Thread: What is the first thing you did?

I shaved in the shower with a Straight razor once.......ONCE!!!!

You can read all about it here. I wanted to document my learning experience for posterity.

Mine was today and I was scared...

The first shave with a straight was a down stroke on the side burns and cheek and then i looked at my other cheek and the lather had dried up!! Had to re-lather and had to put a sharp object in my left hand ( not a good thing) I could'nt do it!! So i put it down,for another day. I watched more you-tube shaving and gave it another try. Buy this time i rolled the edge on my strop,too much pressure,and poor stropping.Back to DE shaving while the razor was out getting a new edge. Watched more videos,and said dont be a pussy and get-r-done!!! I did it!! and it was the worst shave i ever had. But i kept the faith and kept trying and within 5 months,the shaves were coming around. If it was easy everybody would be shaving with a straight!! So give it hell but go slow and have fun!!

uh maybe the first week? first month def? I learned not to shave naked stepping out of the shower when I dropped the razor and chipped it I pulled my hand back from my initial reaction to try and catch it *shakes head* so uh.. try to keep your hand dry and not wet and soapy wipe the tang off on a towel as need be? and wear a bathrobe or towel or something?

I watched the videos and went for it. Only shaved the sides for a few days and then went for other areas of my face as my confidence built. I also practiced stropping with a dull razor I had before moving to the good one.

My VERY first week shaving with a straight razor...

1. Honed uncertainly on waterstone. Stropped a bit less uncertainly on old belt.
2. Received razor-burn.
3. Repeated steps 1 & 2 for about 3 days.
4. Let face recover. Hone the living crap out of my razor and strop until my arm dropped off.
5. Had another shave. Actually managed to shave! Going was slow and a bit tricky, and it the razor still needed a bit more stropping perhaps, but I was getting there.

By the end of the second week, I reckon I'd mastered the basics. I hadn't yet achieved a ***perfect*** shave, but I was getting there.

Hid the package from my wife

First thing I did attempting to shave. Cut my earlobe

first thing I did was ignore everyones suggestions, and went straight into a full facial shave. Well, I ended up getting some nice cuts on my neck, and some serious razor burn. The biggest tip I can give, is let the weight of the razor do the work. Hold it lightly, and take short passes, and keep the angle right, or it will dig in. I've been shaving with a straight for about 10-11 months, and just finally got a really nice shave the other day. So, don't get discouraged, it will take time. Read up on the forums, and watch some videos. It will take time, but you will get a great shave in awhile. Remember to enjoy it, and not stress. It's nice to know you can manipulate a sharp blade on your face, rather then a disposable.

Originally Posted by FreyGrimrod

uh maybe the first week? first month def? I learned not to shave naked stepping out of the shower when I dropped the razor and chipped it I pulled my hand back from my initial reaction to try and catch it *shakes head* so uh.. try to keep your hand dry and not wet and soapy wipe the tang off on a towel as need be? and wear a bathrobe or towel or something?

Oh yeah. I never shave in less than boxers and socks.