Thread: It does get easier or at least more familiar .

Hello all ,

I have been using a straight razor for a month now , and finally feel more relaxed with it .
The shaves are still subpar compared to my DEs shaves . Overall , I feel my technique has improved . I'm using two razors . One is a whippeddog special (thanks Larry ) King Steel with yellow scales . The other is a Double Arrow 7/8th with restored black scales and I have a Red Imp Ludo 5/8th coming this week . I may have dulled the King Steel , due to poor stropping - now I'm using a three inch strop with wool felt , that is easier .

I can see how some people would give up (I've read it can take up to 100 shaves to get really good ) , but if you stick with it the feeling of satisfaction is immense . That will triple i imagine , once you can hone an edge and then shave with it !

Wish I had known about DE/SR shaving ten years ago ! Thanks to the internet and forums like this , there is no excuse to at least try the original way to shave !

Cheers and thanks ,

Scott

More familiar - yip. More relaxed - careful!

I'm six months in and as you say it does take time to be at ease with holding 3 inches of sharp steel to your face.

More relaxed - Well yes but I guess that was my downfall this morning. Before completing the second pass I was beginning to think that this is one of the best shaves that I'd had and began searching for what might need a touch up. Whoops! Drew the edge across my chin. Nothing that my stypic friend couldn't stop but.... Relax yes but KEEP FOCUSED.

Hello Ryan ,

I usually nick/cut myself every shave ....then I alum, block it and the blood stops squirting ! I agree , to be too relaxed or shift your focus , that's when you get sliced . My left hand is actually coming along nicely . I can't draw or throw anything with it - but I can shave with it .

I am getting more relaxed each SR shave, but I do pay attention to what I am doing. I have only been SR shaving a little over a month, so I am focusing more on technique and in time the BBS will find its way there. Midloth72, you said you nick yourself each shave, what do you do for your pre-shave prep? How about your razor angle? I'm no expert, but I found from some nicks and burns in the past that if I pre-shave prep properly and watch my blade angle, I can eliminate both irritations. I finally made it to the point of shaving XTG after WTG without nicking, I am focusing on those two techniques after a month of just shaving WTG. ATG will find its way there.
I am left handed and I tried shaving with my non-dominant right hand and I hung it up. I'll cross over with my left hand and judging by the after shave feel and no nicks, I'm doing fine. But if you can shave with switching the razor, more power to you!!
Happy and safe shaves to you!
Patrick

It sounds like all you guys are doing great. Like any acquired skill, straight shaving does take time.

Ace,
Thank you! You are so right, it's an acquired skill that takes time and patience. Of course folks like yourself and others as well as this forum help a great deal!
Patrick

Originally Posted by pmburk

I am getting more relaxed each SR shave, but I do pay attention to what I am doing. I have only been SR shaving a little over a month, so I am focusing more on technique and in time the BBS will find its way there. Midloth72, you said you nick yourself each shave, what do you do for your pre-shave prep? How about your razor angle? I'm no expert, but I found from some nicks and burns in the past that if I pre-shave prep properly and watch my blade angle, I can eliminate both irritations. I finally made it to the point of shaving XTG after WTG without nicking, I am focusing on those two techniques after a month of just shaving WTG. ATG will find its way there.
I am left handed and I tried shaving with my non-dominant right hand and I hung it up. I'll cross over with my left hand and judging by the after shave feel and no nicks, I'm doing fine. But if you can shave with switching the razor, more power to you!!
Happy and safe shaves to you!
Patrick

Hello Patrick ,

Most of my nicks are when I do the moustache area XTG . Left hand for me is tricky , but perserverance is the key !
Glad I switched to SR shaving . I'm curious as to wether, you can strop your razor the night before - then in the morning you can just shave ?
Would save some time before work . Or is it best to strop just before you shave ?

Cheers,

Scott

Hello Scott,
Have you watched any of the shaving videos? I have seen some of them and there are some excellent tips for shaving the moustache area. I wear a full beard so all I shave is my cheek area to keep my beard trim and underneath my jawline and my neck.

I strop my razor the night before because I can take the time to focus on my stropping technique. I get up at 4:15 AM and I need to save some time before work too. I have seen some posts in the forum about people stropping the night before. After I strop, I coat my blade with Camallia (sp?) oil and put the razor into its case. I know the oil is used for long term storage, but I am not taking any chances with this awesome instrument. It would be interested to see what thoughts the long time SR shavers have about stropping the night before.

I love the SR shaving! Even though I am not at the BBS stage, after a SR shave, I am looking over my face with a smile of satisifaction. I never had that with my old Mach 3 and canned gel shaves.

Originally Posted by midloth72

I can see how some people would give up (I've read it can take up to 100 shaves to get really good )

That 100 shave mark is a gross generalization, one I hope will not deter you (or any one else for that matter) from proceeding down this path. I'm sure it has taken some guys around 100 shaves before being able to get BBS shaves; some may have reached that same level around 20 shaves in. It's totally dependent on the individual and their unique skill sets.

One guy had emailed me (from another forum) and said don't expect good shaves until the 100th one . His tone was rather snootish to be honest . Not exactly encouraging , tried to sell me on buying a Dovo or TI razor brand new !! Glad I didn't take that advice . I suppose he forgot that he was once a newcomer to the straights ! BTW ..my shave today was quite decent - no nicks and the moustache area cut free ! Still getting the stropping down . I'm in for the long run !

Scott

Originally Posted by Ryan82

That 100 shave mark is a gross generalization, one I hope will not deter you (or any one else for that matter) from proceeding down this path. I'm sure it has taken some guys around 100 shaves before being able to get BBS shaves; some may have reached that same level around 20 shaves in. It's totally dependent on the individual and their unique skill sets.