Thread: Not sure what to think

"I wasn't stretching the skin & my angle was too steep."

I revisited that one this morning. It's funny what a sharp blade
will do to skin that gets bunched up in front of it. But each cut
is another opportunity for learning, and, if so, I must be getting really
smart!

I suggest all new first time straight shavers read this.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...n-apology.html

Just be patient and keep at it. Just when you think str8 razors aren't for you, you hands just magically give you a magnificent shave.

Good luck !

Originally Posted by Shoki

I think the recommendation to a brand new straight shaver should be:

• Do a proper face prep
• Do a 1-pass shave with whatever method you are currently using.

Then:

• Do a single pass with your new straight.
• Start with the dominate hand on the dominate side then proceed as comfort permits.
• Follow up if needed with your normal method.

This can be repeated each shave until the shaver is comfortable enough to skip the previous shaving method and or clean up.

--Shoki

I agree with this, but it is important that a beginner has an idea of good technique and start developing it. They can follow your advise, and still focus on those 3 fundamentals I mentioned while actually shaving.

If they aren't made aware of these basics of technique, they may know that the first shaves won't be great, but their learning curve is going to be a lot longer and more difficult than someone who is aware and is actively focusing on them. Look at ace's post above:

"I wasn't stretching the skin & my angle was too steep."

I revisited that one this morning. It's funny what a sharp blade
will do to skin that gets bunched up in front of it. But each cut
is another opportunity for learning, and, if so, I must be getting really
smart!

If nobody told him that skin stretching and angle were important, he may just quit with the misconception that straights are super dangerous and will cut your face up.

Originally Posted by markevens

I agree with this, but it is important that a beginner has an idea of good technique and start developing it. They can follow your advise, and still focus on those 3 fundamentals I mentioned while actually shaving.

If they aren't made aware of these basics of technique, they may know that the first shaves won't be great, but their learning curve is going to be a lot longer and more difficult than someone who is aware and is actively focusing on them. Look at ace's post above:If nobody told him that skin stretching and angle were important, he may just quit with the misconception that straights are super dangerous and will cut your face up.

Yeah It was a rookie mistake on my part not to stretch out the skin.
The razor was tugging & then I realized I wasn't stretching! The first time around I was too focused on angle. A new lesson I learned right off the bat
with a straight: Visualize.

Originally Posted by Kilgore

Yeah It was a rookie mistake on my part not to stretch out the skin.
The razor was tugging & then I realized I wasn't stretching! The first time around I was too focused on angle. A new lesson I learned right off the bat
with a straight: Visualize.

Yeah, I had the same problem. I would be getting the angle right, and realize I was using pressure or not stretching well. Or I would get a really good stretch going and have nice light pressure, and my angle would get too high or too low. I ended up setting up a good stretch before touching the razor to skin, then while I did the stoke saying, "angle, pressure, angle, pressure..." in my head.

Originally Posted by Shoki

I think the recommendation to a brand new straight shaver should be:

• Do a proper face prep
• Do a 1-pass shave with whatever method you are currently using.

Then:

• Do a single pass with your new straight.
• Start with the dominate hand on the dominate side then proceed as comfort permits.
• Follow up if needed with your normal method.

This can be repeated each shave until the shaver is comfortable enough to skip the previous shaving method and or clean up.

Take your time and enjoy the learning process. The simple straight blade shave is rewarding and will come in time.

--Shoki

This is great advice!

Just an update, I finally completed a full (with the grain) shave today, no nicks or cuts!

I think I'll start attempting ATG sometime later this week, taking things slow seems to work. It really just seemed like a matter of "getting the feel" for it before I really got going.

Originally Posted by ats200

Just an update, I finally completed a full (with the grain) shave today, no nicks or cuts!

I think I'll start attempting ATG sometime later this week, taking things slow seems to work. It really just seemed like a matter of "getting the feel" for it before I really got going.

I didn't find the ATG pass as intimidating as I thought it would be, probably because I'd had good luck with it using a DE. The XTG attempts are far more difficult for me, especially around the mustache area, around the mouth, and especially across the chin.

I've only been shaving with a cut throat for a very short time myself.

What I've found to be the best indicator of whether I've got the angle right is the sound the razor makes. Too shallow and you don't hear any of the hairs getting cut and too steep and you can hear the blade bouncing over the stubble, not cutting it.

The best way I can describe is it sounds like running your thumbnail over sandpaper when you get the angle right. If I don't hear the hairs getting cut I know its time to take the razor off the face and come in with a new angle.

Obviously, it is next to impossible that you were sent a razor that was not shave ready that was sent personally honed by Lynn. I only say nearly impossible because I don't believe in the existence of impossibility. That is, unless there is a counterfeiter out there. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but Lynn and company have grown the SRP enterprises to the point that they (within the world of wet shaving, at least) are household words. Think of all the knock-offs there are out there. It's big business. Maybe I've had too much caffeine?