Thread: Jeff's Video Journal: A Beginner Learns Straight Razor Shaving

My pleasure, Jeff. I didn't mean to imply that you were shaky, although in straight shaving that would be understandable.

I meant that you should use arm actions instead of hand actions because they are more controllable and smoother. Try to think of the action being initiated from the elbow with the arm pulling down and the hand following it.

I think your videos are a superb educational opportunity. Please keep them coming. Good luck with your next shave!

SpicyJem-

I just saw your thread and it's a great set of videos so far! I was grinning the whole way through and as most have already said, it's the journey that we all went through the first couple of shaves until you hit that A-HA moment and it all pretty much clicks into place.. you'll figure out how be able to see almost all of the areas you shave in your peripheral vision and what areas you can apply a bit of different techniques to get at the problematic stubble. but since you are running a goatee, you are kind of avoiding the more difficult areas and curves... but learning a straight is plenty adventurous regardless.

great job... I don't think i would have been able to provide running commentary while my first shaves were happening. I was concentrating so hard on grips, pressure, angle, line of sight, etc... but i was thinking the same thing...

As one newbie to another... don't lean too much into the mirror to get a closer look while shaving with the scales open at anything other than 180 or you'll bump the end of the scales into the mirror and nothing good can come of that!

keep it up!

I'm thinking for the next video, I will tackle the moustache and chin area. That should prove to be quite the challenge, because those are areas I don't normally shave even with my old disposable razors. So not only will it be a new adventure in straight razor shaving, but it will be a new LOOK for me as well.....something I'm not sure if the wife will approve of, but we shall see!

One thing I've learned (which most of you probably already know) is that once you really get into straight razor shaving, you're tempted to shave all your facial hair, both for the experience and for the smoothness!

Thanks again to everyone who continues to comment and follow my journey. I feel like you're all here with me!

Big B@lls my friend!! Iam glad i didnt video my first shave! Nobody is laughing for sure cuz we have all been there. To help with a slippery razor,you can get an alum block and rub you wet fingers on the alum and it will give you a better grip,instant traction.

When I think of it I get nervous...but to be truthful my excitement over powers any thing else on this subject, I think I will do very well as I am a perfectionist with ADHD lol, my hubby is the same way as well so we will likely end up as a couple SR gurus in short order.

Getting ahead of myself here...

I really enjoyed the videos Jeff! I mean it is the first time I have seen a beginners video that is so honest and candid, it makes the rest of us beginners and yet to be beginners feel more relaxed going into this art form.

As a lady it will be a bit different for me as my legs are the focus for the blade, and wow about thinking of doing the backs of my legs with a bare blade! I have a slight bit more of a challenge than other ladies...of my OWN doing...as my legs are covered in majority in tattoo so visually it is a lost cause for hair I have to FEEL. But it is close enough for government work as my hubby would say lol.

Please do keep up the videos, very awesome to watch you learn, and it makes others feel good going into this.

Also! Geofatboy on Youtube, his videos are EXTREMELY helpful and is what made my hubby FINALLY give in and start shaving with a DE.

First, well done, in the early days, if you can maintain the standard of bloodless shaves more times than not, you're in great shape. When I first started, switching hands for the left side of my face was really awkward at first but if you force yourself to do it and just take your time, eventually it feels quite comfortable. I've seen other people reach across their face like that and it always makes me cringe. I do however use right hand for left side of the face and visa versa, when I'm going South/North (i.e. from the bottom of the neck up). Your hand cramp reminded me of driving in the winter in Alaska, being a Florida boy, snow driving wasn't my forte so whenever I'd drive in snow for the first winter anyway, I'd be very nervous and as a result, grip the pi$$ out of the steering wheel and get hand cramps. In either case, it's just plain nerves, Don't Be Skeered. As you've seen even on your first shave, you can actually shave with a straight and not sustain grevious injury. A little bit of the nerves tends to go away with each shave and afer a month or so, you'll be surprised that it has become just how you shave. Anyway, great first run, take it easy and above all have fun.

nice idea Jeff.. i'm pretty much brand new too so it's fun to watch how you're doing it
I can only watch so many of the videos that make it look easy.. haha

Jeff,

I wouldn't rush into those areas too quickly because they are the most difficult, at least they've been for me. Those areas require considerable technique, present you with many different angles, and the natural desire to achieve closeness in those areas will be at first dangerous.

When you first try those areas, you'll realize why so many people let their whiskers grow there. I'd be patient with those areas.

About the alum block. I use it on the entire shaved area. It is a good indication on where to pay more attention the next time you shave.

In the beginning of your shaves you keep on applaying lather to your face, that shouldn't be neccesary, you may need more water in the bowl.

Regarding the slippery fingers, some people wipe the lather of in a towel, that way your fingers don't get wet.

You still

Looking forward to the next video

So good news and bad news. The bad news is that I DID NOT film my third shave.

The good news is that I just completed my third shave and it was stellar!

It's definitely getting easier, little by little. I did nick my self a tiny bit in one spot (looks like a thin paper cut) but overall, I think I did my best so far. I did a WTG and XTG on the face, and WTG + AGT on the neck. Irritation is much less, probably due to the less pressure I was using, plus I wasn't going over the same spots without lather first.

The reason why I didn't film it is twofold:

1. I think I only want to film things that I haven't tried before. Otherwise, I'm going to be boring you with the same things, over and over again. My next film will probably be me tackling the chin & mustache area, since that will give a beginner perspective at what it will be like for first timers.

2. I also know that the more I shave, meaning the more passes, the longer the videos can get, and I only have a 15 minute time limit for You Tube.

So thanks to all of you for the comments, suggestions, and support! I really take it all to heart and it's a HUGE help to me! After a few more of my beginner videos (which I will post in this thread), I look forward to filming more "experienced" videos showing what works for me, how I learned certain techniques, etc. in order to GIVE advice instead of just bumbling around as I do now with a razor in my hand!