Thread: First Three Pass with a Straight! Incredible!

So I've been straight shaving now for only about 3-4 weeks. Before this, I've been using a 1912 and 1914 SE (and a vintage DE adjustable occasionally for fun). Until the shave before last, I'd only do my first WTG pass with the straight, then I'd do the next two passes (ATG and XTG) with the SE or DE. The shave before today's, I tried my first ATG 2nd pass with the straight and all went very well.

Though I didn't plan it, I was having such a great shave today that after two passes with the straight, I went for my third and left the SE in the cabinet! Other than a small cut which I could've seen coming (trying an angle I knew was a bit sketchy), the razor just glided across my face and just erased whiskers like they weren't even there. The razor just seemed to go where ever I wanted it to with ease, using angles and grips I hadn't even tried before today. It just all became like this perfect dance with the blade. I don't know how else to describe it.

The thing is, since starting with the straight I've had very few issues or difficulties. I don't say this to be cocky--not at all. Frankly, I'm kinda stunned. It's not that there isn't a learning curve (with much more to come I know). I've had a couple of weepers, some slight irritation once or twice, a small nick or cut here or there. For the most part my shaves have been close, smooth, and comfortable. So much so that I'm already asking myself why I bothered to shave any other way.

There were a couple of spots on my neck where I didn't get quite as close as I've been able to with three passes of the SE. Mostly, because I could not figure out how to do an XTG pass on my neck with this long blade. My starter razors are not large by the way. I used a 5/8 square point today and my second razor is a 9/16 round point. I wound up using a sort of wiper blade stroke to get close to XTG on my neck, but it wasn't truly XTG.
Is going XTG on the neck actually possible with a straight--am I crazy fool destined for blood?

That last XTG pass with the SE is what makes my shaves really close and my face buttery smooth. I'd love to find a way to get similar if not better results from the straight, even if a true XTG pass is not feasible with one. It seems to me, from what I've read here on SRP and the results I'm already getting, the straight has the potential to shave even closer than the SE. As it is I'm getting close enough shaves with either SE, straight, or a combo of both that I only need to shave every other day. That is only unfortunate because I now enjoy shaving so much that I want to shave more, not less. Go figure...

I had no idea this could be so much fun, even when I was just discovering the site and getting excited, thinking I'd like to try this. Man, straight shaving is just so cool!

Congrats KeithS !
XTG on the neck can be impossible for some of us but by stretching your skin above the jaw line it may be possible to achieve the desired result.
A truly sharp blade takes care of the rest

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Congrats KeithS !
XTG on the neck can be impossible for some of us but by stretching your skin above the jaw line it may be possible to achieve the desired result.
A truly sharp blade takes care of the rest

Ahhh, this makes more sense, I've been stretching my neck skin downward from the bottom of my neck...

--More "Aha" moments--

I decided to shave today with my 1912 SE just for fun (I've got some carbon steel blades I've been wanting to try). I had a BBS three pass with a 4th touch up pass that was heaven. Getting that close, sharp looking shave puts an ear to ear grin on my face every time--I don't think it'll ever get old.

I had an interesting "Aha" moment shaving this morning. I went for a 4th touch up pass today, which is not my norm, but I was feeling great, having another great shave, and I just wanted it even closer and smoother (oh I can see this "endless pursuit" thing coming on big...).

What I noticed was that the two spots on my neck that benefit most from the XTG pass and don't actually grow exactly XTG as I thought.

Had I not really taken the time to feel my face carefully for any small signs of stubble I would have missed this. Those two spots actually benefit most from an angle in between XTG and ATG. This is an angle that seems much more realistic to obtain with my straight than a pure XTG pass.

So the SE is teaching me possible angles I can use with my straight which will make my straight shaving even closer and more enjoyable. I wasn't expecting that but it's an added bonus to an already fantastic shave today!

Along with the advice to stretch the skin upwards I don't expect having as much of a challenge giving that area a closer pass.