Gave it another shot

A year ago I started wet shaving and was infatuated with my new hobby. However, I did not get the intended results. I got burn, cuts, non-smooth skin, and most importantly a dented wallet. I purchased a Dovo best quality, RupRazor Filly strop, Castle Forbes Lavender, Neutrogena AS, and a crappy synthetic brush –a mix of decent, poor, and high quality equipment to get started. Well it didn't matter if I had top-of-the-line everything or the complete opposite, my technique and patience were the most important and also the most skimped. I was 20 at the time and full of testosterone so I knew I could get this down pat in a few tries right? Wrong! I got nothing but burn, cuts, and a stubbly face. I ended up putting the razor away and going back to using a disposable.

Fast forward to the present:

I don't know what sparked my interest again but I'm glad it happened. Even though it has only been a year of actual aging, I feel years more mature and I've applied my maturity to wet shaving and have been successful. I had no patience at all and I would rush the entire process. One thing specifically that I am doing differently is practicing proper stropping technique. This ensures I am shaving with an actual shave ready razor. Before I wasn't stropping enough due to the excitement of the actual shave and I bet my technique was also poor. I also, like a lot of new shavers, went on to shave the majority of my face the first time and every time after that. Big mistake! Now, I actually practiced my patience and only did my dominant side cheek and did not move on until I was proficient in that department. Long story short, I am now getting really nice shaves. I am still touching up really rounded areas with a disposable until I get better, but each shave brings progress.

My advice to struggling new shavers is to have patience and nice shaves will come. #1) this means patience when it comes to shaving frequency. I know you want to use the razor but don't shave everyday unless you have to. This will cut down on irritation and burn. #2) this means patience with stropping. Make sure you do enough passes with proper technique and do some sort of test to check if the razor is shave ready. #3) it also means have patience with the actual shave. Follow the guidelines and only do your cheeks until you are truly proficient enough to try the neck and chin. Bottom line, it takes practice and if you rush any part of the process like I used to, you'll end up with poor results.

I want to exit with a thanks to everyone who contributes to the forum. I have used the information here to get me started, to see me through failure, and to aid me in my recent success. I apologize for the length however, I needed to reintroduce myself from my one year hiatus. After seeing numerous posts about the trouble some new shavers are having, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and also hopefully provide some motivation to the struggling new shavers. I have been there, I have had worse shaves than with disposables that took longer and costed more but in the end I got it and so can you.

Dan.

Dan, welcome back!

New straight shavers please take note.

Excellent advice for the new starters. It is great to see you gave it another go and were successful.

Good to see you made it back! I believe straight shaving is an Art. Arts enable a lifetime of learning. Even though I am only mediocre at it, my shave is over and above what it used to be, and I can see the results of my efforts and training. This is the way with and the beauty of an art. You don't just learn and do, there is always something else you can learn.....

Enjoy,
Jeff.

In one more year of life you've gained many years of wisdom. If only more of us were so lucky.

Welcome back to the world of straight razor shaving, and many happy shaves to you.