My conversion began yesterday

Christmas Day. Package from whippeddog came in Dec 24, just in time.

Got up Christmas Day, decided to dive right in. Hot shower, some hair conditioner on the face.

Didn't/don't have a scuttle, per se, but a small glazed clay bowl my daughter had made a couple years ago made well enough.

Lathered, hot towel for about a minute or so, lather again, and begin.

Took about twenty minutes, and only a few nicks. I ended up relathering several times, trying to go xtg, atg, *tg. ....

Overall, I considered it a success. Cheeks went fine, pretty close. Under the neck, just could not get the results I was after, but did not permanently disfigure myself.

I realize this is only the first shave, and am willing to accept the learning curve.

However, In going up the curve, should I just keep after it with the straight? In my mind, if I have to switch to some other method (the cartridge I have handy) after my straight razor efforts, its sorta like admitting defeat in a small way.

Do you all find that it's easier to shave if you let it grow out a few days?

Sounds like a great success to me! Bravo! I also found it easier to shave with a couple of days worth of stubble. I've been shaving with a straight for about 4 years and as you I saw it as a defeat to use anything else so I haven't. I think it's partly a question of personality. For most people I would suggest to take it slow but for you, just go!
Good luck!

Congratulations!! In no time at all
you will be shaving like an old pro.

To me it "seems" easier with a couple
three days growth on my face.

Do keep it up and have fun...

Terry

Sounds like you are well on your way. I got my first straight exactly a year ago (Christmas 2011). I usually get up at 5 am and shower in the morning, so I found that I didn't want to rush in the morning and try to add a straight shave to my routine (initially, I was extremely slow). What I started doing was just using my straight on the weekends, when I had time to really enjoy the process and take my time, and use my DE during the week. It worked for me, although maybe my learning process has taken a lot longer than if I had just started shaving with a straight every day. Anyway, just do what feels good to you and go at your own pace. As my confidence has increased, so has my speed, although I still break out my DE when I am in a rush. I always find I get a nick or bad razor burn when I am in a hurry. If you have the time, go for it!

You did well for just jumping in like that. The learning curve is long, usually, and the recommended way to start is posted here First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki . I always thought if you needed to use a different type of razor to touch up your straight shave, so be it. You will eventually not need to do so.

Bob

Well done!

My first time I looke like a barber pole - you know white with red stripes.

If you keep it up I think you'll find what I have, there is nothing that even comes close to a straight razor shave. Nothing is as close, is as comfortable or lasts as long.

I agree with Bob, take your time and use a DE to hit the hard parts till you're comfortable with the straight, it's certainly not defeat. I started with using a straight on only the cheeks and finishing up with my DE until I felt I could shave my whole face without permanently disfiguring myself.

It was a long time before I was confident with my skill that I went ATG. I had a bad experience with that. When going ATG my razor would 'stick' a lot more than WTG and that caused me to slide sideways once and you can only imagine the result. I learned to use very short controlled strokes when going ATG and that helped immensely.

I also learned to rub my fingers across my face in different directions after a shave to see where the rough spots are. Facial hair grows uniquely on all of us and it's helpful to check its direction so you can more efficiently go ATG. What you think is ATG might not actually be so, so check.

I also found that using an oil based preshave, such as AOS preshave lotion is helpful. It seems to make the razor glide better. But that's just my opinion and others might not feel that way. For me I found that it works best if I put in on, rub in in briskly, and then strop, giving in time to really get in there. Then I rewet (lightly), lather, and shave.

Either way, don't be afraid to experiment. What works for some of us does not necessarily work for all. Take your time and enjoy!

I myself didn't take a step backwards and only used the straight when I started. I looked upon reverting to the plastic thingy allowing myself too much slack.

It took me a while before I introduced a DE as well; initially after using the straight for months it felt like I was a traitor! Only using a straight has the advantage in that when you touch your face in a contemplative manner throughout the day; you're reminded of what you need to work on as you feel stubble.

I shaved everyday when I started with a straight, but it's probably wiser to let your face rest for a day. I don't think it's any easier to let your hair grow out; in fact shaving a heavy growth with a straight (like shaving a well grown beard off) is of course more difficult than shaving a growth of only one day. However, resting one day can give your skin time to heal (it'll feel quite raw after shaving at first) and also have the added benefit of actually seeing the cut hairs on the cloth as you wipe the blade. Also, longer hair can add tactile and auditory feedback, esp with a full hollow razor (less so with a wedge).

[EDIT] BTW, it's probably really early to be trying for ATG; I'd wait for maybe two months before you tried that. However, if you DO wish to go ATG at this stage, I think it's beneficial to hold the razor REALLY lightly. I grip it between only thumb and forefinger for the ATG pass, so if it DOES 'dig in' the razor is more likely to give way rather than the blade cut into my skin. I use REALLY short stroked for the ATG pass, too; much longer strokes for some of the WTG; like down my cheeks for instance; that's almost one stroke only...

Thanks for the input and encouragement, men. Very much appreciated. Had my sweetheart pick me up some witch hazel at the local drugstore; I did notice a spot or two on the neck that was a little more raw than it normally is...Almost forgot the required documentation....
http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...ps76e0692a.jpg