I wanted to resurrect this thread for a minute. It might help some people.
I had my
first straight shave on 9/29/12. As you can see, I was full of problems. Then later I started this thread here wondering if I would ever get as close as my DE. I shave every 2/3 days on average.
Since 9/29 I have used my DE only a few times when I am in a bit of a rush. Well, this morning I was in a rush and pulled out the DE with a feather blade. I wanted to share some observations from a guy who started new to 4 months later:
- I am closer with my straight than I have ever been with my DE. Hard to believe but it happened. The exception to this is under my lower lip. Must be the safety bar that flattens that spot so well.
- I took it slow but I make three passes without hardly any problems.
- I used to nick myself several times with each shave. I actually cut myself (like an inch long slice) maybe 3-4 times total. Now, I usually can make it with only one or two nicks. Sometimes none (still a bit rare).
- When I started it took me almost an hour for two passes. It takes me 30 min now for 3 passes.
- I'm MUCH better at making a lather now across multiple different soaps. They are all a little different but you get far better at it as you learn.
- I LOATHE using a cartridge now. I don't really know why but I get the worst shaves with them. I still need them for when I travel by plane (I never check on baggage) but they just plain suck.
- I don't hone (yet). I wanted to reduce the variables and I'm not ready to hone just yet but I intend to.
- I started with a vintage razor from my grandfather and a "Poor Man's Strop".
- In December I bought a new Dovo Bismarck and got a very nice 3" strop. I use this pretty much exclusively now.
- I have a hard time shaving with my vintage blade I started out with. I don't know why. Maybe I ruined the edge learning. I have tried a balsa strop with CrOx but it didn't seem to help. Might have to send it out again.
- Finally, this forum is so unbelievably helpful for beginners - USE IT! I used to post alot and these guys all go me riding my bike for the first time. After a couple months, I posted less but kept reading. These guys know what they speak of and the volumes of info in here is so valuable!
I'm typing this to encourage anyone else just starting. I'm hardly an expert and I'm still learning alot but there is hope if you stick with it!