburden

The cut is fine just let it heal and put something on it to help. I have a scar next to my lip because I took a chunk of flesh out and I saw the skin land in the sink.

now thats a cut!

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OK Cap’t Quint.

Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into our side, chief. It was comin' back, from the island of Tinian to Leyte, just delivered the bomb. The Hiroshima bomb. Eleven hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first shark for about a half an hour. Tiger. Thirteen-footer. You know, you know that when you're in the water, Chief? You tell by lookin' from the dorsal to the tail. Well, we didn't know, 'cause our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. Huh-huh. They didn't even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, chief. The sharks come cruisin'. So we formed ourselves into tight groups. You know it's ... kinda like 'ol squares in a battle like a, you see on a calendar, like the Battle of Waterloo. And the idea was, the shark would go for nearest man and then he'd start poundin' and hollerin' and screamin' and sometimes the shark would go away. Sometimes he wouldn't go away. Sometimes that shark, he looks right into you. Right into your eyes. You know the thing about a shark, he's got...lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eye. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be livin'. Until he bites ya and those black eyes roll over white. And then, ah then you hear that terrible high-pitch screamin' and the ocean turns red and in spite of all the poundin' and the hollerin' they all come in and rip you to pieces. Y'know by the end of that first dawn, lost 100 men. I don't know how many sharks, maybe 1,000. I don't know how many men, they averaged six an hour. On Thursday mornin', Chief, I bumped into a friend of mine, Herbie Robinson from Cleveland. Baseball player, bo'sun's mate. I thought he was asleep, reached over to wake him up. Bobbed up and down in the water, just like a kinda top. Up ended. Well ... he'd been bitten in half below the waist. Noon the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us, he swung in low and he saw us. He's a young pilot, a lot younger than Mr. Hooper, anyway he saw us and come in low. And three hours later a big fat PBY comes down and start to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened? Waitin' for my turn. I'll never put on a life jacket again. So, 1,100 men went in the water, 316 men come out, the sharks took the rest, June the 29, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb.

Mike:boohoo:

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Quote:

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

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Your wife must be thrilled.

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGiver

I still think the biggest difference is just practice

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

Quote:

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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).
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zY_O4oZFP1s/TK...s144/photo.JPG

Yikes!

---

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

Quote:

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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

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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.