Thread: A Bad Beginner

I had a few days without kids and wife while they went to the dreaded in-laws.

I put the DE away for a few days and used only the straight. The first all-straight shave was terrible as far as a shave goes. I had a beard that showed I hadn't shaved in a day. Just couldn't get it any closer, as after the 5th pass the razor burn was getting uncomfortable. I was not using any pressure, as advised by all. My skin was tight and I got one large scrape (not a nick) on my chin.

Second time (two days later) I got a much better shave with my dominate hand but not really good with my left. I finished only my chin with a DE.

Third time I NEEDED a shave. The stubble was driving me crazy! I started with my right hand and found I have not been stopping the toe of the blade very good, so re-stropped and was happier. The heel shave was nice. I used my left for a "pass" that did little, but was happy with the other side. I then finished my whole face with a DE to BBS and felt good.

IOf course while stropping after the shave, I nicked my Engles blade on the toe on the fabric strop. I can see where it caught the fabric on the blade. It is my first major gaff of stropping.

My progress to date:
-Learned that I need to strop on the toe better.
-Learned that my right hand is getting better.
-Learned my left hand is unskilled at this in any way right now.