Thread: My First Shave

Well...After MUCH anticipation...My First Straight Razor shave is in the books !!!!! This is the beginning of a great learning experience. I think I did relatively OK considering I've NEVER held a straight in shaving fashion before. I did my right cheek. Although I did get a few nicks, I was pleased with how much I was able to learn about holding the razor. I am still VERY much a novice with a lot to learn. I would really appreciate any suggestions y'all can give regarding technique and closeness (preferably gong with the grain) as I have a heavy beard. Is it even possibly to get baby's butt ging with the grain? All for now. I'll keep y'all posted on my progress. And, thanks in advance for any advice.

From one newbie to another. After almost 2 months I can get bbs on my cheeks but that's about it. My edge may be a little off due to nicking my strop. I can get a pretty good overall shave just not bbs, and I get minimal razor burn and very few nicks.

It's a journey, enjoy the ride!

Welcome ot SRP! You will progress, that's for sure. Just take it slow and enjoy the shaves. I have a heavy, coarse beard myself and only do two passes to avoid ingrown hair for I have pretty sensitive skin. Therefore I do not get a bbs-shave against the grain. With the grain the result is similar to a bb.

Do not be afraid to ask!

Good to hear your success. It just keeps getting better and easier. One day you will finish up and while slapping the after shave on and rubbing it around you will realize there ain't no stubble. Skin stretch and blade angle take time to develop. It is possible some areas won't respond well to ATG. If you can do it with a DE you will likely be able to get there with a straight.

Way to go! Keep paying attention to your angles, direction of whisker growth, and skin stretching and you'll be fine.

As far as bbs from only WTG passes--I've been straight shaving for 2 years and have not achieved bbs with only WTG--but then, even back in the bad old days when I was shaving with a cartridge, I didn't get bbs that way either, so for me it's always been a case of WTG followed by ATG. Some time ago I saw a post from fellow member hi_bud_gl, who said bbs from WTG only is achievable with close attention to angles and skin stretching. But I think it also has to do with how your whiskers grow. I've got several places where my whiskers grow out almost flat against the skin, so WTG is pretty worthless in those places--I have to stretch the skin in the opposite direction of their growth and go ATG.

Thanks all for the advice and encouragement. I'm looking forward to soem good shaves. Also, I've got my father interested. Maybe I'll get him on here with us as well!! Take care!

Any suggestions on pressure against the skin and how to tell when it's enough?? Outside from the sight of blood ()

NO pressure. You should think of it as wiping off the lather. The whiskers just vanish. Just a the lightest kiss of a stroke against the skin but with a firmness which will carry it through the hair. Start with holding the blade flat to the skin and then slowly raise the spine up to where it begins to cut. Lower is better lighter is better.

Thanks jas...I was wondering that I might be going a little heavy handed.

It's tempting (and too easy) to up the pressure when you feel as if your razor isn't cutting the whiskers. However, the only thing that more pressure accomplishes is razor burn.