One week report

It's been one week since my first straight razor shave. The first 3 days were a little bloody and kind of funny. Lynn's video talked about how important it is to use no pressure or very light pressure--As many times as I've watched that video and read the same advice countless times on this web site, my body didn't seem to get the point--hence the blood.
However, after a few of days of healing and using the old DE, I had another go at it today--no/light pressure and lots of attention to the blade angle and I'll be double darned--except for my chin, I got a nice shave with no nicks or cuts--totally cool!
It wasn't totally BBS, but I could have gone to work with it. It took about 30 minutes and 5 re-lathers, but what the heck--it was a lot of fun.

Congrats!

You should know that the first shaves with a straight are not going to be nice. This is because getting a good shave with a straight is much more reliant on technique than other methods of shaving. As a beginner you just haven't developed the feel, coordination, and experience required to get BBS. Dont' fret though. Good things come to those who wait, and if you stick with it you will get the best shaves of your life.

To help nudge you along, aside from pressure, you should also focus on keeping the angle right, and the skin tight. Dont' forget your stropping technique as well.

Oh, and welcome to the club!

Thanks Mark--So much to learn. I think you're exactly right, especially on the coordination. It's a totally different feel.

'Big Grats.

Anyone who can't remember it being difficult at first is LYING!

6 months now, and I remember the carnage well. There's a reason my handle is pinklather.

It does get better. Alot better. Your technique improves, if you hone, your edges improve, and you love the 'event' of the shave. If there's a mistake to be made, I've made it dozens of times - and I'm still really excited about each shave, and cranky when I can't take my time.

Snow took out power this morn. before 5am, not returning 'til 10am. I was surely, to say the least. I tried a blade w/ a new jnat finish and at 6:30, I couldn't find enough growth to test another blade.

On your edges, you may find the smoother finishes helpful - coti or jnat. Sometimes the heavier grinds are forgiving enough to encourage you to try stretch/stoke techniques you'd be nervous about trying. These are remedial, only in the sense that they aren't quite as demanding of technique - which is really the ultimate solution. It will come. You're on your way & will do fine. Hang in there, SM. You're gonna be really glad you did this - and you'll have the best shaves of your life.

Its all part of the learning curve and you are well on your way. Good job sticking with it and its not a race.

As time rolls on, it will only get better.

Pabster