Thread: How long?

The first time I shaved with a straight I could not wait to do it again. I would guess by the third time I was pretty confident, but it took me about 20 shaves before I could claim to get *AS* smooth as my previous multi-bladed razor *every time*.

I have worked with very sharp blades for quite a few years (carving, honing, and competitive cutting). I feel that my confidence with a sharp blade may have played into my quick learning. I am not sure how fast I picked it up compared to other shavers, but I felt like I picked it up faster than I expected

That said...I feel like I learn something new every time I shave, hone, or strop.

Took about two months to get to where I could go against the grain on my chin without nicking myself a bit here and there, but it will happen no matter how long you use straights. Like driving a car; if you drive enough you will eventually have an accident. I quit shaving with disposables right before the mach 5 or fusion or whatever it is came out (used a mach 3). I could only do 1 pass WTG with the cartridge or I would get horrible razor burn and ingrown hairs...heck I would only shave once or twice a week, and go with a shadow the rest of the time it sucked so much!

After one week I was baffled. After one month I was less so. After 6 months I became an expert. After 1 year I was less sure. After 2 years I realised I had a lot to learn. After 5 years I knew I had only scratched the surface. Nowadays I just do the best I can

James.

I think of it more as my new Hobby. It just makes shaving a LOT more fun and the 'manliness' comments are absolute... I just feel more like what I consider my Grandfather and Great Grandfather were as men. The funny thing is I've spoken with many men in their 80's and 90's and none so far have said they used a straight razor... All Safety Razors. So, that part ia just really the coolest hook of all... You are doing something not many men in the last 90 years have done commonly!

Timeline wise... I think it varies a lot. Before I started I saw videos and posts that said 50 shaves to get anywhere close to comfortable. Regarding quality of the shave... I use a Mach 3 to shave my head and tight around my goatee. Obviously, having a goatee makes things easier as it cuts out the majority of the difficult spots. I feel I get as good or slightly better quality with a straight razor shave in one pass as I do with a Mach 3. As I get more comfortable with multiple passes I'm sure that will improve a lot!

I have been at it around 3 months and can shave well with a straight, can easily strop for maintenance and have been successfully honing to shaving sharp for a few weeks getting small improvements each time I do it!

I started this whole thing buying a $15 brush and soap combo about 18 months ago in order to decrease the trash I was creating and it took me a year to go through two pucks of soap. The razors I am shaving with are 90+ years old and I'm learning to rpeair/restore now.

Just a total blast in my opinion!

I've been shaving with a straight for about 1 month now and am at the point where I no longer worry about slicing my face up. I seemed to catch on rather quickly with shaving, stropping and honing and I am even comfortable using my non-dominant hand. I am doing two or three passes during a shave depending on circumstance and am getting very close and smooth shaves. You will be amazed at how fast you will adapt in just a few weeks.

Originally Posted by Prahston

I think of it more as my new Hobby. It just makes shaving a LOT more fun and the 'manliness' comments are absolute... I just feel more like what I consider my Grandfather and Great Grandfather were as men. The funny thing is I've spoken with many men in their 80's and 90's and none so far have said they used a straight razor... All Safety Razors. So, that part ia just really the coolest hook of all... You are doing something not many men in the last 90 years have done commonly!

Timeline wise... I think it varies a lot. Before I started I saw videos and posts that said 50 shaves to get anywhere close to comfortable. Regarding quality of the shave... I use a Mach 3 to shave my head and tight around my goatee. Obviously, having a goatee makes things easier as it cuts out the majority of the difficult spots. I feel I get as good or slightly better quality with a straight razor shave in one pass as I do with a Mach 3. As I get more comfortable with multiple passes I'm sure that will improve a lot!

I have been at it around 3 months and can shave well with a straight, can easily strop for maintenance and have been successfully honing to shaving sharp for a few weeks getting small improvements each time I do it!

I started this whole thing buying a $15 brush and soap combo about 18 months ago in order to decrease the trash I was creating and it took me a year to go through two pucks of soap. The razors I am shaving with are 90+ years old and I'm learning to rpeair/restore now.

Just a total blast in my opinion!

Yer thats cool, Im going to see Jamie who lives not too far from me, and he is going o show me how to hone. Im really looking forward to seeing his Razors too. He customises Japanese Razors, guess he is a Samurai at heart :-)

Originally Posted by Jimbo

After one week I was baffled. After one month I was less so. After 6 months I became an expert. After 1 year I was less sure. After 2 years I realised I had a lot to learn. After 5 years I knew I had only scratched the surface. Nowadays I just do the best I can

James.

Thats the right way to say it, and so tru!!
There is no time limit to learn, stil learning after al those years! Have fun whit your shaves.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

After one week I was baffled. After one month I was less so. After 6 months I became an expert. After 1 year I was less sure. After 2 years I realised I had a lot to learn. After 5 years I knew I had only scratched the surface. Nowadays I just do the best I can

James.

hilarious.....

I did a complete immersion and shaved every day for two months with a straight, after a month every shave was passable, after two months BBS most of the time. After four years I'm still learning things and getting better. I don't worry about BBS anymore, but I can get it any time I want now.