My first attempt!

[AlliumSativum]

Well, it didn't go according to plan. have stopped and taken the blade out and have a practise with the razor that way.... just to get the feel for it but more importantly to find out the best way for me to use the razor so i can see what the heck i am doing!

think i have got it so will have another try later on. it is not as easy as i thought it would be but i'm sure that i will get the the technique that works best for me. will let you know how i get on after i have tried again.

G.

[pfries]

Don't fret we all start some where, take your time it will come.
Watch the vidieos, granted they make it look easy but in time it will be.
Welcome to the forum
Pat

[AlliumSativum]

I got a little bit flustered and will try again tomorrow because i want a clear head when i try, besides my wife was trying to offer up some advice that just made me a little bit peeved! so out with the electric for a shave.

However i haven't given up just a little more determined to do improve on the previous attempt. Unfortunately videos eat my limited bandwidth but i have seen some in the past, just trying it out for the very first time was a little frustrating, hence the practice without a blade. I do feel comfortable with one hand either side of my face so at least i don't need to learn to be ambidexterous!

Thanks for the welcome, Pat.

G.

[AlliumSativum]

Had another go at this straight razor shaving so here is how I got on - before I explain how it went it's probably better to divulge what it is I am using exacttly! Bluebeard's Revenge shavette with some Derby single edge blades in a box of 100 and I got some Alum block. I have a cheapish shaving brush which is made by Wilkinson Sword and then some Boots branded shaving soap.

Well there was little bit more satisfaction today after a bit of practise yesterday unbladed to figure out the best way to use the razor without blocking my vision. So what did I actually achieve today? The sideburn area down the cheek either side of my face and down the neckline slightly has been shaved, along with the moustache area.

Unattempted as yet: The chin area I have left alone and will finish off with the electric shaver because I feel as though I have done enough for a first attempt or second attempt if we are being exact! I also have not attempted the throat area.

What are my first impressions of shaving with a straight razor/shavette? After initial disappointment and feeling of disastrous failure, things have improved and in fact the quality of shave is unsurpassed by any cartridge based wet shave. The areas I have tackled with the straight razor feel more smooth and that only encourages me to practise more.

I did have a very tiny 'nick' on my right cheek side just level with the bottom of my earlobe in indexfinger's width in on the cheek. That was using my right hand for both sides. At least it wasn't as bad as the nightmare I had a few nights earlier about shaving with one of these things, as in the dream the cheek was cut deep and the skin rolling off the cheekbone and I'm trying desperately to hold the flesh up on my face!

What is my assessment of straight razor shaving? Well to be perfectly honest, I certainly feel that if anyone has never tried a straight razor before, to go out and buy a shavette first. Learn the technique, no worries about stropping and honing. I could have easily given up on it yesterday and chucked it all in the bin.

I'm rather glad that I stuck with it. Rome was not built in a day, and it will be similar for most people attempting their first shave with a straight razor. At least I don't feel disappointed about it all now like I did yesterday. I think you just need to let it come to you.

G.

[Mikishots]

Yep, me too. After shakily carving a strip down my cheek that first time, I felt a twinge of regret, thinking "what have I gotten myself into?"

Second time was better. Third time more so. Now I'm addicted.

[AlliumSativum]

Not long finished my shave. It's going okay(ish) as I'm feeling confident enough to do the sideburn area all the way down the cheeks and moustache area. Been on the throat area and find that is okay to do. The chin area needs some practise! As soon as I nicked it I stopped as I'd rather not have a face looking like chopped ham.

Now it is either down to my inexperience that I have nicked it, or perhaps the razorblade is too old. I was going to change the blade for the next shave anyway, but perhaps these Derby blades are only good for one shave? Inexperience is leading me to ask that question. Although I feel comfortable enough with the blade, perhaps next shave with a new blade will help me figure it out, although any answers here would prove extremely helpful!

I probably hold the world record for slowest straight shave ever! But it is something that I cannot rush, and happily take my time only lathering part of my face at a time.

The resultant shave is one that is nice and smooth where I have shaved and there is no razor burn, which leaves me with a pleasant experience of shaving especially as it always seemed a chore to do. This is different. Hopefully soon I will manage a complete shave with the straight!

[pfries]

The chin is one of the more difficult areas to master, sounds to me like you are doing fine.
Was the blade pulling/tugging on your cheeks etc. I used to get several shaves out of the blades for my shavett but it is one of those YMMV things.

[AlliumSativum]

The chin is one of the more difficult areas to master, sounds to me like you are doing fine.
Was the blade pulling/tugging on your cheeks etc. I used to get several shaves out of the blades for my shavett but it is one of those YMMV things.

I'm more concentrated on keeping blade angle discipline and feeling how much/little pressure I need for a shave. The blade felt fine on the cheek area but as soon as I ventured to the chin it feelt like it was tugging then I made the mistake and cut!

It didn't feel quite so glideful on the moustache area as it did on the previous shave, so perhaps it could very well be the blades. I suppose 100 blades for about £4.50 is on the cheapskate scale and at the pricepoint 1 blade for 1 shave. Might be worth my while going to the local chemist and getting a pack of Wilkinson Sword for comparison.

I feel like I am about to travel a long path to shaven enlightenment!

[JeffLemucchi]

Keep up the good work. Geofatboy of ShaveNation.com says it takes about 100 shaves to become proficient. I've been at it four months now, and while I feel pretty confident, I'm still learning.

[Jmveness]

one thing that really seemed to help me overall but especially when I was first figuring out the challenges of my chin, was WHERE on the blade i should shave. I realized that I was using way too much of the blade to shave my chin and needed to get comfortable using a smaller part. So I tried the toe....that didn't go well but seemed to work around the mouth. Then I tried the heel and that gave me a measure of success but was harder to get consistency. Then I found the middle of the blade actually worked really we on my chin... the rest is history.