Baby steps, but successful ones!

[Melbourne12]

I decided to introduce myself to the world of straight razor shaving via a Feather RG shavette with Pro Guard blades. Not exactly the real thing, but I guess that the techniques are pretty similar. And I didn't want to buy strops and hones until I was convinced that I could do a half decent job.

The razor and blades arrived yesterday, so this morning I watched Lynn Abrams' video for beginners one last time, assembled the Feather plus my trusty Merkur Futur DE, and had a go. I started just with the right sideburn and down to the jawline as recommended, WTG only. Wow! I couldn't resist extending it a little further on the right hand side. Then tried the left, which I know I shouldn't really have done on day 1.

I got out while I was winning and finished with the DE. But all day I've been running my hand over the BBS parts of my face left by the Feather, and chuckling. My wife has accused me of being vain. Vanity isn't a big danger for blokes as ugly as I am, so this was a first.

I'm convinced. No DE comes close, even with multiple passes. I'll stick with the Feather for now, and maybe learn to strop properly before moving up to the real thing.

[Chevhead]

Awesome!
I myself am never one to listen to conventional wisdom and shaved my whole face the first time around.
Again like you with a disposable blade razor.
I got a few nicks but all in all it wasn't bad!
I am HOOKED and ordered a "starters kit" and am waiting patiently for it to arrive.
I don't think I am EVER GOING back!

[MickR]

Well done mate, a good start.


Mick

[grayman11]

I didn't listen either and shaved almost my whole face on my first go only using a DE for my chin. It went ok and your body will replace any blood lost so who cares lol

[larrybob]

I have been learning with a straight razor for about two months. At first I only tried once a week ( Needed time to heal )
now I am going daily, adding more area every few days, but still finishing with a DE.

[stevel2w1]

Hi All, I am very new to the straight razor and having looked at the comments here I think I need to take baby steps too. I got my first straight razor( brand name Solingen on the handle). I tried it the first time with a good prep and lather with a badger hair brush and sandalwood shave cream. But i felt like it was tugging on my whiskers quite a bit so I stopped and went back to my 5 blade fusion for the rest of the shave. I bought a leather strop and when it arrived I followed Geofatboys you tube vid and stropped the razor. I've tried it again and managed to make a couple of nice razor lines on my right cheek and jawline but it seemed a little better ( less drag) but i'm wondering whether to send it to be honed? The site I got it from didn't state that it was honed and shave ready so i'm assuming it was not. How will I know if it is shave ready, being very much a newbie to this.... Any help and guidance from you more experienced straight razor users on here would be greatly received. I've searched you tube videos for answers but ended up been totally confused!! Is there any way to shave with a straight razor using only the dominant hand? ( mine being right) I find it really awkward to grip the razor in my left hand and using it to shave my face in my left hand even more so. Sorry guys, I know you must get loads of posts from newbies like me but I want to embrace the straight razor and master it, with hope of achieving the " best shave" i have read so much about.

Thanks
Steve

[grayman11]

I'd send it to be honed mate it dosn't sound like it was truly shave ready.
Also almost everyone else will tell you to learn with your weaker hand but I use only my Left (dominant hand) (I do this for a reason I won't go into now) for my entire face it is just about working out how to get the correct angle on the "wrong" side of your face and being brave enough to do a few sections by feel as your arm across your face will block you seeing the mirror! lol

[MickR]

Steve, as Grayman has said, I'm going to recommend that you try to incorporate the non dominant hand, especially if the only impairment is a feeling of awkwardness. Having said that, you do what feels right for you. Abnd get that razor honed by a pro. It won't matter if you shave like crap, at least you'll know it isn't the razor that is at fault that first time . It's all about finding out where the problems lie and correcting them.


Mick

[stevel2w1]

Thanks Guys, I will send my razor off to be honed professionally. Like you say, it is a good start to do that, at least I will know the razor is not at fault and it will be my technique
Any suggestions as to a good place to get it honed in the UK?

[England]

Only two places I know of in the UK. Both will do a sterling job...

Introduction to razors

Strop-Shop.Co.UK

Where in the UK are you ?