Thread: 10 shaves in and still having issues

Don't be overly concerned with time. I hardly have a shave that's under 10 minutes. That's not because I can't do it, but usually if I need to shave that fast I will skip it for the day because it's not enjoyable and I will end up feeling rushed and actually disliking the shave. I feel like I have done a crappy job and am unsatisfied. I usually allow a good 15-20 minutes for a shave, and depending on how smooth I want to go and how picky I want to be with making my goatee and sideburns perfect (like for a wedding or something) I have taken as long as 45-50 minutes. Proficiency will come with time but right now 10 shaves is nothing to worry about.

I totally agree.

If time is an issue, there's no law you have to shave with your straight razor every time you shave. set aside an hour or so on the weekends. eventually you'll cut time off your shaves as your comfort with the blade increases and you build muscle memory.

One thing to keep in perspective is that good things take time. Straights are capable of better shaves, but take more time to do so. Most people who shave in 10-15 have either been at it for years and have WELL over 10 shaves under their belt, or have come to accept less results. there's nothing wrong with that either, considering even the best shave wears off after 6-8 hours (depending on the beard).


Also, think of razor burn as highlighting trouble spots. you know where to slow down and try new approaches at the spot. perhaps change your shave direction, or angle. make sure you put plenty of time in-between shaves for now, so that your skin will heal.

As for stretching, i've found that i just do my face in phases. when i shave the neck and lower chin, i only lather that are so that the rest is dry and has plenty of traction. then vise versa.

Just some opinions from a fellow beginner who is now doing much better than now than he was at the 10-shave mark.

Originally Posted by mranderson

I watch youtube videos where guys straight razor shave and they whip through it in a couple minutes. It takes me about 20 and I still end up and a few minor nicks. Here is where I'm struggling.

1. skin stretching. I'm finding that I can't stretch the skin where I've just shaven because its still slick from the lather. So I can only pull from my sideburns and the base of my neck.

2. Left hand. While I'm better than I was when i first started, using my left hand to shave the left side of my face is still awkward. Using the right for the left face is even worse. So that side is guaranteed to get nicks.

I see about a post a week in here where some noob like myself gets BBS across his entire face, first try. Or at least it seems that way. Should I stop before I need reconstructive surgery? Does it get easier eventually to the point one can relax and enjoy it instead of having to think so much?

First of all, +1 on all the comments already posted. But I think it bears repeating:

1. Skin stretching: Are you rinsing after each pass? I tried not rinsing after reading a post about it here 2 months in and I haven't looked back. I now only rinse once the shave is over (before touch ups). It makes stretching on subsequent passes much easier. YMMV

2. Left hand: Time. It's that simple. Just let it happen. For that matter, same goes for timing the shave. Just enjoy it.

3. The videos: I had the same feelings when I watched them. I think half of them are embellished as well as being made by long-time veterans of str8 shaving. Don't be discouraged and especially don't think you'll shave that effortlessly any time soon. You want to see a real str8 shave with no bull? Check out Lynn's video. Very real and very informative. No smoke and mirrors or loud rock music. All due respect to those who make the latter type, but that's more entertainment.

4. BBS on first shave: It's been said already: balderdash.

I use a small peace of wash rag to stretch my skin. Just a small squar.

Give yourself about 90 more shaves before you even start thinking about BBS. Forget the time, this isn't a race.

It's just like everyone's said, it's not a race. The main purpose in shaving with the straight is attempting to achieve that BBS shave, but at the same time to enjoy yourself and take your time while doing it. I'm sure there are some people who can achieve the same results all the time, but they have been doing this for a long time. Stretching the skin, is not easy at first, but when you find the angle of grain in your hair, you skin will naturally stretch a bit more in that direction, it all has to do with the elastisity of your skin. Give your hair a couple days to find this, then you'll find it becomes easier, other than that everything else just takes practice. Keep it up, it took me forever it seems. Best of luck.

I'm about 40 shaves in and recently realized that BBS is probably an inappropriate goal at this time. I shave before work, so I can't take too much time with it, not as much as I might like. I suppose it is possible to get a BBS shave the first time out, but it took me 20 shaves to get to the point where I could and that took me 30 minutes of touching up.
Now I just try to get a decent shave, note the mistakes I've made, and try to do better next time. Each shave gives you something to learn from and each learning experience makes you better at it. It does take time. I could get a BBS shave with my Pro Fusion in two minutes. It takes me 5 minutes to do it with a DE. But shaving with a straight is worth the extra time. Some day I'll work on getting a BBS shave, but for now having fun with my shaving is more important than perfection. Just relax, shave, and learn from each shave. It'll come.

For some reason, SR shaving came very naturally to me. Got the occasional nick here and there, never anything major, but shaves were much smoother from the get-go than with a Gillette Fusion, and my skin felt better.

In my case, I think I had the benefit that some older (male) (:biggrin relatives in my chldhood were still using straights, and I got to watch them. Also, whenever I found a barber who still used SR, I would occasionally treat myself to a shave. Finally, and this may or may not be a factor for you, but I've had a lot of edged weapons training and feel extremely comfortable with all kinds of knives... I can fully understand if people need some time to get used to drawing a wicked blade across their face!

Originally Posted by HamburgO

For some reason, SR shaving came very naturally to me. Got the occasional nick here and there, never anything major, but shaves were much smoother from the get-go than with a Gillette Fusion, and my skin felt better.

In my case, I think I had the benefit that some older (male) (:biggrin relatives in my chldhood were still using straights, and I got to watch them. Also, whenever I found a barber who still used SR, I would occasionally treat myself to a shave. Finally, and this may or may not be a factor for you, but I've had a lot of edged weapons training and feel extremely comfortable with all kinds of knives... I can fully understand if people need some time to get used to drawing a wicked blade across their face!

Yeah, i picked it up somewhat easily too. I'm a knifenut myself, and have worked with blades since a young age, so i'm quite comfortable with them.

I believe my earlier woes were due to a fantastically dull edge, really. the only shave i've had with edges that weren't my own, was with a derby blade in my recently acquired shavette, which was quite good.

I've never tried a safety razor, but i've actually never been able to get particularly close with my gilette fusion. at least not easily.

You've allready been given some great advice and tips. Just stick with it and relax If you focus too much on getting it perfect then thats when the nicks etc happen..it is possible to concentrate too hard...lol. I still get the odd knick here or there and if a shave takes me less than 20mins then it just wasn't that enjoyable Relax and have fun with it..it'll come together before you know it!