Thread: First Full SR Shave

Well this morning I had my first full SR shave from start to finish. I am totally hooked!! I have far less irritation than I ever did with my DE. I got a little bit due to the fact that I took three passes trying to figure out how to attack certain areas of my face, but now Im pretty sure that I can get away with just two passes next time which Im sure will lead to less irritation. I've also found out that I need to use more water in my lather as oppose to the less water that worked with my DE.

I would like to give a big thanks to Wullie who allowed me to borrow a couple of razors while he worked on getting mine sharpened up for me. Today I used one of his vintage G. Wostenholm straights that gave me such a good shave. So again, thanks Wullie!

Im actually looking forward to my next shave! I didnt even get too many little nicks today which I was very proud of!

I do have a quick question for some of the veterans here. The hair on my neck grows from the point of my jaw under my ear, at a downward angle toward my adam's apple. Is there a trick or an easy way to get that area good and smooth?

Congratulations on a great first SR shave!!

That area under the chin and jaw line is the hardest for most people and the only way to get it smoother is really good skin stretching and also against the grain (ATG) or across the grain (XTG) passes. Save those passes for when you've had a few more good shaves, for now use a DE or cart razor to touch up those areas.

Thanks Rod, the idea of the DE for those areas on my neck was something I had thought about if it bothered me or became an issue. Today, my face is really smooth and looks just as good as if I had used a DE (better if you take into account the lack of irritation), the little remaining stubble is only noticeable if I run my hand down my neck and even then its not too bad. I may try and focus more on removing more hair with my downward (WTG) passes. Im just so used to having to do a dual pass shave over my entire face and neck to get a smooth shave, and now with the SR, it seems that there are areas that I'll be able to get away with just a good single pass. Im definitely going to have to play around with my technique and shave patterns to be able to get it down perfect, but that shouldnt be a problem because I knew there would be a learning curve and now that Im hooked on the quality of shave I can get on my own, I'll never go back.

It took me a long time in those areas as my beard lays almost flat against my skin. Most days I can easily get away with a single pass, but to get there took several months of improving techniques.

Unless I'm in a serious hurry, I always use a SR these days.

Well done I completed my first full shave yesterday as well. My neck grows in strange patterns and so far the only way I can get it properly smooth is with good streching and a ATG pass but with practice if you're ok with just looking great you'll do that fine with just a WTG pass.

Well I figure that for the time being, as smooth as I got on my first shave will be good for now while I perfect my technique. I dont want to over do it and leave my skin raw from making too many passes trying to get entirely smooth. Im sure that eventually, with time and practice, I'll be able to get a great smooth shave that makes non wet-shavers jealous.

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

I dont want to over do it and leave my skin raw from making too many passes trying to get entirely smooth.

This is smart. When I first started straight shaving I was determined I was going to get my chin smooth and worked that sucker over and over. Ouch!

Congratulations on your first full shave!