Thread: First shave tonight!

First straight razor shave a success! I know that the recommendation was that I do only the dominant-hand side, sideburn to jaw first time. But by then I had enough of a "feel" for it that I was able to tackle both cheeks and my neck. First pass was kinda' rough-hewn (hadn't shaved in a few days), so did a second pass and it was like going through butter: smooth as silk.


Not a single nick or cut.


Of course: it's summer time and I'm rockin' the goatee and mustache, so I didn't need to try and tackle the hard parts: upper lip and chin.


Oh, but I DEFINITELY need more practice. And the hand angle on the left side of the face when you're supposed to use your left hand (and you're right handed)? AWKWARD! Heh heh.

Now, I'm not a fan of being clean shaven. I almost always have some kind of facial hair. But this WAY outdid my Gillette Sensor Excel 2-blade dealie.

Forgot to pre-shave at all except for a hot shower. Need to invest in something for that (any recommendations?). Post-shave was a little alum/water solution and some facial moisturizer.

Can't wait to try it again soon! As early as tomorrow morning? Not sure about that.

Cheers!

Grats on your first shave! There are tons of pre and post shave stuff on the market which vary in price. I have only used pre shave oil such as AOS and Body Shop. You have the pre/post Proraso product which looks like a cream. I have never used it though. But there are many who like it. There are home brew options. For example, I took some Jojoba oil, glycerin and EO to make a pre shave. Worked Ok.

Well done! It's exciting, isn't it?

You'll find after a little while, maybe six weeks or so, you'll get comfortable using your left hand for the left side; but some people only use one hand.

I always loved Proraso pre shave cream, but I've stopped using it until I get the new formula. These days I'm not using any pre-shave cream, though at times I do use a moisturiser that consists of a bunch of oils..

I hope you're having lots of fun, I find the whole deal really exciting and you just get better and better each day...

Congrats and +1 on what Carl stated. The shaves only get better as you move forward.

Congrats! It's a good feeling.

I'd recommend the Proraso Pre/Post shave cream. It's got a bit of menthol to wake you up and it seems to help soften those whiskers and provide added glide.

The little jar has lasted me for 4 months and I still have at least another month or so left in it. Obviously a little goes a long way.

Reminds me I need to stock up

Congrats on a great first shave, you will now become a shaving addict! Welcome to the club!

Congratulations and I hope this was the first of many successful and comfortable shaves.

Just one bit of advice from a fellow newbie, be as careful and stay as vigilant on your next shave, as you were on you last/first one.

Andy

If you want to try something different as a pre shave, there is a product called John Allan's Slick Water - it's pretty expensive over here (UK) but you will probably source it much cheaper. I have used oils previously and find this works just as well with the advantage that it's not oily.

Keep using your off hand, left for most, and soon you'll be just as proficient and confident with it as the dominant hand. You'll do better using both hands because you'll have more options for those hard to get areas.