Thread: Pre-straight shave

For someone who is just beginning the straight razor
shave journey, there is lots of advice about doing
"partial" shaves at first (ie, cheeks only, WTG) and
then finishing off with your non-straight razor.

May I suggest an alternative: first, do a complete shave
using your non-straight razor, and THEN proceed to a
straight razor shave...to whatever degree you are
comfortable. I'm talking about doing both in a single
shave session, and all the requirements of razor and
beard prep apply.

The rationale for this: 1) the initial non-straight shave
will likely do a decent job on your trouble spots, making
them of lessor concern when you get to the straight;
2) there will be less of a struggle with beard density,
which will allow for a "finer" touch with the straight.

There will be plenty of stubble left to work on following
the non-straight shave, and you will notice the
improved closeness of the straight razor shave.

Just a suggestion...It might make the transition to a
"pure" straight shave a little easier.

Paul

I actually find it easier to shave longer growth with a straight than the stubble.

I like your suggestion. I might even impliment it when I'm doing my XTG and ATG passes.

The idea itself seems fine, but I think that's too many passes in one shave for a lot of folks. More than 3 passes and I get irritation problems.
Maybe try a straight shave 12 hrs (or whenever you have some 'shadow') after your regular shave?

As a newbie to straights myself, I'm going to have to disagree here.

Perhaps part of the reason is my DE, I use a Merkur Vision, which is adjustable for aggressiveness. (I use a medium setting, which is about all my face can stand on the Vision).

But, the Vision at this setting gives such a close shave, that I have hardly any stubble left at all! What there is occurs in my "problem" areas, which I so far have had a difficult time trying to reach with a straight, too.

I have to agree with Markevens here, in that the more stubble I have, the easier it is for me to work with a straight.

In my first 2 weeks with shaving with a straight, by the time I was done, I looked like I had a 5 o'clock shaddow.

But, I figured the only way I was going to learn to shave with a straight, was to shave with a straight. (I didn't do the partial shave method either, I just decided to do my whole beard).

My first attempts were pretty dismal. However, now with some more experience, my results are getting better and better.

I attribute this to actually making a commitment to shave with a straight all the time.

But, of course, that's just me (and I'm a pretty obstinate and opinionated SOB, so that might have a large part to do with it).

But, I don't mean to say this wouldn't work for someone else. However, in my own experience, I don't think it would have worked for me given my personality.

Kent

Originally Posted by PaulKidd

first, do a complete shave
using your non-straight razor, and THEN proceed to a
straight razor shave
Paul

I think this is an interesting idea. Have you tried it?

For me, I prefer to wait a day or two between shaves because the shave is much closer and more comfortable when my whiskers are a little longer. This makes me wonder whether pre-shaving would make the straight shave any easier or more comfortable.

On the other hand, I try to practice the gradual whisker removal technique, rather than trying to scrape all the whiskers off at once, so on my second pass, I should be around where you would be after the pre-shave.

If I still had a Mach 30, I'd try it.

One of the best parts of shaving is that you get to try these kinds of ideas. For me the best idea I've encountered is to use a hot towel right before shaving. Even if I do everything else lamely, if I had just heated my hair, it makes it soft enough to make up for any other things: not so sharp razor, not the 'perfect' lather, pre-shave oil, or anything else. Keep it warm. Hope that helps.

I've recently bought a real straight razor, a Dovo, to replace the disposeable bladed one I was using but I'm still having a lot of trouble with XTG on my chin and jaw line. I can do WTG now with absolutely no burn or nicks. Can't get close enough with ATG. Any advice for skin stretching or anything else that would make this easier?