Thread: The journey has begun!

Just completed my first ever straight razor shave. I did the whole shave, face, neck, upper and lower lip. I used both left and right hand. No casualties. I must admit I only did with the grain this first time. Looks like I,m hooked.

Stay sharp,
ljhblues

Good job. But don't get overconfident. The straight will humble you quick. There are those who have cut themselves and those that are going to. So will you, but don't get discouraged. Go slow, real slow, and keep the skin pulled tight always. Don't worry about learning to hone until after a couple of months. Your edge will last that long anyway. Then send it out to a honemaster to get the bevel set right.

Congrats sir!

I joined last week, and hacked my chin good on the first shave. So I will join jbtusa and just throw in the hint of a warning that the SE can humble you pretty quickly. After the hackathon, I followed the advice of many here and used the SE only on my sideburns/cheeks and a little on the neck, and using my old disposable on my moustache and chin, for about a month or so until I really get comfortable with it.

But warnings aside, welcome to the league of extraordinarily shaven gentlemen.

No cuts, no drips, no band aids . . . you did say this was your FIRST shave, are sure you had the sharp side of the blade against your face??

it's coming friend, oh yes it's coming...just take a look at the cut of the day thread for inspiration But until then, good job and stay with it, it really does only get better from here.

Mr. Blues,
Welcome to SRP, glad to have you on board! The journey does indeed begin, congrats on your first shave. As all have indicated, it's like riding a motorcycle. It's not if you'll go down, but when! Some cuts are going to happen, but they happen to all of us, so expect it, but try to avoid it by taking your time, think about what you're going to try and when in doubt, stop and evaluate. My worst cuts have come from over confidence and moving too fast through a stroke that I shouldn't have tried. It can be frustrating, exhilarating, fun, and downright depressing at times. That's what makes it so dang much fun. If it was easy everybody would be doing it. Honestly, it's not as hard as we some times MAKE it and you're in for a lot of fun and satisfaction. Reading through our wiki will give you some great tips and help. Read up, search, and ask when in doubt. If I can ever help, just let me, or any of the mentors or moderators, or members know and we'll be glad to offer any assistance we can!! Enjoy, and again, WELCOME!!!

Best Regards,
Howard

Congratulations! Enjoy the journey.

I am eagerly awaiting my first shave, once my razor and gear arrives I can join the club officially. I am glad to hear all went well for you, I hope I have the same first shave results. What razor and gear do you have?

Hey congrats. I'm in the same boat. After some practice runs. Did my first full WTG shave today, one small nick. Won't lie, it made me stop and think for a minute.

Keep on keepin on.

Of course you're hooked, everyone is hooked, how can we not be? Best part is you get better and better, and there's so many things to get better at; making lather, shaving, honing, stropping, choosing aftershaves, buying aftershaves, buying soaps, buying creams, buying razors, buying hones, buying strops, talking about razors, talking about honing, talking about strops, talking about.......