Thread: First Shave completed successfully!!! At least the cheeks :)

Originally Posted by ace

Don't lose sight of the fact that everyone on this forum who is ahead of you in the process of straight shaving was once where you are right now. Some had mildly better first and second shaves, some worse. All the people on here who appear to you to be experts were once standing in your shoes, perhaps scared to death, uncertain of how to proceed, not sure what went wrong. All your mistakes are lessons. Just take your time and learn from them. We all did.

+1. I know of at least one person, possibly me, who had to have part of his left earlobe stitched back to his face after initially trying to learn to shave left handed. Several years later and I'm glad I kept at it when I had every reason to quit.

Congratulations keep the good work up. You will be shaving like a pro in no time.

Allow me to add my congratulations to your successful first straight razor shave.

As previous posts suggest, you may have applied too much pressure the second day. You are correct to skip shaving for a day or two. Believe me, your face and beard aren't going anywhere.

Next time try to relax and don't apply as much pressure as you shave. This will be difficult at first. But as you gain in confidence, it will become second nature to you.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Next update!!

After holding off for 2 1/2 days I shaved tonite.

I'm so friggin happy with my results I can't hardly take it. I did so good. I shaved 90% of my face tonite. I was just a lot slower, really, really soaked my face before starting, like for 10 minutes, hot as could be, with the wettest soaping I have ever done.

I left off all the crap, like the oil rub, etc. and focused on taking my time and doing one spot until I could hold the razor to my face without fear. This time I started by laying it flat against my skin and then bringing the angle up slowly until it was working. THat way I got a feel for the angle that actually shaved. I didn't try my left hand tonite. I just stuck with the right and did a much better job on my left side this time. I just applied that same technique of laying it flat and adjusting the angle until it was shaving.

Of course, I missed tons of spots, got a few razor burn spots, but NO NICKS!!! Amazingly I did not nick myself once.

I did however cut my finger. Don't ask me how, but I tagged myself while drying it with Tissue. It just slightly slid under the top couple layers of skin, but it scared the crap outta me and bled, and hurts.

I told myself if that's the worst nick of the nite, that's pretty friggin good!!!

I feel like I'm on my way men!!! AFter last time, I was so sure. I got my new strop today and threw out the Selective POS that I had wasted my money on. This one I got from Star Shaving and it's is wonderful. I stropped it 40 strokes before, and 40 strokes after. Maybe it was the stropping on a quality strop that made the difference in my face. I don't know.

I'm still pretty much sting city still, but the face is red with pride tonite. It's weird, but I can't wait until tomorrow to be able to try it again.

Thanks for all the support and feedback folks!!

my best to ya ....

witch hazel will help with the redness and bumps!