10 shaves in and still having issues

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?

Just stick with it. I am a few months in and have great shaves some days and then there are days where I have mediocre shaves. Just the other day I was concentrating to hard on making my goatee straight that i wasn't concentrating on the point of my Wapi and nicked myself pretty good. Just keep at it and keep asking questions on the forums, or just searching them I learned a lot that way. You will get better as your technique gets better. Good luck and happy shaving.

William

Strange I just posted something a minute or so ago about the left hand problems, I'm having them also.

I wouldn't worry, I think many of the new members claiming BBS is... BS. I feel like aside from the left side of my face I get great shaves but I wouldn't yet consider them to be the best I've had.

I think the time issue will come with more experience. I'm at about the same exact level as you (1 month in) and having very similar problems. I don't nick myself much though but I find when I do it's simply because I hurried through a pass or broke another key rule

A little tip for Ya, for getting some traction on your slippery face. Get yourself an alum block,then wet your fingers and then rub them on the alum block and now put your fingers on your face and stretch your skin,its like velcro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, don't worry about your shave time right now, speed comes with practice. Hell, if I'm taking my time and having a leisurely shave I'm probably approaching the 30 min mark and loving it. Of course, once experienced you can whip off a shave in 10 minutes or under, but what's the fun in that?

Second, don't worry about claims made by others. I will guarantee you that no newb has had a perfect BBS shave on their first try. Unless they think that BBS stands for Blatantly Bad Shave...:w

Our friend nessmuck has already offered the alum block trick for better finger traction, which works well, or else you can just wipe your fingers on a towel. Other than that just keep working on your left hand technique and it's bound to get better. BTW, it's good that you're thinking too much about the shave - it means the likelyhood of getting cut goes down!

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Took me two or three weeks to get to where I could finish my entire shave with the straight. Had to resort to my DE for the chin and the mustache for that long.

It would take me so long to shave one side that the lather was dry by the time I got around to the other. Had to redo the lather. It got better slowly until before I knew it I was doing the whole shave with the straight and faster too.

For stretching keep a towel over your shoulder to wipe your stretching fingers if they get slippery. Read my sig below to avoid nicks and cuts.

Ten shaves is not a lot when you are talking about mastering shaving with a straight razor. If you keep working on your technique things will start to fall into place before you know it. Just relax and don't judge yourself too harshly, it's not a competition. In fact, for many of us it is just the opposite...we try to enjoy the process and sort of find the zen in it.

If you stick with it you will find ways to deal with the problems that you are having. That's where SRP can help. You have a highly skilled group of members willing to lend a hand and make your learning curve a little flatter, so take advantage of it.

The alum trick is right on. I still have some troubles and it has been a couple of years!:D

You are doing well and at about 6 months you will be a far better place than you are now. Just stick with it.


Take Care,
Richard

Welcome to the club!

+1 on the alum trick... I just learned that a couple weeks ago... by accident.

+1 on taking your time and enjoying the shave.

+1 on lurking, asking questions, getting hints from experienced members; the people here are awesome.

I joined not long before you did and was in the same point that you seem to be but it all gets better and better. I still have problems with the whole non-dominate hand thing so I just use my dominate for the whole face. I also look back at what I thought was a good shave and realize it was okay, maybe not as good as I thought at the moment but it gets better and better. The journey is what is the best part, learning something new and getting better at it, finding new (to you) techniques, the right soap/cream, razor, everything.

Bottom line is good luck and its nice having you here.

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Originally Posted by mranderson

I watch youtube videos where guys straight razor shave and they whip through it in a couple minutes.

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All that shows is that they know how to edit videos.

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It takes me about 20 and I still end up and a few minor nicks. Here is where I'm struggling.

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.

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Of course it is. If learning to chord a guitar with the left hand was as bloody a proposition as learning to shave is, there'd be a lot more desolate silence in the world. Keep at it.

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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.

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It's the inter-web. Assume they're lying. :)

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Does it get easier eventually to the point one can relax and enjoy it instead of having to think so much?

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Of course. If it didn't get easier none of us would be here, and there'd be a lot more desolate silence in the world.

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.

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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?

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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.:gl:

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!

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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!

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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!

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Originally Posted by HamburgO

For some reason, SR shaving came very naturally to me. Got the occasional nick here and there, never anything major

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You do realize now that you bragged about this in a public forum that you will give yourself the nastiest, bloodiest gash in the very near future...:w

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

You do realize now that you bragged about this in a public forum that you will give yourself the nastiest, bloodiest gash in the very near future...:w

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Actually, I was thinking of the black knight in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" when I read that part of the post: "It's merely a flesh wound, I've had worse!":rofl2:

I am about 25 shaves in and still climbing the curve. My nicks have gotten fewer and less severe but I still feel like I am ironing out technique issues. I think we are in the majority of new users so keep at it. I haven't gotten the chin area down pat but that is half the fun and challenge. Once you master it, then what?

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Originally Posted by JeffM

I am about 25 shaves in and still climbing the curve. My nicks have gotten fewer and less severe but I still feel like I am ironing out technique issues. I think we are in the majority of new users so keep at it. I haven't gotten the chin area down pat but that is half the fun and challenge. Once you master it, then what?

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You never master it !!!! As soon as you think this is a peice of cake,that blade will make you eat some humble pie,TRUST ME ON THIS ONE HOMESLICE.:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by flyman

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.:gl:

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All good points, especially #4 - for me at least. Baby's Butt Balderdash is right on. We should have a new acronym: BBB. I generally get the DFS: Darn Fine Shave, but almost never take the extra time to attempt the perfection of the vaunted BBS. I shave before going to work and a 2 pass shave is just fine, darn fine, and takes all the time I've allowed for shaving before dashing out the door.

And there you are - ;)

Congrats on shaving with a straight razor! Try not to get discouraged in the beginning. The learning curve is steep. I still do not get BBS shaves and I have been shaving with a straight for over 6months. In terms of getting traction to stretch the skin, try using either a styptic pencil or an alum block on the area where traction is needed. In terms of using the left hand, that just takes time. I try to brush my teeth wtih my left to get build muscle memory and coordination with that hand. Eventually, it will feel more natural. Just keep at and you will get there. I would check out all the links on this forum to good shaving videos. One thing to also keep in mind is to go SLOW. It takes me about 35-45 mins to do a straight shave properly without any cuts or nicks.Good luck with your shaving experience.

try not to get discouraged, being only 3 months in I just the other day was able to complete a full 3 pass shave, w/ only cheeks being BBS. I was about half a month in before I could complete a shave without reverting to the old way to finish and clean. It takes me around 30 min to lather, strop and shave, 45 min for full three pass. Take your time if you rush mistakes/blood will ensue. Just stay patient take your time and it will come.

Ive only had about 10 shaves as you. Dont get down I to have had problems and have only been able to shave every 3 or 4 days because of burns. Were learning and it will take a while as most have probly experianced but today I had a better shave and learned that if I take my time really learn how to stretch my skin right and use a really light touch it went much better. Im only shaving WTG for 2 passes and get smooth enough for me for now. Keep at it and good luck
Glenn

When I started, I only shaved the big easy flat areas with the straight and used my Mach3 for the rest. It took 6 months like this before I expanded my straight range over my whole face. No hurry.

I used a washcloth for traction when stretching soapy skin, but more recently I've found that just-shaved skin is perfectly grippy, so I route my shave accordingly. I start at my neck, about 2" above the lather line, and shave downward toward where I'm stretching the skin. Then I move the whole operation up 2" and repeat. At this point, my grain direction changes and so my grip points and shave strokes change to follow them. For sideburns I grip above, like the diagrams and videos show, and shave downward. Move my grip down and repeat...

As you learn your beard grain you'll determine the best places to stretch from, and directions to stretch in, and develop your own shaving routes. It's just another part of the adventure.

Have fun with it all!