Thread: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

I stand corrected RE whose thing it is, thank you!

Yes, exactly, a shaving pass is mostly what you intend, but will include different grain directions along its edges or at its ends or even in its middle. Managing all those variables is just another part of the adventure.

Now get up offa that thang, and shave til you feel smoother!

Have you ever tried to shave your beard exactly with the grain or against the grain in every section of your face? Matching the direction of every area?

You know, I was thinking the other day (about things way too much and way too deeply, as I often do), that, really, everything to do with an actual shave (including the prep) and the evaluation of ALL of it, is a very subjective and personal thing for possibly everyone apart from possibly barbers.

Some may think, 'Sir!, shaving exactly across the grain on all areas? Of course! I could do it blindfolded, Sir! Why, I do it twice a day Sir!'.

Others may say 'ATG on all areas; that's impossible, no way! That's CRAZY talk man!'.

See, you might have a LOT of areas that have different paths of growth, where someone else may have one or two; and on lightly 'vegetated' areas.

Same deal with how often to strop/hone, etc; what soap works, what doesn't; you've only got you to experiment on.

Now, if you shaved ten men a day, THEN you could know some things!

I just realised what I'm really saying, with ridiculously verbosity, is that your experiences may vary. I think there's even an abbreviation, but why use four letters when you can use lots, with punctuation scattered with utter abandon and relish? :-)

Love it! And don't worry, there's nothing wrong with superfluous verbosity. If you're a fan of words, I'll share my favorite with you... It is quite possibly the most perfect word in the english language. It describes itstelf... Pedantic - using big words to make one's sef seem smarter.

Anyhoo, the more I dig into this new shaving hobby the more I see that it's very much a personal experimentation journey type of thing rather than (pardon the pun) a cut and dry thing... About the stropping though... I thought that it was a before you shave every time thing?

Yep, strop every time, before you shave to prep the blade, and before you put it away, to clean the microspecks of soap scum etc.

Well hallelujia and pass the pre-shave... My first shave-ready blade came in! BIG Thank you to Classic Edge razors! Everyone should purchase from them, they are GREAT! Best customer service EVER and a damn fine looking blade! So I had to wait a couple of days before using it but this morning I tackled it with gusto! I apologize to the uber shavers in the forum but I went for the whole shave right out of the gate. I was just too excited and the first pass right down under the side-burns just went too well... It felt good, it felt natural, and even though I did the second pass with my regular old disposable cargridge razor, it was STILL smoother! MMMOOOOAAHAHAHAHAHAHA (evil guy laugh)!!!! I did nick myself in 3 places but VERY minor and actually stopped after a cold rinse. It didn't flow as smoothly as I figured it would, but I imagine that will come with time. I definately need to work on keeping a more consistent angle as I shave and I found the chin to be very difficult, but I did it! One pass over the whole face! I'm totally addicted to the straight razor shave!

Excellent, that sounds like a winner shave.

I always find my nicks stop bleeding way before I even put a shirt on for work; the nicks from a really sharp razor are so neat and clean they seal really well (for me; for the few I've had).

I'm not entirely sure a consistent angle is actually needed. I noticed today how steep my angle was in parts, esp on the jawline; way above 30 degrees. But I always go really shallow with the angle when I do an ATG pass; and only with a sharp razor.

I was just as elated after my first shave as you sound, I'm very happy for you :-)

Carl

I'm so happy you liked the razor!!! Enjoy!!!

24 hours later and I'm looking for reasons to shave again. What's wrong with me? I'm looking for reasons to shave? I'm used to looking for reasons NOT to shave! I'm also thinking I might have to start shaving at night so that I can take my time with it and REALLY enjoy it!

I must admit I inadvertently gave myself a really bad nick once. If you nick yourself bad enough it looks pretty manly, like scarface for a day!