First shave last night

I'm been wanting to try straight shaving for a while. Since I just got notice that I'm being laid off in November that put a big hault to any purchasing of supplies. I was looking at getting one of the sight unseen kits from whippeddog.com, when Lazarus offered to let me borrow one of his extras. This was an amazing offer, so I took him up on it and picked it up from his house yesterday evening. It's a nice little 5/8 Boker I believe, freshly honed and stropped.

Once I was home and my daughter was in bed I started getting ready to shave. I did all the pre shave prep, then started.

One thing I noticed was that even though I told myself over and over to only do a little, like is stated in the beginners shave, I just couldn't stop. I did the one swipe, well several little ones actually, then did more. Pretty soon my cheek was done and I was moving onto my neck. Felt a little ackward but I was able to get it done with no nicks. I then did the other side of my face, with my left hand. This felt completely foreign, but I thought I'd try it anyway. Did the same thing, once I started I just couldn't stop. Did the cheek then the neck. Now it was time to do the upper and lower lip, plus the middle of the neck. This took a bit as finding the right angle was a little ackward.

All in all it was a success. Only nicked myself once, and that's when I flinched a little. Not even sure why I flinched, but it's the only nick I got so I'm happy. This was all WTG and turned out just like a shave like that should. I then went back and did an ATG pass with my Fuzion.

Few notes that I got though:

- Lather needs a little more water to start with
- Only lather a small section at a time. I found that I was going so slow and trying to focus on technique that my lather kept drying out on my face. Not a big deal once I did the note above and added a little more water.
- Left hand felt weird, but once I got the grip right and started it was just as steady as my right and I felt like I had control over it.
- I knew these things were sharp, but dang. I can say I've never understood the term "scarry sharp" until last night.

This is a BLAST. I had more fun shaving last night than I've ever had before. I'm really looking forward to my next shave which will be a few days.

I'll keep you guys posted with my progress, especially when I feel comfortable enough to try shaving my head. I do this now with the Fuzion and can't wait to tackle it with the straight.

Congrats on your start, it sounds like you did quite well!

Head-shaving with a straight sounds like a very interesting challenge, though I'm not sure I'd be up for it. I haven't done head-shaving in a few years, but I think I'd go DE first, or maybe start with a partial straight and then DE for the rest.

Good luck and welcome!

Cdrew - 'Big 'Grats!!

'Just felt great, reading. Its a MUCH better start than my own, and I hope all guys contemplating the leap read this.

Kudos for taking your time, and keeping the lather hydrated. When it dries, you're a sitting duck for the nicks. Its not enough to wet the top of dried lather, but use the brush to rehydrate whatever's there, dipping the brush in some water if needed. It keeps the moisture on the stubble rather than a moist layer on top of dried lather. Keep taking your time & keep focus on the feel of your facial skin. We're so visual we get tunnel visioned on looking at the blade. If we pay attention to the feel, its usually the feel of the razor in the hand, rather than the feel of the edge on the skin. The feel on the face is the first and last word on how the stroke is going.

'Really nicely done. Its clear you're gonna just love this. The best shaves of your life are right around the corner. That's not blind encouragement. I think its true. Kick butt, take names, have fun!

Sounds like you're off to a solid start! Welcome aboard!

Congratulations on a great first shave. You are now hooked with a lot of wonderful shaves ahead of you.

Glad it went so well!

Happy Shaving!

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I really enjoyed shaving last night. I ordered a poor mans strop from whippeddog.com and will probably shave again after I get that. I can't wait.

Do you guys think the Art of Shaving stuff is good quality, or should I try something else? I got their beginner kit and like it, but not sure I should buy a big kit or not.

Re: AoS--I haven't purchased any of their stuff b/c I've always thought the prices were a bit high. I think you can get quality that's as good (or perhaps better) for less money if you shop around.

I'm going to pick up some of the Bigelow stuff from B&BW tonight and give that a shot. Hope I can find something cheaper than the AoS stuff.

I feel the same way. What a blast, eh?! Congratulations!