Thread: First shave!

Be forewarned, RAD is super contagious. In fact, you're probably already infected.

3 shaves down. I skipped on Saturday out of laziness. No cuts, no irritation. Getting a smooth shave every time. Still doing 2 WTG and one XTG passes. I'm doing 2 WTG because I sometimes miss a little bit but with the 2nd pass and the ATG I haven't had to touch up anywhere with the cartridge. Not BBS but then I wouldn't expect it to be without ATG. It's closer then a brand new cartridge at this point though. Still waiting on the Dovo but the GD is doing fine. If anything today was smoother then the last 2, maybe due to more stropping, maybe due to better technique.

I read some other people's stories and wonder what they're doing wrong? This isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I do have the advantage of having used soap and a brush for years though so I know how to make a wicked lather. I think the main thing is pressure. Don't press the razor into your face and then take your time. The razor just glides over my skin, doesn't even feel close to cutting except on the middle of my neck but tonight I tried pulling the skin to the side and I had no problem there either. I have a goatee and find the straight AMAZING for trimming around the edges. PERFECT straight lines, you literally can pick out one errant hair and lop it off. I don't find the rounded tip to be an impediment there either.

As for RAD, I'm on ebay every day. Haven't bid since that first one I lost but I will when I see the right razor. Or 2. Or more.

Congrats on the first shave!

Nice work! Your pre shave prep sounds really good.

Originally Posted by thuktunflishithy

...
I read some other people's stories and wonder what they're doing wrong? This isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I do have the advantage of having used soap and a brush for years though so I know how to make a wicked lather. I think the main thing is pressure. ...

Honestly I think people psyche themselves out. It's not rocket science, but if you treat it like it is you are not going to start well I think.

PS Also I think skin is not all the same (well obviously). But I have a really sensitive neck and such as far as razor burn goes but cutting is hard to do. I can only imagine some people are different and nick much easier which would be a speed bump in getting started.

Originally Posted by Vova

I think skin is not all the same (well obviously). I can only imagine some people are different and nick much easier which would be a speed bump in getting started.

Good point.

Did my 4th shave today, best one yet. Only 1 WTG and 1 XTG this time. Still no nicks or cuts. I don't think I'll cut myself actually shaving, it'll likely happen when positioning the blade for a stroke. Had a couple of times where if I was bit sloppier I would have nicked myself. I moisturize really well daily, not just when shaving. I have psoriasis and have always had dry skin. I think the moiaturizing helps to avoid cuts, I read somewhere it makes the skin more supple.

I'll NEVER go back to a cartridge. I'll still have one around for shaving other areas I wouldn't go near with a straight and don't feel the need to be BBS smooth anyway so won't risk a DE but that thing will never touch my face again. I can't get over the lack of tugging I was used to for so long. 25 years of pulling hairs has ended. I laugh when I see the commercials and see the blades pulling the hairs out first and then cutting and think to myself how did anyone ever think this was a good idea?

Still waiting on the Dovo...

Just wanted to drop a note. I had neck irritation ever since I started shaving when I was 14. 18 years total of having bumps all over my neck. YIKES! 4 Weeks after I started using a straight razor, every single one of them was gone. Now it probably isn't the same for everyone, but for me that was the clincher.

Best advice? Just take your time... It will all slowly come together. I worried about how long it was taking me the first month I was shaving, and then I decided to just set up a routine. Preshave prep (Noxzema original), hot towel, lather, strop, wtg, xtg, atg, splash of cold water, clean up, apply aftershave to skin once dry. Soon it was second nature, and I wasn't even thinking about the steps.