Thread: First SR Shave

I like the idea of you using the comb as training wheels for the straight razor.

I have thought that it would actually make sense to market a training straight razor -- basically a straight with a completely dull-so-you-can't-hurt-yourself-or-your-strop edge. This way you could learn the motor skills of stropping and shaving but not risk cutting anything.

Yeah, I know it sounds a little silly to those who have never tried a straight razor before, (and maybe to some of the old pros that have forgotten how awkward starting out was) It felt pretty silly, but during my "false start" back in the late '70s I learned two things - A factory "shave ready" blade isn't, and - when you're looking in the mirror at a part of your face, and wondering how to get a blade to it (which hand? forehand? backhand?) without removing any of your facial features, using a sharp razor to see if your plan will work is not the best idea.........

Shave #3 today; used both hands, and did the right side of my neck. Left hand still isn't ready for the neck yet. With a moustache and a goatee, that means I did 3/4 of a whole pass. My cheeks came out pretty good! Did a lousy job on my neck, but it didn't burn much, so I'm calling it a victory.

agree with the comments about learning how to hold the blade while looking in the mirror is really difficult, at least for me! It looks so easy in the videos, but you really can't see much of yourself in the mirror.

The other thing I keep re-learning (the hard way) is that positioning the blade on your face, and keeping it still there while you figure out your strategy, is also not a good idea. Those blades are so sharp that simply resting them on the face, with any pressure at all, will make them dig in.

I, like you, had a false start, I think in the late 80s, and am now a couple months (hit and miss) into my re-attempt. Actually did better in terms of not cutting myself the first 2 weeks, and then I think I started to get cocky. I have been putting some really nasty-looking gashes into my face to where it is embarrassing at work. I have to keep my hand on my cheek, in a thoughtful, sort of scholarly way, just to cover them up!

I decided to take 5 days off for facial healing and start over, so am just doing WTG single passes for a while. Today only got one gash, and was under my chin so not visible, so that is a win.

I have had a lot of burning as well and realized from advice on this site that I was applying too much pressure. I could have sworn I wasn't, but I was. Live and learn.